2009 Junior Indoor Nationals

The aim of the weekend was to develop the squad, to do this we split the squad into two fairly even teams. Harry, Milan and Lil Ron took ‘Strangers’ and Tom, Joe and Ryan headed up ‘Candy’. Candy finished 8th, and ended up being voted the 3rd most spirited team. Strangers finished 11th, and won Spirit. Hooray. We also want to say a big thanks to Brighton, for paying for our tournament entry fee.

Candy

Tom Kingdom (Captain)
Anna Kingdom
Ryan Tarascas
Joe Carr
Matt Naish
Richard Jones
Dovis Crompton
Dan Webber

We steamrolled through the early pool play games against teams a lot weaker than us, we used this as an opportunity to practice a few set plays as well as instill the basics in our beginners (dump and swing). At the end of the day we came up against Ocelots/Joshalots, everyone really excelled in this game on defense and offense. But the depth of their team won them the game. It was very competitive, easily the most intense. Calls were made by both teams, but resolved well. At 4 – 5 to Ocelots, tom threw two hucks to Ryan who was being marked by Joshie. Foul calls were made by joshie after both completions and the disc was taken back. On the third attempt the disc was caught, but just outside the back resulting in a turn over. booooo. This was a bit annoying as a score on this pivotal point could of won us the game.

vs Caldy we won by a lot
vs Evolution 1 we won by a lot
vs Rhinos 2 we won by a lot
vs Arctic 5 we won by a lot
vs Ocelots1 we lost 4 – 6

Turned up at the hall very tired. We ended up drawing with Arctic 2 which we should of won. Ryan also ended up jumping into a wall and injuring his ankle. We then played Strangers in a top 8 cross over, we won 5 – 3 but the game felt closer. At the end of the day it was our teams deep threats (Joe, Ryan) and quick starts after the turn that won it. Arctic 1 was our quarter, we had lost to them in the finals of outdoor Junior nationals last year in sudden death. Even with the development squad it was close. Ryan handled, switching roles with Tom. Highlights included Ryan catching the pull behind his head and Tom shotblocking a hammer thrown from the sideline and then toeing the line to catch it afterwards. Things to work on: we got scored nearly every time on an open side cut. Not good. Flux 1 (Coached by Matt Beaver) had good structure and in the end wanted it more than us. Lesson learnt: never underestimate a team, or listen to Ryan’s judgement of an opposition. We lost in sudden death. Against Rhinos Ryan was out because of his bruised metacarpals. Everyone stepped up in this game, trying new things out. Anna handled really well against the Rhino Zone and our newbies (Dovis and Dan Webber) really stepped up their game. They had a very strong squad though and ended up winning, by a quite a bit.

Really great weekend, what was really encouraging was that a lot of people didn’t realise that our new players had never played before. Richard, fulfilled his role as a safe handler; and handled safely, with a lot of safe handling. Joe Carr excelled in his deep game, scoring deep in his deep scoring game regularly.

vs Arctic 2 5 -5
vs Strangers 5 – 3
vs Arctic 1 5 – 8?
vs Flux 1 4 – 5
vs Rhinos 1 they won

Tom & Ryan

Strangers

Harry ST (Captain)
Milan Tarascas
Tom Dowell
Joe Wilikins
Dylan Small
Jack Storer
James Ely

Our first game helped us mould as a team, but the easy victory did not put us in good stead for the Catch Those game which was narrowly lost. Everyone played with really good spirit, the game was enjoyed by all. Ocelots 2, we played great defense and won. Flux 2 was really fun to play, we won. We found the Arctic 1 game very hard, they played clever defense and the depth of the squad as well as the GB players meant they scored very easily on us. The pace of the game overthrew us after our previous slower pool games.

vs Evolution 2 7 – 0
vs Catch Those 1 7 – 8
vs Ocelots 2 9 – 2
vs Flux 2 6 – 4?
vs Arctic 1 4 – 10

Against Airbadgers 2 we really stepped up our short game, given a chance to match up with players of a similar height our newbies (Dylan and James) really excelled and proved their potential. We then played Candy, this was our tightest game, the drive to beat our friends was high and showed in the intensity of each point. We matched them on defence but we couldn’t match their deep game. We slaughtered the alcoholic team 6ffu without any problems. The Spartan game was very frustrating, we didn’t know who to match up on and they were all taller than us . Catch Those, we had out revenge in our final game as well as having are most well spirited and fun filled game with silly banters comments made whilst playing game!

vs Airbadgers 2 9 – 3
vs Candy 5 – 3
vs 6ffu 8 – 4
vs Spartans 5 – 8
vs Catch Those 1 9 – 6

Harry & Milan