Thursday, April 29, 2004

It's like 1998 all over again. 18 people played last nights regs night, and since we never have the time to rotate, or sit games out, that meant that we had 4 games of 9v9 E4. It was, let's just say, different. Although it would be much easier just to list the people who didn't play (Conor & Dave), I'll state the 18 participants: Al, Kev, John, Craig, Mikey, Colin, Blondie, Angela, Graham, Paddy, Ger, Karl, Warren, Keith, Zack, Peanut, Jamie, & Ben.

The first game (E4, 9v9, 30mins) didn't get underway until just before 8.30pm, and the teams were (badly) picked by Angela & Paddy. The teams were Angela, Kev, John, Blondie, Ger, Mikey, Zack, Colin, Jamie (Red) versus Paddy, Al, Craig, Graham, Warren, Keith, Karl, Peanut, Ben (Green). It was a close game throughout (and fun for those of us with free range in float) with the Green team just shading it by 47pts - 997 to 950.

The second game (E4, 9v9, 30mins) was the same teams, different colours (obviously), and both teams decided to basically stick with the same positions/tactics from the first game. This one was a lot more organised, although ultimately bad defending cost the Green team and the Reds won the this game by more than they won the first, clocking the scoreboard in the process. The result was 1046 to 939, a victory of 107pts for the leg, and 154pts overall.

Third Game (E4, 9v9, 30mins). Mikey and myself picked the teams for the 3rd game, and the teams were Mikey, Craig, Colin, Graham, Karl, Jamie, Ger, Peanut, Ben (Green) versus Kev, Al, John, Blondie, Paddy, Zack, Warren, Angela, Keith (Red). It was another tight game, although the Green team never looked like winning it since they could never break the constant 50pt lead that the Reds seemed to hold since the start. Although they rallied for a few minutes towards the end, they couldn't keep it up, and the Red team won out by 203pts - 1133 to 930.

The fourth game (E4, 9v9, 20mins) was only 20 minutes long, and was the same teams, different colours - most likely because everyone was too lazy to pick new teams. A slight change in tactics from the losers of the 3rd game proved to change their fortunes, and they won this one by 188pts - 828 to 660. Although they won that game, they lost overall in the 2 legs by 15pts (although the last game was only 20mins).

Highlights/Lowlights:

• The smell in the bases
• 60+ outshoots (twice)
• Quasar lessons from Al
• Double City
• Icing Zack
• Keith fearing for his safety
• My turning into Karl (now that's magic)

Upcoming Quasar: Well, there's Sunday Morning as usual, and it being a Bank Holiday on the 3rd of May, some Monday Morning Madness may be played. Then there's Regs Night next week. But before then, we may have played some Astro-Quasar-Football, and we'll know just how crap everyone is at 2 sports. News is still being awaited on possible American tournaments, while teams for South Shields should be sorted out pretty soon. "My team is way ahead of the weather machine and germ warfare divisions."

Kev @ 11:44 AM [+]

Thursday, April 22, 2004

I "forgot" to do an update on last week's Regs Night, which was incidentally a very good one - with 13 people - Al, Conor, Dave, Kev, Colin, Blondie, Craig, Mikey, Angela, Paddy, Zack, Ben & Keith playing. We managed to get 4 × 30 minute E4 games in, and they were of a high standard.

Back to the present (or recent past) and yesterday's Regs Night had another good turnout. 13 people yet again (Conor, Karl or Blondie would've made 14) who were Al, Dave, Kev, Craig, Colin, Zack, Angela, Paddy, Ger, Peanut, Warren, Keith & Ben. 4 × E4 30 minute games as usual, and it was another very good regs night (almost worth the ?8.90!).

First Game: Al, Kev, Paddy, Zack, Craig & Angela (Red) versus Dave, Colin, Ger, Peanut, Warren, Keith & Ben (Green). It was a close game throughout, with neither team dominating in any area, but the Green team's extra player in attack proved to be the deciding factor, since they got almost 10 more bases than their counterparts. The Green team won out in the end by 33pts - 863 to 830.

Second Game: Same teams, different colours. And this time is was much different, thanks to better play from the losers of the first game, and some just plain brainless tactics from the Red team. The Green team won this one by 215pts, despite having one less player.

Third Game: New teams were picked by Angela & Paddy (let's not let them pick again) and we were left with Al, Dave, Ger, Paddy, Zack, Keith (Green) versus Kev, Craig, Angela, Warren, Colin, Peanut & Ben (Red). Another close game throughout, although it seems that once again the extra man proved decisive - The Red team won by 59pts.

Fourth Game: Same teams, different colours, and more of the same really, although the Green team (Red last time) were leading the game quite comfortably for 20-25 minutes, but almost threw it away with some in-fighting towards the end. 29 bases isn't bad though (but it's no 31!). The Green team won by 48pts.

Until next week, although I might be playing SMC (keyword = might, since laziness, bed and apathy could very well have a large part to play)."Hey, landlord! Some clown changed my locks, padlocked the door, and put on an eviction notice!"

Kev @ 11:49 AM [+]

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

We had a "Monday Morning Madness" 2 days ago, on Easter Monday, with 11 people showing up to pay & play, from 10am - 1pm. They were Al, Kev, Blondie, Keith, Warren, Zack, Ger, Paddy, Ben, Martin & Ed. 6 games of E4 were played (15 & 20mins) and I'm damned if I can remember enough of them to give a sufficient "report". They weren't bad, and it was good fun as usual. The most memorable thing, though, was that in around the 3rd or 4th game, there was an accidental collision in the Arena (we haven't had one in a while) between Keith & Warren, which resulted in Warren getting a gun to the face, and having to go to hospital (where he got 3 stitches for a burst lip). Colin spent quite a while trying to clean the pack of all the blood. And it turns out that working afterwards isn't that bad.

