Veg Action!

Photos of Mixed Veg in action against Disco Fever during DUB 2006

All courtesy of John Redmond (www.johnredmondphotography.com)

DUB 2006

The veggies 2nd tournament was the reason why the team came about. We wanted to win this tournament and be the first Irish team to do so but all did not go to plan! :) On the Friday night we all arrived to Terenure to find out that we'd been seeded 3rd and somehow found ourselves in 'the easier group' (or at least the 'not group of death group'!). We were due to play at 10am the next morning but didnt let that dampen our spirits as we ceili-d the night away. Everyone at the party was in flying form and the celebrations went on til the early hours.


Day One saw us play Simon's German team of Disco Fever in the opening game. We started well and won it comfortably in the end. they were a great laugh and wowed us with their dancing on the line and even a setplay similar to the Homer Simpson classic. Al then made us all get naked. Next up were Nobody Loves Me who we played in slightly windier conditions, again we played well on d and converted all we could on O to run out winners. They were pretty unlucky in the endzone with 3 or 4 final passes slipping out hands etc. Another fun team call then we got to go eat. And what a feed too :) The food for the weekend was all vegetarian and was superb, not a meat-eating complaint from anyone!




Mixed Veg in action against Disco Fever




After lunch we played the experienced and hard-running team of Flyght club who were great craic. We played well again (except for Shifty who conceded 2 scores) and won out convincingly. Then we played the Karate call game which was quality. If I remember correctly Sparky pipped Oisin to be the overall Karate champion! Our final game was against a Cian-lead UNI team and it brought us our first scrappy, tight game. We started well and then they responded well. The wind kicked in and zones and line-traps were causing lots of turns. We worked hard, as did they, but eventually we took it 9-5. It was a fun, tough, match against spirited and determined opposition and we really enjoyed it.








Sparky kicks Oisins ass







So after the first days play we'd finished top of our group and retained the 3rd seed position, finishing ahead of UNI. In the other group Accrington Stanley had topped the pile with Throwin shapes taking 2nd seed from Chaos Theory after a hard-fought 9-8 victory. Captain Drinking Binge finished 4th and would be our morning quarter-final opponents. To the party! Another huge feed after awesome team photos and then the party. A perfect start to the night! Nobody was quite sure what to expect from the rumour of a metal band, or from the 4 17yr old pimply topless guys on the dtage for that matter! But as soon as they started, the drinks flowed, the crowd got merry and we were all up and throwing ourselves around in no time. People dressed to impress with the Germans donning bowler hats, the Chaos crew in 'Shotgun wedding' theme and with some of the Irish ladies decked out in high quality 90s dresses! SJ's dress and hat combo was about as Princess Diana as you get. The night swept by in a cloud of drink, dancing and fun and the next thing we knew it was time to head home. Another excellent DUB party over til next year.




The Mixed Veg ladies at the party









Day Two and the big quarter-final...we weren't sure what to expect from a Binge team who blow hot and cold except that they'd make us work for every point. That they did but a little bit of unluckiness and a few mistakes saw them blow cold. We ran out winners in the end in a game that they'd forget later in day by winning well in their 2 final matches. More fun teamcalls, including the hanging of a certain Captain, and off to get ready for the semi final.










Rob catches to score despite Cols best efforts






Shapes won through their qurter-final to set up the match we all wanted, Mived Veg vs Throwing shapes - two Dublin-based teams of friends, couples and teammates playing for the chance to be the first Irish team in the DUB final for 4 years. It began as a nervy and close match with lots of turnovers in the first point. Shapes took control though and scored the 2nd point too. We fought back and some solid D got us back to 3-2 up when the Tough Ship called a time out. They stopped the rot and scored to draw level at 3-3 but we had other plans and rattled off 2 more scores to lead again at 5-3. The tension and pressure on every throw, catch and bid was immense as neither team let up. Shapes gave it everything and clawed back level again at 6-6. Then came 7-6 to the team in yellow as they became more and more confident. 7 all and time's lowly ticking away. A big D and a quick score gave Mixed Veg an 8-7 lead and tiem was called. Score a point then cap +2. Out came Shapes and a steady handling point saw them draw level. Game to 10. Despite the high tension the Spirit was unbelievable, little hand slaps and smiles all over the pitch. We battled out another point but they took a 9-8 lead. Just 1 more score for the match and a coveted place in the final .Not this time though as some solid offense allowed us to peg it back to 9 apiece. Last point and winner takes all. We pulled and eventually got a D. I had the disc and Nialler suggested I call a timeout, I didnt give it a second thought and called it...in the cap...illegal or not illegal??Illegal as we all know, but it wasnt in the Captains Pack apparently. Anyways, Fuzzy and a few other Shapes stepped in and said we'd play on. They did play on too, they ot the D they deserved and won with a score in the front corner. An amazing game that we'll never forget. The clothesless race and a Street Fighting battle ensued as did many hugs and laughs. The start of a great rivalry...






