There were two teams entered in the 2004 TUC. This championship was played as a series, with one round every 3rd Sunday (more or less). Games were played from 8:45-10:00am with warmups occasionally starting by 8:30am. In addition to TUC games, there were some Nationals training sessions held occasionally on some Sundays from 8-10am.
The rules for the 2004 TUC are basically the WFDF rules with a few minor variations.
The 2004 TUC was played every 3 weeks, more or less.
The two teams which contested the TUC in 2004 were:
| Team Name | Eh Team | Hot'n'Spicy Relish |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform | Black shirt, non-matching socks, colourful hat | Red shirt |
| Captain | Tom | Shavawn |
| Women | Kate Bull Sarah Robinson Kate Godber Catherine Reid Rachel Philpot Sabrina |
Shavawn Donoghue Ashleigh Martens Lucy Line |
| Men | Tom Caldwell Mike Baker Dave Cooke Stew Wilde Alex DeVries David Griffin Jeff Dunn Jemery Day Joe Boyer Ian Townsend |
Stan Robert Ken Suber Asher Gentle Felix Kennedy Aaron Pinkus Lokman Yunos Tim Phillips Frank Toman Patrick Dunne Matt Petrie John Kristensen |
The first round of the 2004 TUC was held on May 16, with white shirts comprehensively beating dark shirts 14-6. It was a mild and still morning, the teams looked equal on paper, dark shirts had the only sub, and light shirts had the two new players (Aaron & Lokman). The game was not played with much tactical sophistication; the outcome (in the view of this commentator) was due to light having more players with both fast legs AND experience. A couple of fresh faces in the next game could change the balance...
Well another stressful shock to the system Sunday session, otherwise known as TUC, was played last weekend with some interesting consequences (unless of course you don't play Frisbee, in which case this article will seem to be, and actually is, quite boring! (too sympathise with these people who just happen to be the major majority of the population, one equivalent would be Frisbee players trying to read and get exited about "English Quilting Monthly"* especially the article on page 96 where Margaret attempts to semi cross stitch a half woven patch with a linen unorthodox cross pattern!)) Anyway back to Sunday, Hot and Spicy Relish and EH underwent the 2nd leg of this epic battle in what was a freezing morning, all players turned up rugged up with some even wearing gloves (well, Alex had gloves, the rest toughed it out). The score of 13-9 to EH didn't quite reflect the nature of the game in which Relish absolutely dominated and flayed throughout the first half [ in fact Eh Team took the half 9-8 having been 4 points down early on, but lets not let facts get in the way of a good story!] while in the 2nd, a few more points were scored by EH.
The first half failure of EH can of course be blamed on Mike Baker purely because he is now on a field trip for 4 weeks and can only defend himself via e-mail (a sure sign of guilt if he decides to do so) but seriously both teams played really well and the game can probably be broken down into less turnovers from Relish in the first half and greater endurance and conversions from EH in the 2nd. Another great point is the huge improvement in standard from the new players (not that they were really bad before, just mildly off shall we say) even though every player not just beginners are constantly improving their hand skills it was great to see the tactical positioning and running elements being used with great effect.
Some highlights were:
Thanks to all those who turned up and an anti-thankyou to those who didn't - this means you, Stan and Joe.
*No offence in any way is intended to readers and subscribers or writers and editors of "English Quilters Monthly" if the magazine does actually exist.
Hot'n'Spicy had a sub while Eh played savage. The score was maybe 13-8 to Hot'n'Spicy.
Again Eh was short on players, but they seduced Sarah over to the dark side to have 7 players to Hot'n'Spicys 8. The weather was only just too warm for the deep and smelly mud to freeze. Eh took the half 9-3 in an hour of gruelling play, but Hot'n'Spicy warmed up to take the second "half" 3-1.
The greasy conditions should have suited the Fonz (Eh!) team, but this was totally extreme. There was the goal that was a certainty but didn't happen because Tom slipped and landed on his bum (incredibly that was exactly the play he had just called.) Sarah got stuck tight on one occasion and could only watch the throw (admittedly a crap one) go to ground close by. The main impact of the mud though was that it completely killed the usual game of "chuck the disc in the rough direction and rely on your target's speed and agility to get there". I won't apologise because I certainly don't throw that badly by choice, but to put a positive spin on it - playing in the mud is kinda fun and also good discipline for sloppy throwers.
