introducing... the Suzhou Creakers.
a touch team based in, of all places, CHINA!
of course, consisting of expats lah.
anyway, there're plenty of tips, strategies, etc that might be useful.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Blacks Fun Touch '06 Report
28th May, 1.00pm, CCAB
Heavy rain, lightning, and the 'fashionably late' arrival of two 6-pack players threatened to turn the annual Blacks Touch tourney into a no-show. Fortunately, the Gods of Rugby had other plans and the competition was soon on its way.
2 teams were put on the slate:
MaiGoaldenAsz.....and.....TickelMaiNats
Group Matches:
TickelMaiNats started the ball rolling with their first game against the reigning champions 'Blacks One' aka 'Blacks Senior Citizens'. The game took on a furious tempo from the beginning, despite the opponents obvious lack of youth. Some brilliant ball handling by both teams provided a free flow of attacking rugby but only one team came out on top, and proved once again that being young at heart is still not enough. Final score: 7-5 to TickelMaiNats.
The next three games were a stroll for TickelMaiNats, as their two star players finally turned up to add firepower to the attack.
Group Standing: 1st
MaiGoaldenAsz found themselves in a relatively easy grouping and cruised through all the group games without breaking much sweat. The 9-0 trashing of the HDB team, in addition to a perfect clean sheet throughout the group games put MaiGoaldenAsz comfortably on top of their group.
Group Standing: 1st
Semi-Finals:
1st Semis - MaiGoaldenAsz v Blacks One
A very tense match was soon underway, with the boys from MaiGoaldenAsz visibly nervous before the encounter against the much experienced and composed Blacks Oldies. An easily conceded first try pushed the team further into frustration and the equalizer seemed to be more elusive than earlier suspected. With time running out, a one-two combo from David & yours truly produced a try that left Khairul with his pantyhose in a bunch. Unfortunately, a choking MaiGoaldenAsz was no match for the Blacks Oldies and that marked the end of the competition for them.
Final score: 3-1 to Blacks One
2nd Semis - TickelMaiNats v Blacks Three
Knowing that the 6-pack pride was on the line, TickelMaiNats made good out of this match. Not letting the physical play of Blacks Three, led by Crazy William, get to them, TickelMaiNats put their finely-sharpened move to good use. And when the final whistle blew, they were rewarded with a well-deserved win and a step closer to be crowned Champion.
Final score: 3-1 to TickelMaiNats
Finals
TickelMaiNats v Blacks One
A repeat of the first game wasn't on the cards this time, as the spectators were treated to a most exciting Final between the 2 best teams of the tourney. At a rate of 1 try per minute, each try conceded was replied immediately with a try scored. Final whistle blown, score: 7-7.
EXTRA TIME!
Extra time was just as exciting and culminated in Leander being the object of ridicule the whole day. With only just one try to wrap up the game, the Stallion forever immortalized himself as Dick of The Year by scoring a try one metre out before the try line!
And still had the audacity to smile and pose for the camera scoring his pseudo-try. Unable to put the whole fiasco behind them, Blacks One took the opportunity to score and keep the title for another year running.
Final Score: 2-1 to Blacks One
Heavy rain, lightning, and the 'fashionably late' arrival of two 6-pack players threatened to turn the annual Blacks Touch tourney into a no-show. Fortunately, the Gods of Rugby had other plans and the competition was soon on its way.
2 teams were put on the slate:
MaiGoaldenAsz.....and.....TickelMaiNats
Group Matches:
TickelMaiNats started the ball rolling with their first game against the reigning champions 'Blacks One' aka 'Blacks Senior Citizens'. The game took on a furious tempo from the beginning, despite the opponents obvious lack of youth. Some brilliant ball handling by both teams provided a free flow of attacking rugby but only one team came out on top, and proved once again that being young at heart is still not enough. Final score: 7-5 to TickelMaiNats.
The next three games were a stroll for TickelMaiNats, as their two star players finally turned up to add firepower to the attack.
Group Standing: 1st
MaiGoaldenAsz found themselves in a relatively easy grouping and cruised through all the group games without breaking much sweat. The 9-0 trashing of the HDB team, in addition to a perfect clean sheet throughout the group games put MaiGoaldenAsz comfortably on top of their group.
