Last weekend saw Paddy Murphy 2006 make it's Tour debut and saw us do it in some style too. After a lot of training and talking it was finally time to take to the pitch and play. 18 Paddys made the trip, although 1 was Statto for the weekend - Perfect's knee not quite as flawless as the rest of him apparently. Our first game of the weekend was against the 3rd seeds Chevron Action Flash. WE started a little slowly, perhaps expecting more from the Northern team but soon got to grips with them and started playing on our own terms. The O line consistently converted their scores leaving the D line to prove their worth and despite a slow start in the first half thats exactly what they did in the 2nd, getting turns and scoring from them. The game came down to a 'winner-takes-all' point with the score at 14-14 and Chevy on O. They worked the disc up and despite great defence eventually got the score to win 15-14. It should be mentioned that Chris Stokes was phenomonal in this game, easily leading by example.
The second game of the day came was against Fusion and given they were seeded 5th (and behind Chevy) we quite fancied our chances at an upset. Fusion had other ideas. Their offence was fast, structured and precise and their D was aggressive. They turned us repreastedly and scored long seemingly at will. They were the best team we faced by a long shot and deservedly ran out 15-3 winners. Unfortunately the loss brought with it a big cost - a Fusion defender somewhat clumsily (and without apology) crashed into Chris' ankle and ruled him out for the rest of the weekend. His hard training and perfect attitude had til then been proving that he's on top form with most of the squad agreeing he was our best player.
The final game of Saturday was a game we'd originally set our sights on. Ltd Release were only seeded 2 above us so we fancied our chances. Ther game started scrappily with bothe teams turning over a lot but the scores were ticking along with no team going further than a point ahead. After half Paddy's D got the turna and started converting and when the O was called upon they tucked away their scores with ease. The game was capped to 14 with the scores at 12-10 to PM. We got a turn and scored to go 13-10 up, then they scored to narrow it to 2 points. They went on to turn us twice and score twice to win 14-13 in what was a bitter loss to take. To ad insult to injury Brians elbow imploded, bled and swelled to imitate a tennis ball so he went to A&E. Day One was over and despite solid performaces we were empty-handed.
Saturday night was as tame as it gets - showers, food, a game of keepy up and highlights of Wimbledon were the big moments. Everyone was in bed by 12/12.30 and hardly 2 pints were drunk between us! The nex morning we were all hurting after Day 1 but with our A Tour status on the line we started the first match of the day agressively. Brians mates, the Janitors were the 11th seeds that we had to beat to avoid getting involved in a 13-16 dogfight. We started strongly but then they came back using a solid long game. We switched our D around and soon began to go on a run of points that we hekld until Offence closed it out to avoid a repeat of the Release game! Top 12 Ultimate gauranteed. Kieran further tweaked a groin injury and still gave hie all in this game but it was to be his last contribution to the weekend.
So then we were to face Sheffield Steal with a chance to have a crack at 9th place up for grabs for the winners. Last season Steal took took close games to stop Paddy Murphy going top 12 both times so payback was due. We warmed up well and entered the game in the right frame of mind, confident after the Janitors result. Suddenly we were 5-0 up and coasting. Half at 8-2. Not until they Junk Zoned us did we feel under pressuer and even then they bore little reward for their endeavours. 15-6 was the end score and arguably Paddys finest performance to date. Tadhg and Kieran ran to get their flight home and then there were 13. We played Discuits in our final game of the weekend only 25mins after the end of the Steal game so with little time to eat, warm doen and warm up properly. However we began brightly and took an early lead. They rallied and looked set to storm through to half but we battled back before they sealed the first half 8-7. The second half saw us wilt a little and their handlers started destroying our zone. In the end we were too tired and they finished a tough, spirited and competitive game well to win 12-8 (I think!).
So, with our first event of the year we get 10th place, highest finish yet in a Tour by PM. We scared Chevy and were unlucky against Release. We paid Steal back and beat Janitors. The question is how much better can we do next time??
paddy...
PADDY...
PAAAADDDDDDDYYYY!!!!
