Modest Mango

It was only a year ago that The Angelfish made their debut at the annual Christmas tournament held in Belfast. Since then The Fish have competed in four tournaments and one league in a very active year of ultimate frisbee. Their day at the Christmas Cracker was not met without problems as a cancelled flight and a broken down bus meant that key player, Ryan Mulligan, had to miss the first two matches.

Despite this, The Angelfish came out of the pool stages as 6th seed and went on to edge out Dublin-based Broccoli in a very intense 3 v 6 match that was won almost entirely on what Captain Philip Chan described as “epic defence”. The Fish finished the day placed 4th.

The Fish have made incredible progress in a year, having gone from a beginners’ team to a team that can now be competitive in Northern Ireland. Their success and ever expanding ranks seem to be a direct consequence of the enthusiasm and camaraderie that define the team. Those interested in playing frisbee with The Fish could do worse than to visit their Facebook page.

Festivities did not end with the tournament as the first annual Belfast Ultimate Christmas Dinner Dance took place at Park Avenue Hotel in East Belfast. The impressive attendance acted as a fitting marker for the state of ultimate in Northern Ireland – ever growing, stronger than ever and slightly drunk.

Boredom leads to prettiness. Please notice the amazing new splash pages here, here and here. And the new "Football" link sitting nicely on the ever expanding navigation bar. Merry Christmas. :)

So now that I’ve shown the film to the lads and my very bemused parents, it’s time for the DVD and internet release. Watch this space for a streamable version of the film very soon. If you want a DVD, let me know and I can sort something out. Those of you who have already requested a DVD, don’t worry I’ve already put aside some for you. Much love.

It really feels like only a few weeks ago we started this whole thing and alas, it’s week 15, and week 1 of the play offs.

Here are your challengers:

1- Abandonded Baby Bulls

2- Prypiat Giant Rats

3- Partick Hustle

4- Woodland Warriors

Where is Michael Hollingworth?! Where are the Tantrum?!

Well, he blew it. Needing only a victory to take the wildcard spot he has insisted all year is rightfully his… no dice. A two-point loss. The real kicker? Steve Smith and his 14 points sat on the bench. No dice Hollingworth. See you in the Loser Bracket.

To the match ups!

No. 1 Bulls vs. No. 4 Warriors

At the start of the year, no one saw Chris Burrows strolling into the playoffs with the best record, the most points scored… quite simply, the best team. The Bulls have been nothing short of dominant. The names don’t jump out at you, but there is no doubt that Burr drafted smart. McNabb has performed all year. DeAngelo Williams is a lone bright star on an awful team. He took the risk on Brandon Marshall and his 3 game suspension way back in the pre-season. Marshall rewarded Chris’s loyalty last week, with an NFL record 21 receptions against the Colts. This is a solid team, and they’re looking to continue their run with solid numbers from solid players. My two players to watch? DeAngelo and Brandon. No running backs look forward to the Williams Wall of Minnesota, but if anyone can put them through their paces, it’s Carolina’s own Williams. Despite injuries all year, Williams has over 1100 yards and is averaging 5.8 yds per carry this season. And what can you say about Brandon Marshall? Only months ago it seemed that there was no way back for Marshall in this Broncos team. And last week he looked like the most consistent receiver in the game. 1000 yards and 9 TDs on his shortened season, and this week he’s playing the Raiders. I wouldn’t want to be facing Brandon this week.

Now the Wildcard Warriors! Not a dominant team by any stretch this season, but they hung in there, and miracle of all miracles, they’re in the post-season where many are not. Then again, any team with Adrian Peterson has a strong shot at success, and with Phil Rivers at QB, there hasn’t been a disappointing performance all year. And how could one of my players to watch not be All Day? 1500 all purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s a machine, and he’s playing the Panthers. There have been dry weeks for Peterson, but with a guy of that talent, he’s seeing entire defenses in the box waiting for him. If Brett Favre can put his slump on hold a little, stretch the field and get the safeties to back off, there is no doubt Peterson can find some room and break a couple off. With Peterson it’s just a case of waiting for the touchdown run. Secondly, it’s the Rivers/V-Jax Connection. Vincent Jackson hasn’t quite broken the 1000 yard mark yet, but scores touchdowns and has an impressive 17 yards per catch average. Because Philip likes to throw deep, and his number 1 target is the 6’5” Jackson. When he’s not drawing PI calls, he’s making impossible catches, but his competition this week is stiff. The Bengals corners have to be the most underrated in the league. Hall and Joseph look better every time i’ve seen them, and have held quality WRs to small games. Jackson has the height advantage, and will need to use it to keep Jonny in this contest.

My pick, the Abandonded Baby Bulls.

I’m currently watching the Colts/Jags game. Dallas Clark just scored another freaking touchdown. I hate that guy.

No. 2 Rats vs. No. 3 Hustle

I hate rats.