Group Standing: 1st
Semi-Finals:
1st Semis - MaiGoaldenAsz v Blacks One
A very tense match was soon underway, with the boys from MaiGoaldenAsz visibly nervous before the encounter against the much experienced and composed Blacks Oldies. An easily conceded first try pushed the team further into frustration and the equalizer seemed to be more elusive than earlier suspected. With time running out, a one-two combo from David & yours truly produced a try that left Khairul with his pantyhose in a bunch. Unfortunately, a choking MaiGoaldenAsz was no match for the Blacks Oldies and that marked the end of the competition for them.
Final score: 3-1 to Blacks One
2nd Semis - TickelMaiNats v Blacks Three
Knowing that the 6-pack pride was on the line, TickelMaiNats made good out of this match. Not letting the physical play of Blacks Three, led by Crazy William, get to them, TickelMaiNats put their finely-sharpened move to good use. And when the final whistle blew, they were rewarded with a well-deserved win and a step closer to be crowned Champion.
Final score: 3-1 to TickelMaiNats
Finals
TickelMaiNats v Blacks One
A repeat of the first game wasn't on the cards this time, as the spectators were treated to a most exciting Final between the 2 best teams of the tourney. At a rate of 1 try per minute, each try conceded was replied immediately with a try scored. Final whistle blown, score: 7-7.
EXTRA TIME!
Extra time was just as exciting and culminated in Leander being the object of ridicule the whole day. With only just one try to wrap up the game, the Stallion forever immortalized himself as Dick of The Year by scoring a try one metre out before the try line!
And still had the audacity to smile and pose for the camera scoring his pseudo-try. Unable to put the whole fiasco behind them, Blacks One took the opportunity to score and keep the title for another year running.
Final Score: 2-1 to Blacks One
Nike target the 6 Pack market
There is a famous saying; “You know when a team has become great when you can buy their replica shirt” So it seems the 6-Pack has become great. Seaching the KL markets it was not surprising to find Nike has recently released their own version of the 6-Pack shirt.
“Nike has been very clever in changing the traditional Adiddas strip just enough so as not to incur a breach of copyright,” says Bill the 6-Pack marketing manager.
“Currently only Absolute Vodka and Adiddas have the blessing of the 6 Pack management to market 6 Pack inspired products. Nike cannot afford to miss out and have jumped on the bandwagon in an attempt to capture a share of the market.”
Bill goes on to voice his grievances with Nikes blatant pursuit of the growing 6 Pack fan base.
“The basic design, material, colours and name (6 pac) are unmistakably 6 Pack. If the shirts were any closer related Nike could potentially be hit with a crippling lawsuit. It seems they’ve really done their homework this time, in changing the original design just enough they’re targeting unsuspecting 6 Pack fans who are not familiar with the specifics of the genuine shirt.”
Bill goes on to explain why Nike would go to such lengths to mass-produce a replica 6 Pack shirt.
“The 6 pack market is potentially huge and growing exponentially. The team has the charisma and sex appeal of the hottest boy-band, which is immensely appealing to the female demographic. Their athleticism is admired and respected by the male cohort and with Xiang Junn's inclusion in drawing the gay market there is truly something for everyone. Nike only has to capture a fraction of this market to reap large financial gain”
Only time will tell if the fans will “keep it real” or be fooled by Nikes clever marketing ploy.
Reported by Lontong (Malaysian through and through)
Friday, June 09, 2006
Six pack vs Bucks IPA
The Turf City field had one more week booked for touch. The powers that be decided to schedule a few more games 1st vs 2nd and 3rd vs 4th. So it was be a repeat of the games from 2 weeks ago with 6 Pack again going toe to toe with Bucks IPA. This time 6 Pack was without Loo, due to contact commitments. David was also absent. After being talent spotted at last week at the fancy dress game he was chosen to represent Singapore in the “2006 World LadyBoyz Championship” in Pattaya Thailand. Lucky for 6 Pack Marli and Millie stepped up to fill their shoes.
6 Pack were hoping for a more satisfying victory than three weeks ago when the teams last met. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be the case. A cold and sluggish 6 Pack team failed to fire on all cylinders and wake up. The IPA number 42 Mike also caused 3 tries of damage and successfully helped his team take a 5-1 lead. The only consolation for 6 Pack was Leanders first half score when he cleverly provided the T-pot move with an additional 3rd option.