Tigers! Grrrr!






We dusted ourselves off and went for a quick (if huuge and very tasty) lunch before our 3rd/4th place playoff with the Chaos Theory crew of Fatima, Buddha, Tigger and Harry amongst other friends. It began okay with the 2 teams trading but Chaos had the upper hand as we were flat and not running on all cylinders. Soon a game tied at 3-3 became 5-3 to chaos and then 7-3. We needed to stop the rot ao Al duely obliged by nonchalantly throwing a sumptuous 40m inside out flick for Shifty to score. It lifted our spirits and gave us belief. We stormed back into the game and drew level at 7-7 when game to 9 was called. " points later and we's finished 3rd - come on! We were delighted, especially after the tough game in the semi. As always the Chaos crew were happy and fun so we had good banter with them too. We watched the final, cheering on shapes but Accrington just had too much and ground out a 15-4 win. The awards took place in the blazing sunshine and with Reuben and Brian running proceedings there were laughs aplenty. Anmd to our delight and shock we won Spirit - a perfect way to cap off an excellent weekends playing and partying.

Big thanks to the DUB Committee for an amazing 2 days and cograts to Nialler and Robbo whoi won MVP and MSP resepctively. Here's to more of the same in the future! Also, thanks for the photos OJ!

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Results:

Pool Games:
13-0 vs Disco Fever
13-0 vs Nobody Loves Me
11-2 vs Flyght Club
9-5 vs UNI
Quarter-Final
13-0 vs Captain Drinking Binge
Semi-Final
9-10 vs Throwing Shapes
3rd/4th Playoff
9-7 vs Chaos Theory

Spirit - Mixed Veg!
MVP - Niall
MSP - Rob

Team - Rob, Marko, Oisin, Fi, Sparky, Luan, Fraser, Shifty, JD, Katie, SJ, Sally, Mary, Al, Niall and Adam.

The IFDA Good Friday Tournament

The first tournament Mixed Veg attended couldnt have gone any better. We arrived hoping to get to the final and to get some good game time under our belts before DUB 06, little did we know how much fun we'd have. Our group was the tougher of the two with BUG, G33 and Captain Drinking Binge all to be played. First up were BUG who ran their hearts out with Pete, Ob, Adam and Beth playing fantastically despite having no subs to help! The call saw us do a lot of wrestling and provided some fascinating match-ups not least between the women! Next were the G33 crew who played very well. We traded til 3s (I think) and then we scored a few on the trot before trading until the finish. As always it was a tough, physical but very spirited match with the Hag, Darkie, Mick and Tommy all standing out. The team call was highly amusing as Hag offered Fishbox and Nialler some lovely choices - 'If you had to choose between...' :) And that was followed by Softy beating Tommy in a dance-off. Priceless. The final game before 'lunch' (at 3pm!) was against the Bingers who as usual made us run, fought hard and played some lovely breakside Ultimate. We came through despite Seamus, Col, Tony & co.'s best efforts.

After a slightly short but very tasty lunch we played Sligo in the semi-final. Again, it was a tricky match that saw lots of good Ultimate played by both teams. After a tight start the Veg slowly but surely added on the pints to emerge winners. Fair play to Sligo (who want on to win 3rd place) for travelling so far and putting in the effort! That left us with one more match - the much fancied final against Throwing Shapes. They were short on personnel and tired after a long day playing Ironman but we didn't let that stop us ;) We ran out 10-3 winners in a game that was tougher than the score suggests and wouldve been tougher still (as they proved a week later!) if theyd had a full squad.


Well done to Binge who picked up Spirit, to G33 who won the plate, to Rob and Sparky who won the MVP of the Final awards and to DIT who went home with the wooden spoon! All in all a fun day out in the sun, thanks to everyone who took part and here's to the next co-ed one-dayer (party included next time!). Also, thanks for the photo Emer!

Results:

Pool Games:
9-3 vs BUG
9-5 vs G33
7-3 vs CDB
Semi-Final:
12-5 vs Sligo
Final:
10-3 vs Throwing Shapes

Female MVP of the Final - Sparky
Male MVP of the Final - Rob

Team:
Rob, Fi, Luan, Marko, Fraser, Shifty, Adam, Nialler, Mary, SJ, Sparky, Softy.

Introducing Mixed Veg...

Who are we?
Well, Mixed Veg is a co-ed team made up of Broccoli players and any girls we can convince to come join us.

What's our aim?
We play to have fun and try to win in the process. Integral to the team are a love of vegetables, a fondness of a cheeky pint and a will to dress to impress.

Any plans?
To play as much together as possible because it's quality. Mixed Tour 2 in late May is the next definite date. We're scouring the calendar for more...

Roster so far?
Boys - Marko, Rob, Shifty, Luan, Al, Oisin, JD, Adam, Fraser, Niall, Softy.
Girls - Fishbox, Sparky, SJ, Mary, Sally, Katie.