The Love Sparkles (2088) vs Such is ‘Fyfe’ (1767)
OK, this is getting ridiculous. Nathan broke through the 2000 barrier in Round 5 and shook the competition with a league-high score. Since then, every week has brought a new high score for the league:
|
Round |
Team |
New High Score |
|
Round 5 |
Such is ‘Fyfe’ |
2013 |
|
Round 6 |
Defenestrators |
2019 |
|
Round 7 |
Defenestrators |
2049 |
|
Round 8 |
The Love Sparkles |
2088 |
Well done to Coach Burgess who obviously inspired his troops. Eleven players scored hundreds, up from two last week. 2088 was the whopping total, up from 1733 last week. That defence was 100% dynamite:
-
Jeremy Howe (123)
-
Jake Lloyd (120)
-
Rory Atkins (120)
-
Matt Suckling (102)
-
Jarrad McVeigh (76)
-
Tom Stewart (110)
I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say we will never see a defence score that high ever again. That is a staggering amount of hundreds and 651 in total points from defence at an average of 108.5 per defender.
Looking at those scores as a neutral, I’m impressed. Looking at those scores as an opponent, you would be depressed. Such is ‘Fyfe” just got blasted out of the water and condemned to 2-6. He was unlucky in that both Stephen Hill and Scott Pendlebury didn’t get up in the midfield – only one emergency available there. Still, after this mammoth display from the Love Sparkles, there is no shame in losing this week. The Sparkles are reinvigorated and back in the top 6. What a great way to celebrate the debut of good-Rockliff (127).
Redshins (1844) vs Defenestrators (1934)
The Redshins arrested their form slump. With two 1600s and a highest score of 1781 in the last three weeks, a statement had to be made. Led ably by Ben Cunnington (139), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (102) and Trent Cotchin (114), the Redshins were well-fed at the coal-face. Indeed, a push is coming from the Redshins camp to incorporate contested possessions as a stat worth 2 extra points. That would make Cunnington a double centurion. Yet even if such a venture is ignored, at least there is optimism around the yellow and black now.
Indeed, Chris’ performance was surprising. No surprises over at the Defenestrators. The win, the 1934, the seven tons – none of that was surprising. Even Ed Curnow (142) and Jack Darling (121) are no longer surprising. It must be a good thing to have excellence as your mediocrity. My mediocrity is around low-medium.
Puttanesca Chiefs (1908) vs Shire Scourers (1851)
This was an entertaining contest. Two teams on 5-3. One went to 6-2 and third. One went to 4-3 and is only 0.5% away from sixth.
Hundreds aplenty. Seven for Mark, eight for Nelson. The wunderkind for Coach Buscumb is Jack Macrae, who has now scored 145, 151 and 155 over the past three weeks. That is the best collection of three weeks, surpassing Tom Mitchell’s stellar start to the year (156, 147, 138). I had started engraving the Dangergawn trophy with Tom Mitchell’s name. Macrae makes me look like a fool. I’ve learned my lesson and won’t pronounce Macrae the overall winner yet, but if someone posts a higher three week total than him, I’ll concede ten points off my team that week.
Over at the Shire Scourers, they need not be embarrassed. There were tremendous performances. It was notable that Jack Crisp scored 147 and still wasn’t the best Jack on the ground.
Also, I’ve noticed Ed Langdon hanging around Elliott Yeo and I fear the ways of the old Yeo have affected his younger teammate. Langdon’s last six weeks: 62-111-81-120-68-130.
Rico’s Roughencks (1875) vs The Bailout Plan (1624)
The Bailout Plan had the Luke Ronke (121) show on Friday night. That was excellent viewing and had him ahead of the curve. It’s always awesome when a player that shares your first name excels (as Adam will attest to with Adam Treloar). All he needed was some consistent performers to back up Ronke. And what he got was Daniel Talia (33), Jake Carlisle (33) and Jason Castagna (33). Oh dear!
Those 33s made the job easier for the team in stripes. They had ten hundreds, which was incredible and a next-highest score of 85. I guess it’s a positive to not have players trapped in the nervous nineties! But another win in the bank and Adam is travelling nicely. No one has fewer losses and only one team has scored more points. One eye can firmly be fixed on August now.
MaherShalalHashBaz (1759) vs Solomon’s Soldiers (1753)
So, this game looks close. I guess you could call it that. After the super Saturday of play, I had a lead of 170 and Alex had one player in hand. But given that player was Matt Scharenberg (132) and I had both Jarrad Waite (44) and Tom Phillips (49) succumb to injury, it certainly got very close.
Despite all this, I managed to win again. This six point win against Alex joins my other array of close games.
|
Round |
Margin of Victory |
Opposing Coach |
|
Round 2 |
3 |
Nelson |
|
Round 4 |
104 |
Nathan |
|
Round 5 |
17 |
Luke |
|
Round 7 |
76 |
Greg |
|
Round 8 |
6 |
Alex |
There have been three obvious close games – and that game against the Love Sparkles had a very flattering margin due to Dayne Zorko’s 176. And while it is nice to be winning the close ones, my average score is 1759. Which isn’t very high, but it’s cool that I am averaging 1759 and scored 1759 this week.
Alex would have to be happy that his team, which is openly rebuilding, has two wins as well as two close losses against me and Adam. If he can occasionally match it now, you have to think he’ll be able to consistently match it later.
That Bontempelli guy (117) is looking like a good pick-up after his second ton in two games. Soldier on you soldiers. Given that his next two opponents – Such is ‘Fyfe’ and The Bailout Plan – have only three wins between them, dare we dream a dream for these Alex’s might warriors?