The Hangover - Slamtown

I was fortunate enough to not be working today in order to give myself ample opportunity to nurse my hangover.

Not so much a hangover from sheer consumption at the Sat night party... but also from a weekend of ultimate.

I've quite often compared the hangover effects of a big night to the feeling you have the next morning after a 2 or more day tournament. It's refreshing to wake up and find yourself in one piece, but then you get out of bed and start limping to the shower, you feel a big kink in your neck and and have brief momentary flashes of a body jolting, but exceptional, moment where you put your body on the line in order to make a play. You get out of the shower, and think about how long of a day it is going to be, and are almost ready for a nap by the time you finish breakfast. But then.... as you push through, the day slowly gets easier, and as you find your feet into the day, and you remember back, and you relive all the throws you made, and some that you threw away, the catches and the D's, fouls and the rebut's, the rolls and the snags, and more than anything, you remember the people that you met, or saw again, or always see and you shared with them the aptly named; Ultimate Weekend.

The Slamtown Invitationnal in my mind was a hit. All went as planned and Pizzey Park acted a sensational venue to host a tournament. Everyone pitched in, as is always the case, and everyone always benefits from it. A special mention goes to Scott Cameron, Cherie Sadler, Brad Andrews for really steping forth with helping hands in advance and on the day. Phil Stocks' recent injury unfortunatelty made him inactive to play... however it certainly incresed the amount I was able to play. Thanks to Phil for taking a full administrative role on the day. And to Thomas Tullet for his sorting out the draw, and for taking away quality music time with his ultimate musings. (next time he'll have mic restrictions)

As for the onfield portion, after a full round robin, It was Saiko and The Mexican Connection coming away with a 'pre-semi' bye as Saiko went undefeated, and TMC only lost once. In pre semi1, UQ held seed and walked over Trevor Goes to Slamtown, and on the other field Blue Lighting pulled the upset win and beat DojoLoungeo to avenge their loss from the day before.

In the Semi Finals, Saiko looked strong in a convincing win over Blue Lightning and I believe TMC showed strong against UQ as they most certainly moved through to star in the Grand Final.

The visitors came out with purpose, putting on a suffocating zone with Fatty's long arms causing countless turnovers..... At 3-0 Saiko called an early time out, but it wasn't enough to stop the bleeding. The Mexicans had 5 on the board before Saiko found their first. And though Saiko did start to pull their game together, it was very much a case of too little too late, and there was never really a moment of the game when the sideline crowd realistically believed that Saiko had a chance to turn the tides.

In the end the Mexican Connection won by a 4 point margin, and were set to take home the glorious trophy..... However, that had to stay as i confiscated it from Stu on the way out (though have promised to have it mounted and engraved in order to ensure it's annual return. )

Congratulations to The Mexican Connection for showing as champions of the 1st Annual Slamtown Invitational.

Thanks to all that came.

PS (No pictures as I lost my camera at the party.... if you have any please send them my way.)