Once again, Shakedown headed to Derby to compete in Club Mixed Indoor Nationals. While two years back we came fourth, last year’s effort saw us come up with a 15th finish – which was less than ideal. After a relatively successful Plymouth Beginners, another Inferno victory and decent showings at Open Regionals and Nationals, we fancied our chances a bit. With our usual iron man core of myself, Slen, Becks, Mop and Chubb, we bolstered our ranks with Hannah, Jazz, Mike and Horse and aimed for gold, Grouped into the morning pools, we headed up to Bristol the night before and set off early, arriving at Derby Arena about 20 minutes before our first game, After travelling for about 3 hours, we went into our first match against a team from the same city as most of Shakedown.
Game 1: GLaDOS
The luminescent offshoot of Bristol and Disco Biscuits were keen to get stuck into the game. Within a few minutes, something became apparent though – the pitches were very short and the lines we were using were black ones that pretty much blended into the floor. Cue a bunch of overthrown discs an d it appeared we were in a battle to try and see who can rein in their game enough to come out on top. Using our girls to apply pressure, we generated the turns and got a lead to win 6-3.
Game 2: The Brown
After a one-game break, we were up against Newcastle’s finest. Seeing some familiar faces, we cracked on and continued trying to get our eye in with regards to the pitches – which were hampering Beck’s lasers a little. We opt to run discs in rather than rely too much on iso and adjust properly to take this fun match at 7 points to 3.
Game 3: Mighty Hucks
We were doing well now but the real test of our mettle would come when we faced down the tournament’s second seeds. The game begins and we slot two in straight away. Hucks answer back and both teams roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. After a while Hucks level and creep in front before slip into another gear and take the lead after Becky gets an interception on their biggest guy and slots a beautiful high disc to Horse, putting us one point ahead about three seconds before the buzzer went. Unfortunately though, this is a UKU event and so they then had to play the possession where they had one opportunity to score. They took two risky shots and came down with a score to level the match at 5-5. If only Hannah was an inch taller, we’d have won.
Game 4: Prone
After a lengthy break, we were up against Prestron’s team – who we’d never faced before, somehow. Having now hit our stride, we went into this with confidence knowing that we’d have to keep Foggy at bay because he was a) very, very good and b) miffed that we’d dropped him this year*. We pressured the receivers and had to work hard to stop one of their girls who was particularly awesome. We did the job though and got a nose in front early on, scoring a mess of points before they clawed things back. It wasn’t enough though as we took the 7-5 victory before we did speeches and raced off to watch the rugby. *I’d forgotten to ask him after he’d not been available for the last few.
Game 5: Birmingham 2
After a break, we went up against Brum’s second team, who we knew would be good. We stuck with our tactics, pressured turns and used some shrewd iso play to get a healthy lead. While both teams seemed to be having a good game, something was clearly going wrong. There was an incident where Hannah got clobbered but it was resolved properly. However at the halfway point, they used a tight triangle stack downfield and ran through the “stack” to try and cut, generating picks – which were promptly called. After a while, there was another incident with a foul that got resolved properly. Despite these points, the game continued and we raced to a 7-2 victory.
After the match, their captain had something to discuss with Sophie, as the rest of us went back to the rugby. Following the match we went to the hotel which didn’t have a scalding shower or a wok in place of a toilet (see previous years’ reports), got ready and watched England give Italy a hammering before heading to Chiquito for food where we were given free sombreros. Looking at the group we realised that, in order to top it, we needed to beat Red 2 by 8 points in the last pool game in the morning. After Mexican munch and a drink in the Harvester, we retired to bed fairly early and got up raring to go against Leicester’s second team.
Game 6: Red 2
Knowing we needed to get a hefty score, we went nuts on poor Red 2 – who were also looking to get a decent scoreline to avoid a tie further down the table. We used iso and fast movement to swiftly convert Ds and develop a huge lead. After a pair of incidents where I’d thrown a disc into a space with nobody there and another one where the timing was misjudged, a few comments about it saw me see red and take myself off the pitch – to the bemusement of Red who were baffled why I was so angry when we were 8 points in front. Not my best moment – apologies all. Anyway, we closed out the game having gone 10-1 up. We topped the group, gave ourselves a game off, and went into the top eight. Nice.
Game 7- Quarter Final: Brixton 1
While our record against the London outfit is good, this was a whole different kettle of fish. Led by former Clapham supremo, Gash, Brixton used their own iso play to get on the board while tight man D saw them pressure turns from us. I managed to do a good bit when I threw a break to Chubb for a score, other than that though, we had to take what we were given. Brixton held their nerve and despite a surge of intensity toward the end, they capitalised on turns and saw out the game 8-4, knocking us out of the run for the title.
Game 8: Prone
A rematch for our penultimate game of the weekend saw us once again competing with Foggy and his cohorts who’d since acquired a couple of very good teammates including an insanely good ex-Bangor player who the girls were wondering how they’d ever mark her. For the first three points, Prone punish us by slotting in their O and having the bare-faced cheek to use zone to convert us twice. It was an awesome defence from them. However, as they went for their iso play, it eventually crumbled. Becks had asked a couple of Sandwedge players for advice on how to mark out an iso, which she applied here. Suddenly the shots to their star player dried up and, with Prone being forced to play a much shorter game, Horse went hunting for Ds and swiftly found them, turning the tide of the match in our favour. We stuck in five points while they responded once. The buzzer sounded with us up by one. Not risking the callahan, I slammed a sidearm towards Mike in the endzone but it got Ded. No matter though – we’d won 5-4 and put us into the 5v6 match.
Game 9: Mighty Hucks
Unhappy at having to play a crossover and getting knocked out by Danger, Hucks and their returned missing players were more than ready for this match. The game is tight but we’re faster out of the blocks and put points on the board. They manage to level things and convert us to go ahead and we chase the game. I think we levelled it as well but towards the end a last ditch effort saw them get a nose in front and keep it there. As we tired, they were two points ahead and holding the disc when the hooter went. A throwaway saw them finish the game 7-5 in front. A great fun end to the tournament, leaving us as the country’s 6th best mixed indoor team.
Thanks to everyone for playing. Sophie, awesome as ever but particularly great on D – we’re all very sorry about your leggings. Chubb, great grabs – don’t think you put a foot wrong! Becks, after initial pitch size related hiccups, you adapted with aplomb and even reined in the power of your throws – who’d have thought it? You really shone on D though. Mike, you were fast and caused opposition no end of issues – again, particularly great on defense. Mop, safe hands a level head, you also didn’t put a foot wrong and led the way as always. Hannah, end zone machine and great grabs, you continue to be our dark horse against the opposition. Speaking of the equine, Horse you were monumental on D and I felt turned the tide for us against Prone – the best I’ve seen you play. Jazz, so, so fast! Always providing an option, your work rate was crazy. Thank you so much for picking up with us. As for me, that was without a doubt one of the worst performances I’ve delivered in years. Sorry for letting you guys down with how I played and my frustration. Glad you were able to carry me to 6th best in the UK!