Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The CULT - Week 3 Review

WOW! for those of you who were there, you know what I mean; for those of you who weren't, you missed one of the biggest and best nights in CULT history (That's right, all three weeks of it!).

Empire versus Meow

This is one game that was going to be BIG; either Empire would dominate against an under-strength Meow, OR the Apocalypse crew would find new ways to move the disc and bring it to the endzone.

Ultimately, what we saw was a clear case of too many offensive options overwhelming a solid game plan. Thanks to Jay for allowing me to reprint their gameplan here. The strategy revolved around neutralising scoring threat Liam by keeping him out of the game and forcing The Empire to rely on their other handlers - encouraging the long huck to the endzone where it would become a straight up contest in the endzone between Cephas and the intended receiver.

Unfortunately for Meow, taking Liam out still left a swag of handlers to do the necessary for the Empire. Nick Murray worked the disc up solidly and the stormtroopers gave him virtually unlimited options with their cuts ... meaning that Jay had to abandon plan A and scramble. Ultimately, The Empire just had too many options and finished the game 11-2, leaving them clearly in first place for the league.

credit where credit is due though, Meow worked through the pain of having so many players out and were still bringing it to the Empire right to the final hooter. I for one can't wait to see the rematch of this one, hopefully with both teams bringing a full strength roster to the party.

Boomstick -vs- Huck

Now, I'm not saying there wont be other great games this season, but Boomstick versus Huck was EPIC! This one was, without questions, one of the greatest games I have ever played in and I know that both sides are looking forward to a re-match in 3 weeks time.

Completely out of left field, huck dredged up 3 new players and brought back their two new recruits from week 1, meaning that the Deadites (The neanderthals in the Evil dead movies were called deadites ... Boomstick take thier name from this series) were facing up to an entirely unknown quantity. So it was that they were taken entirely unawares by Huck in the opening minutes, with the score rapidly mounting to 3-0 in favour of the green machine. After recovering from thier shell shock, the Red Devils stepped up thier defence and scored 3 unanswered points of thier own, tying it up.

It seemed like the game see-sawed constantly, with neither team being able to cement a clear lead and it was with 3minutes to go that halftime was called, Boomstick leading 8-7. League policy requires a "must win by 2" result and a 15minute overtime began with Huck bringing the scores level. Spirits (although perhaps not 'spirit') were high one both sides and chances to wrap the game up were squandered by both teams as players 'panic hucked' for the endzone, only to find no-one was home to receive.

When the overtime hooter sounded, it was locked up at 10-10, and the Universe Point rule came into effect with Huck in possession. All Boomstick had to do was force the turnover and they were still in with a chance. All Huck had to do was hold the disc and wait for their opportunity.

Defence was tight and it was on a high stall count that the handler released a Hail Mary into the end zone, flying ugly and curving to the left. The Boomstick defender read it right, but so did the receiver and the man in blue ran out of legs ... it was a Huck victory and no-one could say they hadn't earned it.

I've said it before: Its the close ones you kick yourself over, but its the really close ones you look back on and smile about.

Thanks for an awesome game Huck ... you really were incredible.

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