2003 CUC: Daily Reports

MIXED HYPE & REPORTING

REPORTERS: Rose Carlton, Julia Simon, Noah Goldstein

Semifinal: Lucky vs 626
Quarterfinal: Bonesaw vs Iax

Semifinal: Lucky vs 626
By Noah Goldstein
posted 8/18/03

Toronto favorites to win and last year’s finalists, Black Sheep, were upset by 626 in the quarters. Lucky successfully defeated Toronto’s other powerhouse, Bodhi, to advance to the semis. With Chaos and Bonesaw matching up in the other semi, the hopes and dreams of east coast ultimate lay in the hands of a rag-tag bunch from North Bay.

North Bay ultimate is not known for its strategic prowess. They run. They jump. They layout. Risky, but often effective as defensive and offensive "tactics," 626 ran away with 8 straight points on Black Sheep. The defending champs, Lucky, played this match in a mysterious way, alternating between the truly awesome and downright sloppy.

At 12-7, game to 13 with Lucky leading the race, fans were exasperated by the inconsistent play by 626, and had resolved themselves to an all west coast final when 626 turned on the guns. After a succession of layout D blocks, 626 managed to take it to 12-11. But the hot squad from the Bay unfortunately kicked it up too late in the game and Lucky pulled out a win at 13-11. As news of the huge upset that saw Bonesaw losing to Chaos by a significant margin began filtering across the fields, Lucky turned their thoughts towards finals.

Quarterfinal: Bonesaw vs IAX
By Julia Simon
posted 8/18/03

Two of the most talented and good-spirited teams met this morning in windy conditions. Amazingly enough, the first point, scored by BoneSaw, was an upwinder showing great control. The favour was returned right after by Iax, who slowly but surely broke BoneSaw’s cup for an upwind score (excellent popping was the main factor in Iax’s success).

It was a relatively even game, although the final score does not reflect the level or intensity of these closely matched squads. BoneSaw’s wicked layout Ds, one almost scoring a Callahan, helped push them into the lead. Iax handler Dom Roy had an excellent hammer to Jess Main for a score in the endzone, twice. After the first was called back on a violation, Dom jacked the same throw and this time the score was complete.

This well spirited, high-intensity game demonstrated tenacious defense by both squads, and hard-fought upwind points. BoneSaw prevailed as victor and set off to meet Chaos in the semi-finals. Iax would have to battle out for fifth. The game is best summed up by Iax’s co-captain, Jessica Main, "I would fly a thousand miles to play these guys again."