Tour 1 Report

Bluefish Takes Out  Tour One at Home

Auckland’s premier ultimate team Bluefish won a tight and thrillingly final to capture the Tour One title for the second year in a row. Bluefish defeated Credo from Christchurch 13 to 12 in a time-capped game played in difficult conditions due to the wind. The final capped off a great weekend of ultimate as 11 teams from all over the country competed for points on the National Tour.

The first leg of the National Ultimate Tour was played on the smooth but exposed fields of Auckland Grammar School over the weekend of December 11-12. Auckland’s usually changeable weather did not disappoint with all four seasons on display during the two days and with the wind blowing strongly for the entire event. The conditions made Ultimate difficult, but also allowed players to show off their skills. Many teams showed great control of the disc as they marched towards the opposing endzone.

Early results were often one-sided as the best teams in each pool quickly rose to the top, with the odd exception. Flightclub from Wellington and Jihad from Auckland University fought out one of the best games on Saturday with the lead swapping several times. In a game to 13, Flightclub took the lead late in the second half and held it until 12-11. A great effort by the University players saw them come back and take the downwind point to level it, and then punch in the upwind point for a fantastic win. 

In the other big game on Saturday, Credo and Bluefish played out a preview of the final, with Bluefish unable to stamp any authority on the game and Credo winning by 13 to 9.

Sunday’s games moved into playoff mode, and the scores became a lot closer. Bluefish defeated Versus (an old rival with a different look to it this year) 15-5 while Credo accounted for Wellington team Frenzy 10-8. Kia Mataara and WUF advanced into the 5th/6th playoff, both beating Auckland teams in the cross-overs.

By Sunday afternoon the dust had settled on another great tournament. For full tournament results, and tour standings check out the Tour Results.

The UPC would like to thank Auckland Ultimate and particularly TD Iain Stewart for all of his work and effort in the months leading up to the tournament. Iain himself would like to acknowledge the support and help received from Rebecca Blakey, Warren Buckingham and all those who helped out on the weekend, whether it be in preparation and clean up of breakfast and lunch, or putting out and taking in all of the gear at the fields.