TNT at Division 2 Nationals!

So here we are, Sunday evening after a weekend of round white things
all over the shop (not UFO's).
In case you dont know the story, after regionals when the presentations were being held, I snuck (snook?????) outside to
Strange Blues mode of transport (a group of well trained magpies) and put them in a very nice pie.  Up until this day, Strange Blue are wondering around Clifton Campus trying to figure out how to get home.  So to cut a long story short, we ended up taking their place at regionals.

Game 1 - Halcyon  Lost 10-2

Unfortunately Rich made it just before our first game, as I was looking forward to playin in my jeans and my (ancient Indian) Moccasins.

The team with the unpronounceable name from Manchester Uni came out all professional like and convincingly beat us.  We were not really on the ball for this game.  We did however pull ourselves together and almost matched them point for point by the end.  Special mentions to Emily for running as fast as Chris Akabussi (from record breakers)  without breaking a sweat, and I have been given permission to mention my no look push pass over someones head to score which left Emily "all warm inside". They were actually a very spirited team although they didnt wanna do a call.

Game 2 - BUF  Lost 10-4
This was a similar game to regionals, I think it was 3-3 but they they really pulled away from us.  These guys look like clones.  Our
three man handling weaving was working really well but our endzone defense got torn apart.  Owen did a very slidy layout (he waxes).  We actually did better against these then Dark Horses who played them in the final! (BUF again didnt wanna do calls).

Game 3 - Disciples  Lost 9-4
This team from Bradford had our Flyght Club friends Dave and Tom in and it was a very spirited game.  Their long discs and awesome catches technique was something we never got to grips with.  Our O was really hot, and we managed to score infrequent but very beautiful points.

Game 4 - Disco  Lost 10-4
This was our most surprising loss, the score is a bit easy on us I think.  I think some teams just do better against some, and im not
too sure how they beat us so easily.  We had a few handling problems which led to a positive change introducing two wings and a deep play.  They complemented us on our 2 man cup zone which was nice. This game was also very spirited and there were quite a few spectacular grabs going on.

Game 5 - Sheffield Hallam  Lost 5-4
This was our joint worst performance of he weekend.  They had one guy who kept on pushing us and they got really arsy whenever any fouls were called.  Their overall attitude stank.  Our zone worked well against them but they scored their
points well and maintained their composure, something we tend to struggle with.

The Party
But what party I hear you cry???? Its nationals you say???? Yeah, well you'd be right, the party was a bit lame.  We stayed out till 1am and were the last team to leave!  Spent the night in 3 different wetherspoons establishments in the town of Sheffield (probably one of my top 10 fields) where team bonding a plenty occurred upon the subjects of rimming and other such erotic topics.  We also witnessed Rich's awe-inspiring magic skills and Ricky's rather disappointing party trick  (we love you man).  Oh yeah, and Chaz almost took a piss in the sink, capiche?

Sunday
Game 6 - Sublime  Lost 5-4
A few ridiculous out calls in this game led us to dislike their spirit but it was still a fun game.  Definitely improved on our saturday performance, our zone was really hot and we were flowing much better as a team.  Chaz got a great score where he felt a knee
tucked layoutdive was appropriate.  They said they couldn't tell we had any freshers of which we had 4, so big up to yourselves.

Game 7 -Mythago  Won 8-7

This was the culmination of all our progress, we flowed so well and our zone was awesome.  We were 6-2 down and pulled it back.  The game got so serious Owen had to take off his Australia hat.  They scored just before the buzzer leading to a very panicky sudden death with about 4 turnovers.  Rich got the D interception and then scored the winning point.  Special mention goes to Chaz and tom for their layout into each other and still catch it point and I've been given permission to quote `Correspondent Tom' for me doing "one of the best scoobers ever" and they were indeed, in full dramatic flow.  Also, Dave had some awesome `scramble' catches.  Everyone watchin was cheering for us which was awesome.

Game 8 (for Spoon)- Hallam  lost 7-4

Quite annoying after the high of our win.  I think we got a little nervous and were making bad decisions regarding throwing, catching and cutting.  Once again, these guys punished us for our mistakes. Shame to end the day like this, but meh.

Conclusion
Overall am very happy.  I think we showed that we can stick it in Div2 and are fully expecting to be there next year with a team for the future that should be really strong come next year.  I'd like to mention Paddy's good discs and sensible play, Owens awesome grabs and D's, Ricky's good and quick cup work,  Dave's grabs and cutting, Chaz's layouts and throws, Emilys cup positioning and calm head, Adams cutting and awareness, Tom's D and throws, rich's endzone play on d and o.  Nice one guys!  Brrrrraaaap.
Gareth.  TNT Captain/President.