Anyways, I will hopefully get the chance to put up the photos from the recent Bedford Pick-Em within the next couple of days, but if I don't, then God only knows when I will get around to it. Also, in case you forgot, Regs Night is tonight. "I am tired of these jokes about my giant hand. The first such incidents occurred in 1956 when..."

Kev @ 4:18 PM [+]

Thursday, April 08, 2004

Last night was a regs night more like the way it should be - good games, plenty of players, decent quality & a good laugh, the bad thing being we'll probably have to wait another couple of months for the next one :). Anyways, the 14 players were: Al, Kev, Dave, Conor, Craig, Mikey, Colin, Angela, Ger, Paddy, Zack, Warren, Keith, Ben. We played 3 × 30 mins games, and 1 × 20 mins game, all of which were E4, 7v7.

First game (E4, 7v7, 30mins) was the closest of the night, despite the fact that the Red team had a 100pt lead for a long spell! Anyway, the teams were Kev, Dave, Conor, Mikey, Ger, Warren & Keith (Red) versus Al, Craig, Colin, Angela, Paddy, Zack & Ben (Green). A comeback from the Green team (who let's face it, were getting killed) in the last 10 minutes saw them cut their deficit just enough to squeeze out a victory on the download, by 5pts.

Second game (E4, 7v7, 30mins) was the same teams, different colours, and was very nearly a reverse of the first game. This time round, the Red team (Al, Craig, Colin, Angela, Paddy, Zack & Ben) were leading throughout, and taking it kind of easy, but in the last few minutes the Greens (Kev, Conor, Dave, Ger, Mikey, Warren, Keith) came back, only just falling short. The Red team won by 12pts.

Third game (E4, 7v7, 30mins) was (for the second week in a row) the most onesided game of the night, with the teams being Al, Kev, Colin, Craig, Zack, Ger, Warren (Red) versus Dave, Conor, Mikey, Paddy, Angela, Keith & Ben (Green). The Red team won out in every area of the arena, and clocked the scoredboard on their way to a 314pt victory.

Fourth, and final, game (E4, 7v7, 20mins) was amazingly agreed as the same teams, different colours. This meant that Al, Kev, Colin, Craig, Zack, Ger, Warren were Green, while Dave, Conor, Mikey, Angela, Paddy, Keith & Ben were Red. The Green team won what was a comfortable wind-down game by 253pts.

Highlights of the night included:

• Al being stupid (thrice!!)
• Mikey getting a raw deal (twice!)
• Keith & Ben killing myself & Al (and laughing at us)
• Keith being so bad it's good for him :)
• Zack's outstanding outshoot :(
• Being a cocky bastard
• Clocking the scoreboard - it's been a while since I got to use those jokes...

As far as Quasar next week is concerned, it's SMC as usual this Easter Sunday, and hopefully we'll be able to have a Monday Morning Madness the next day. Then comes Regs Night on the 14th. Fingers crossed that someone will have made a decision as to when we'd have the "Final" in our challenge match series.

In competition news, South Shields have confirmed the dates for their next competition as the 26th & 27th of June 2004, which gives us plenty of time to get the people together, book flights and make sure that there'll be a strong Irish contingent. As far as American competitions are concerned, the possible Atlanta tournament this summer is now looking less likely, we're waiting for dates/confirmation from the Americans, but nothing seems to be developing quickly enough. "Ah, my plan has come to fruition. Soon I'll be queen of summertime. Er, king...King!"

Kev @ 11:34 AM [+]

Thursday, April 01, 2004

We had another frustrating Regs Night last night - in that 12 people in all showed up (enough for 6v6 E4), but only 9 of us played. Participants were Al, Kev, Conor, Colin, Zack, Warren, Peanut, Paddy & Keith, while those who didn't play were Dave (didn't want to mess up teams - lame excuse), Ger (no money - lame excuse) and Blondie (was tired, no gear - lame excuse). But at least they showed, and hopefully will all be able to play next week. On to the games so:

First game (Super 3, 4v4, 30mins) was Al, Colin, Paddy, Peanut (Green) versus Kev, Conor, Warren, Zack (Red). The Green team won by 99pts, with the game close for the first half, but the Greens wrestled control of the arena and gradually went in front.

Second game (Super 3, 5v4, 30mins) was basically the same teams, different colours, but with Keith having arrived. So the teams were Kev, Conor, Warren, Zack, Keith (Green) versus Al, Colin, Paddy, Peanut (Red). The Green team won by 13pts, proof that Keith is a 112pt player!

Third game (Super 3, 5v4, 30mins) was the most onesided game of the night, thanks to the team picking of Ger & Blondie. The teams were Al, Conor, Paddy, Zack, Peanut (Green) versus Kev, Colin, Warren & Keith (Red). The Green team won yet again, this time by 131pts.

Fourth game (Super 3, 4v4, 20mins) was set as the same teams, different colours, since Peanut had to go to get the bus, which left the sides balanced at 4 players each. So the teams were Kev, Colin, Warren, Keith (Green) versus Al, Conor, Paddy, Zack (Red). This was by far the closest game of the night, with the scores neck & neck throughout. It was won in the last minute however (thanks to a dead pack!?!) and the Green team came on top after the final download, by 12pts. Interestingly enough, to follow a recent trend, the Green team won every game last night. "Wow. Now I have four children. You will be called "Stitchface"."

Kev @ 11:27 AM [+]

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