Do you know what King Rats are? *shudder*

I spent 20 cents to see a real life giant rat in at Coney Island this summer. Thankfully it didn’t actually exist. It was a con. You know what isn’t a con? The Prypiat Giant Rats. This team is for real. Kurt Warner has had another solid year. 2 running backs, both with over 1000 yards, and combined for over 20 touchdowns. This is a frightening team. First player to watch just has to be MJD. I’m watching him right now, in fact. Nothing going on yet, but in the first series of the game, MJD was running hard and he was having success. He apparently has a bone to pick with the Colts for not drafting him. All he needs is a touchdown, and right now, I can certainly see it coming. Secondly, well who else but Just For Men himself. The problem with Kurt Warner is that every now and again, when you get to him early and you get to him hard, he does one of those self implosion games where he literally does nothing right. Luckily for Michael, one of those games was last Monday against the Niners. You know what Warner does in the games that follow those horrorshows? He explodes. Without fail. This week? He’s playing Detroit. Who Brady Quinn picked APART. Oh oh.

The Hustle? You know, earlier in the season, I found myself rooting pretty hard against the Hustle. I can’t explain it. It’s mainly that I like the shape of Phil’s face when he is losing. But as the season has progressed, i’ve learned to love this team. And I do wish them continued success, after winning their first divisional title.They’re solid all round. Lights out at QB, RB, and receiver. This week i’m looking at Matt Schaub. He’s had a career year, almost 4000 yards and 25 touchdowns. I guess it helps when you’re throwing to Andre Johnson and your running backs keep putting it on the ground. The Texans, of course, are on their annual ‘We’re Out Of The Race But We’ll Dominate In December So We Can Finish at 8-8 Like We Deserve.’ And this week they play St. Louis. Oh oh.

(MJD just scored a receiving touchdown. Beautiful play by Garrard. Go Rats!)

Secondly, well this guy is my man to watch every week, but usually under much better circumstances. Can you really expect Chad Ochocinco not to explode on Sunday after today’s tragedy? Esteban was out on the practice field wearing number 15 today, in honor of his close friend and teammate Chris Henry, who died today after an accident yesterday. Henry seemed to be turning his life around this year, he’s stayed out of trouble and by all accounts was making the most of his second chance in the NFL. It was only last week the Boys In The Pub were watching the Bengals and talking about how they seemed to miss Henry since he broke his arm a few weeks back. Just really, really, sad stuff. And you know Ochocinco will be playing as hard as he ever has. San Diego beware.

RIP Chris.

My pick? The Hustle. They’re the Chosen Ones. MJD better stop scoring though.

The Loser Bracket

Haha, like i’m gonna spend time on us douchebags in the bullshit ladder. Here are my picks.

No. 5 Tantrum over No. 6 Box Turtles

No 8. Wranglers over No. 7 Goblins

No. 10 Goblins over No. 9 Red Tops

No. 11 B’Makers over THE WORST TEAM IN THE REGULAR SEASON The Prairie Dogs.

What a terrible fantasy season.

Well I hope you’re all settling down for the holidays. This weekend I get to watch 5 football games in their entirety, go to see my beloved Forfar Athletic in the frozen tundra that is Station Park, and hang out with my Crew, who I have missed dearly. My Fast Food Tour Gang will be reunited for the first time since we dropped Michael off at Boston Airport. I’m excited.

And i’ll see you all on the otherside, for Championship week, where we’ll preview the Superbowl. Who will be competeing for the first ever MTL title? We’ll get a clear idea on Sunday night.

Love to your mothers.

(EDIT- While reading over this post, MJD scored again. Oh oh)

Venue: Almondvale Stadium

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Livingston  1
Loons  2

A win away against the league leaders with a goal in the 90th minute. Steve would call it ‘euphoria’ and Steve would be right. However, the word is Dick Campbell and the boys are struggling with the attention brought on by this new stardom. Dick in particular has been targeted, with the paperazzi doggedly picturing him doing such mundane activities as having a meal with his wife, feeding the cat or even having a few beers with his mates in Seville.

If you haven’t seen the allegedly untampered video then here’s the story. Dick Campbell sang ‘Derry’s Walls’, ‘The Sash’ and shouted a few obscenities. Sectarianism? Really? Here’s why this has been blown out of all proportion:

1) Dick Campbell is an old fella. Sectarianism and racism don’t matter if someone is old. We just roll our eyes. Like my dad, for example, he’s not as cosmopolitan or educated as me and it can be a little embarrassing. Don’t hold it against him because he doesn’t understand all the trendy new words. Like he’ll say ‘poofs’ instead of ‘gays’, ‘birds’ instead of ‘women’, ‘darkies’ instead of ‘coloureds’.

2) Everyone is assuming the video is not a fake. Arbroath fans would go to any length to get one over on our beloved Loons. Haven’t we learnt anything from 24? 

3) Listen to all the contrary evidence. Here are the quotes I have found:

‘Dear, dear, dear… they can tell you what they want son. Everybody that knows me should know better than to talk about that." – Dick to NOTW

‘We have never had any sectarian problems. It is something we have never had to worry about. I am not going to comment on something I know nothing about.’ - Forfar’s club Secretary David McGregor to BBC

‘Dear, dear, dear, they can tell you what they want . . . but I don’t ken what Derry’s Walls is.’ – Dick to BBC

4) Loon fans do not care. We really don’t. As long as we are beating Livingston we really don’t care what Dick does in the six days between games.