Mongo Wins Inaugural Brisbane Indoor Ultimate Championships

So Ekka Wednesday has been and gone, and the inaugural Brisbane Indoor Ultimate Championships (proudly sponsored by the Brisbane Ultimate Blog) were run and won by the all-gingerbread squad of Mongo, who took the final 14-11 over the Indooroopilly-based Newcomen House, after two minutes of extra time following an 11-11 battle for the ages!

Indoor Ultimate is a rarity in Brisbane - the weather is so nice you wonder why you'd bother going inside. But the propect of an afternoon of Ultimate that didn't involve smearing sunscreen all over yourself attracted 45 players plus a few fans. And the weather gods "smiled" on the TD by sending light rain just as the tournament was starting, and a brief thunderstorm during the Final. Truly, this was a good use of a midweek holiday.

The tournament was played at the Clem Jones Centre on Zahel St, Carina (just up the road from Adilia's stomping grounds). The venue was excellent, and the operators we very pleased to have us. The blue masking tape used to mark rectangular endzones worked very well too!

The view from TD Central.

The most attractive team at the tournament was obviously Si Si Columbia (below), although despite pushing several teams during the round robin, Nathan's jovenes didn't quite have the legs, picking up the wooden spoon at the end of the event (but still smiling).

Si Si Columbia - all smiles - including Swedish pickup Emil, in Brisbane for a week's holiday.

Defeating the Columbians with a steady improvement through the day were the combination of UQ Haters and the various pickup players (including Nealo visiting for a week from Fiji).

Assistant TD Rohan helps to add some 'cute' to the front row of the UQ Haters/Pickup

While teams decided they were too tired for a proper playoff for third (and to think, after the first 20 minute game, people were complaining of not enough game time ... this tune soon changed as the afternoon wore on), on countback, the much fancied Skyneedle came in fourth on countback (fancied in a sexual sense, rather than a punting one, I think?).

Skyneedle convey their team name through liturgial dance. Silent George was NOT hungover during this tournament.

This left third place to Team Canada, who outperformed their much fancied outdoor team, who could only make 4th at the recent World Games.

The hockey stick didn't make the photo, alas. And apparently, Yeronga "is too" a part of Canada.

The Final featured what we believe was the first electronically scored game of Ultimate ever seen in Brisbane. Thanks to the scoreboard team of Paige, young Master Laedwig, and JJ.

Fingers on the buzzers, please.

The Final was tough and uncompromising - partly because of the endurance nature of the tournament, partly due to a bit of unfamiliarity with the rules (never fun when passions are high). Newcomen House took the best posed team photo of the day, before switching to light shirts and entering the fray.

Can't wait for the next party at Dan's house. Note this was also the first competitive outing for a Cobra shirt.


Leaping Leon takes a catch during the Final.

Full time saw the scores locked at 11-11, reflecting the closeness of the event which included a large spectator contingent. After a quick chat, two minutes of extra time were agreed too. After a slow start, the run of points went to the fast-finishing and gingerbread smelling MONGO!, who took home the title of Brisbane Indoor Ultimate Champions. W00t!

We are the shit, mon-go.

Alas, the budget this year didn't allow us a trophy, but good things come to those who wait. And its all about bragging rights anyways.

Thanks to everyone who came and had a good time, particularly the Captains for organising teams, and other who helped out on the day.

We'll be back again in 2010 ... and you can even register now!!!