Oh, and how keen is Frank - turning up at 10 o'clock just to say hello, despite having tendonitis (of the alarm clock?)No game for ages because fields too wet, but this game was a ripper with all 17 players putting in strong performances. Eh took a quick lead and were way ahead at half, but Hot'n'Spicy fought back hard and twice drew equal. At time-cap Eh had the lead again, with final score of 14-11.
Round 6 saw a see-sawing game - with Relish finishing both halves strongly and proving too strong for the Eh Team in the end. After Relish took the half 9-5, the Eh Team came out very strongly, tying up the game initially at 9-9 and again at 10-10, before falling away at the end, with the final score 16-12 to Relish. Relish's one substitute may have made the difference, but it was more likely their cool calm approach on offence, despite the best defensive pressure Eh could muster.
Billed as an exciting game, as the teams were tied on 3 each, Sunday's game was a disappointment. The closeness a spectator might have expected, considering the games' tally was totally inevident.
Relish played like a team who woke up an hour too early. Strings of incomplete passes - which isn't even possible - and poor cutting. The thought processes in Relish players' heads probably went something like this.... "He's going to cut so I won't, because it might clog" then "No-one's cutting, I'd better" then "Oh shit, Tom's marking me" quick fake, three half-hearted steps towards the thrower then "nah, he's looked me off" clear in an ambling fashion.
Eh, on the other hand, somehow escaped the daylight savings induced timechange and played very solidly. Plenty of solid in and out cuts provided the disc handlers every conceivable option. Unfortunately this wasn't confusing and the best ones were usually taken. With this basic algorithm, Eh always seemed to be able to march the disc down the field for the kind of score, unlike a hopeful huck, that grinds down the defence. In addition, Eh played great defence, marking hard when necessary and poaching wisely even when it didn't seem wise to do so
The final score was something like 14 - 3 [Reported elsewhere as an 11-4 final score] and truly reflected the game. Hopefully Relish can bring it back together for the next TUC and give Eh a proper fight.
October is the busiest month on the Tasmanian Ultimate calander. The hectic schedule took its toll on player numbers for TUC Round VIII.
Ken has been spotted wandering through St.Davids Park still reliving the glory of his record round in the PhillipRuddockThrowThemOverboardGolfClassic. Stew was sobering up after his memorable performance during the TwoHat final. Very few players have Stew's ability to influence a game from the side line. Half of Tasmania's mixed national side was missing. Those mixed national players that did show were bruised black and blue and covered in scabs. The mixed nats side performed admirably. Their greatest difficulty was handling the transition from Tasmania's flat, lush grassy fields to the rocky pot holed paddocks they use on the mainland.
Relish produce 5 brave players after Felix finally showed up half an hour late. The Eh team with 6 players had one invaluable substitute. The Eh team played their regular game of high percentage passes and solid, unspectacular defence to grind out a victory 12 to 10. Despite the score line it was the raw young Relish team that provided all the games highlights. Their game plan was guided by Stan's huck and hope philosophy and relied on Aaron's swift legs. Everytime Relish appeared to be shut down they would produce a miraculous length of the field throw and an amazing endzone catch to stay in the game.
Can the raw young Relish team mature in the next three weeks to execute their exciting brand of ultimate? How will the Eh team counter the brilliance of Relish? Stay tuned.....
The rousing words of their brave and fearless captain, Tom "Burrgkerrggkk" Caldwell, must have been ringing in the ears of the Eeeeehhhh team last Sunday. They came out firing and did not relent until they had emptied their magazines, leaving the bloodied and beaten corpse of Relish splattered all over the Sandown fields. But how they fought, Relish, oh how they fought. The young recruits took it up to the battle hardened warriors of Eeeeehhhhh, surely earning their respect and leaving them far more cautious for the next gathering. Wounds heal. Blood dries. Both teams will return and continue to play the game they love.
(Note from Frank "Thank friendly Relish and eehhh for so lovely a morning game - 'tis great to have green knees on your birthday.")
[The score was 14-4 to Eh, however the Committee has determined that Eh Team had forfeited, having only 4 listed team members.]
Relish won 12-11 after time cap. Eh came back hard after losing the first half 6-9.
After 10 games the score was 5-5, which gave a drawn series with the 2004 Tasmanian Ultimate Championships jointly awarded to both teams!
Thanks to Jeff and Felix (and Shavawn) for being the TUCOs (TUC Organisers).