BPL Spring League 2007 - Final

So for those who weren't in the crowd last night, here's Jon's report via the BPL list this morning (with a bit of bolding from me to make your life easier):

Hi guys,

BPL 2007 season 3 was won by Crusty Bugs who defeated Dojo Mojo 15-10 in a close fought final where injuries reduced Dojo to 6 players for the latter part of the game. Congratulations to Crusty Bugs who, despite halving their player base from last season, still managed to take out the title.

Most Valuable Player for the season was Dave Watson (Dojo) averaging 1.3 votes per game. Other contenders were: Al Don (Lovers) 1.1; Special G (Crusty) 0.9; Buzz (Passion), Pottsy (Passion), and Mike Neild (Crusty) all with 0.8.

Well done Watto, I’ll get the trophy engraved and in your hands once Hjelmie gets back.

Rookie of the Year went to Julian Sacre of Passion who had a truly excellent debut season in the BPL and was recognised by all but one of the team captains as the standout choice. Players nominated from the other teams were: Pete Allen (Lovers); Sam Challis (Rawhide); Luke Allen-Ankins (Dojo); Kirsten Nott (Fresh); and Mick Kanowski (Crusty) – congratulations to all of them.

Winners of Spirit for the season were Lovers with an impressive average score of 9.2 out of 10; other scores were Rawhide with 8.9, Dojo and Fresh with 7.8, Passion with 7.7, and Crusty with 7.4.

I have updated the BPL website: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/dog-cup/database

My sincere thanks to all of the team captains, JDR, Rob Lowe, Shawn Robb, Beth Rougier, Al Don, Mat Ryan, and Jay Ray for all of their help throughout the season – they make my life so much easier and without them the League wouldn’t exist.

The tentative start date for season 1 in 2008 is 14 February, although this is by no means final; I’ll keep you all posted of any changes. Enjoy the Christmas break and work hard on recruitment between now and February to try and increase your rosters and avoid the incidence of forfeits next season.

Jon

A few extra thoughts from me:

BPL continues to be extremely well run, thanks to Jon and also to the (sometimes unsung outside their own little group) Captains. Jon was a deserving winner of League Director of the Year, and I continue to feel right in trumpeting BPL as the highest quality league in the country. 2008 will be a big year, as (I guess, although there may be other ambitions out there) we further solidify the six teams, and start getting each squad up from 9-12 to 13-16 players.

The game itself was a good one. Dojo were going to be doing it tough I feel from the start in having minimal players (and eighth arrived just on starting time), while the CBs had 10 or 11 9, all there and warming up. Dojo have negotiated this at different times through the season, but its particularly hard when you're playing the very hard running Crusty Bugs. Then the injuries occured and that was it for Dojo unfortunately (although they were working well and still scoring). They had fallen a few points behind before Steve and Matt were sidelined.

The first half for the Buggers was very much the Jason and Mike show that we all know very well (and enjoy). It seemed once they gained the lead and felt comfortable, the Bugs were more willing to use the whole team and that seemed to be just as effective. Again, Mike and Jason have grabbed a group of lean athletic blokes and moulded them into a hard working TEAM.

Dojo were perhaps more spectacular in their greater desperation, and were really only a few drops out of it in the first half. The underdog-loving crowd also appreciated their valliant efforts once down to six players in the second.

Spirit looked pretty good from the sideline, although there were still a few dangerous play incidents which I don't think anyone likes.

The free booze tactic certainly worked to get a crowd along, particularly of a lot of unfamiliar and un-Ultimate faces along (Spinner and Stef both seemed to bring along their own cheer squads). Cheering and heckling seemed fairly quiet and mild except maybe for yours truly as usual.

Congrats to the Crusty Buggers. A good game, a good end to the season, and a good night out!