East London Tournament Review
To those who dwell beyond the borders of the Eastern Cape, East London is a small town. Yet within, promise and opportunity lay in abundance. Virtues ready to be harvested and thrived upon by those willing….
From what started as a handful of people playing with a Frisbee on Nahoon Beach in 2010, grew into a social league of sixty players, two national teams and recently, East London’s first Ultimate Frisbee Tournament which had come to pass over the weekend of the 24th June at Selborne College.
Teams from Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth joined forces with the local teams to bring to East London a truly spirited and competitive tournament. And coupled with our Sponsors – Fresh Lifestyle Properties, Rockstar Energy Drink and Distell Distributors – the tournament became one which would be reminisced amongst fellow Frisbee players until Nationals 2012.
The weekend kicked off with social warm-up games which somewhat still had a competitive slice to it. However, the evening built up to the memorable event – the Night Frisbee match. The time came to show off the freshly imported Night Discs. Excitement filled the air while the flood lights turned off. The moon shone with all its pride while the attached lumo glow sticks on the players challenged that pride. At a glance, the game appeared to be a story written in light. Wisps of blue and orange light danced around the nightly field. The lit disc wove these wisps into magical letters and figures. Poetry to the eye of the beholder….
The sun appeared the following morning with high hopes for the opening games. Passion brewed and competitiveness howled through them all. The weather however, was the only card dealt that didn’t pair up with the expectations of our visitors. Gusts of wind up to 50 knots with heavenly rains (which East London has had its fair share of recently) didn’t spell favourable odds to any team. Yet, with a bit of change in game plan and handling, teams were able to use the wind to their advantage. Unfortunately, a few were left with a wind-swept disadvantage.
Yet, to overcome the gloom and doom of East London weather, a Pulling Challenge was arranged. First prize and second prize came from Distell Distributors and the third from Rockstar Energy Drink. All highly contended for by most players I have to admit – even myself. The first being a Richelieu Brandy Gift Set comprising of a branded wooden box with contents that would make any brandy connoisseur jealous. Two engraved glasses, a bottle wall mount with dispenser and of course, a bottle of Ricky Le Roux himself.
Saturday crept away from the gusting wind, but the evening brought the festivities. Dinner, good music and memories shared from the day’s events were priority among the company. The bar kept a few individuals entertained, especially when all shooters became five rand.
The team from Johannesburg, rightly named Ultitude, with their agility, grace and precision at throwing a disk took first place, winning a cash prize of R2000. Second and third places went to the East London teams – the Hammerheads and Rebels, each receiving R1000 and R500 respectively. Incidentally, the Gambits from P.E had to forfeit due to unforeseen circumstances surrounding a hefty Fines meeting and a party of Decade music at Numbers. The word was that some were left “broken” the next morning. The context is yours to decide, but it’s clear that some people just can’t handle Slum Town.
See you at the next Ultimate gathering.
