Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Groundhog Day...

Another day, another hard fight and another loss after a tight game until the final stretch. Today can be filed under any of the following: frustrating, disappointing, nearly there, need a W! We were on at 11am playing a team from the Czech Republic called the Prague Devils. They had a host of familiar faces, players who've been playing at the top level of European for the past couple of decades and proved a strong opponent.

We began the game as we have done many at this tournament - confident, aggressive and relatively assured. Our O was flowing nicely and the D line was generating a lot of blocks, but unfortunately we didn't quite convert as many as we got, something that would haunt us later in the day. We traded for most of the half, ahead a break at one stage but went into half 8-6 down. We began on O and the game was close until about 10s. We then conceded 4 on the trot and with our ambitions went the game. Another 15-11 loss against an opponent we felt we could beat - tough times chez the Ranelagh massif.
Ranelagh & Prague Devils (Czech Republic)

After a chat and a long warm down we got the chance to watch some Ultimate, witnessing the biggest upset of the tournament as Canadian team Phoenix eked out a 14-13 win against the highly fancied Buzz Bullets from Japan. This results sends the Bullets in a direction that may well end up with them playing Clapham in the quarters - an unlucky by product of the upset for our UK mates. Elsewhere Emo sent Freespeed packing and Juggernaut (with our own Keith 'Spotty' Hodgson on board) shocked a strong Chevvy unit, sending them out of the top 16. Bad Skid, FAB & Bologna are some other teams in a similar position.
 
Ranelagh alumnus Keith playing for Melbourne's Juggernaut vs Chevron

LMS played their only game of the day at 5pm against Rogue from Australia. After a tight beginning the girls pulled away and a dominant second half saw them pull off their 2nd win of the week meaning they are currently top of their second pool with Nice Bristols to come. It was a polished and impressive performance full of character and hard work, not to mentioned a few layouts and hammers! Great to see them all playing with such focus and enjoying it too.
LMS' Rosie O'Mahony with a flying catch vs Rogue (Australia)

Another swim, a kebab and the daily gelato re-up and here we are, in the hotel looking for a bit of banter before an early night. Having my first beer of the week, hardly earned but hopefully it will be a catalyst for change  ;)  Onwards and upwards as the saying goes. Wellington Wildcats, see you at breakfast and then on the field...
LMS & Rogue Spirit Circle

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