As the minutes ticked down the realisation that 6 Pack might throw the game to weaker opponents suddenly sunk in. It was to be the wake up call that triggered a scoring frenzy and some of 6 Packs best touch rugby so far in the league. The final 3 minutes of the game saw the favourites fight back by scoring at every attacking opportunity and forcing errors from their opponents when in defence. However it was to be too little too late largely thanks to a referee who moved slower than a tectonic plate when it came to documenting the scores. The game ended 5-4, a bitter pill to swallow considering how easy 6 Pack cut through the IPA team in the dying minutes.
In many respects this one and final match reflected the dynamics of the 6-Pack team during the Summer Touch League. Times of class manufactured on Wednesday and Friday nights mixed in with incidents of horseshit.
Fortunately David had better luck in Pattaya, after scooping up maximum points in the evening wear and talent categories. He was set for a top 3 finish but forgetting to pack his Gillette Mach 3 cost him dearly in the swimsuit category.
Assie
6 Pack were hoping for a more satisfying victory than three weeks ago when the teams last met. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be the case. A cold and sluggish 6 Pack team failed to fire on all cylinders and wake up. The IPA number 42 Mike also caused 3 tries of damage and successfully helped his team take a 5-1 lead. The only consolation for 6 Pack was Leanders first half score when he cleverly provided the T-pot move with an additional 3rd option.
As the minutes ticked down the realisation that 6 Pack might throw the game to weaker opponents suddenly sunk in. It was to be the wake up call that triggered a scoring frenzy and some of 6 Packs best touch rugby so far in the league. The final 3 minutes of the game saw the favourites fight back by scoring at every attacking opportunity and forcing errors from their opponents when in defence. However it was to be too little too late largely thanks to a referee who moved slower than a tectonic plate when it came to documenting the scores. The game ended 5-4, a bitter pill to swallow considering how easy 6 Pack cut through the IPA team in the dying minutes.
In many respects this one and final match reflected the dynamics of the 6-Pack team during the Summer Touch League. Times of class manufactured on Wednesday and Friday nights mixed in with incidents of horseshit.
Fortunately David had better luck in Pattaya, after scooping up maximum points in the evening wear and talent categories. He was set for a top 3 finish but forgetting to pack his Gillette Mach 3 cost him dearly in the swimsuit category.
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Assie
Friday, June 02, 2006
The Ideal 6-packian
"A 6-packian is a man who does not boast or quit, or make excuses when he fails.
He is a cheerful loser and a quiet winner.
He plays fair and as well as he can.
He enjoys the pleasure or risks, gives his oppenents the benefit of doubt
and values the game itself more highly than the result"
Enjoy the struggle
Savour the moments
Value the brotherhood
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Run Fast, Pass Fast... Think Faster
Usual, Teapot, Ninja, SD, SL, SR, Jam, Quickie, Def Jam…
We’ve come a long way since “punch up 3 times then swing the ball lah”. I guess most of us already have a very strong idea on how touch should be played and most likely, it’s different for different players.
My idea of it keeps on changing as I play more games and I think it’s not about how fast you can burn the other player, or how many sidesteps you can pull out of the bag. I think it’s about how much faster you can think and react in the game.
Think about it, how many times in the middle of the game did you find yourself wondering, “Crap, where am I supposed to run again”? And in that split second, "TOUCCCCHHH!!!"
I guess, if we are going to be a serious kick-ass touch team, working on the mental aspects of the game should bring us much closer to that goal. Understanding why some plays are made, is most important because in that way instead of just having 1 or 2 playmakers, we have 6 players who can make the right calls at any time. Our opponents will be creamed every single time they play us because we never stop hitting them at the right spots. That would really bring our level of play up several notches and not to mention, make us look really good doing it.
"...these young guys don't realize how much of the game is played in your head. There are a million ways to compensate when one of your physical skills start to diminish..."
- Michael Jordan
So this is just my 5-cents take on what we can do to really make a difference to the team. It might not be correct because what the heck do I know, but I do hope it gives everyone something to think about. So, let’s see more numbers in training eh…
cause it’s just not the same without YOU.
We’ve come a long way since “punch up 3 times then swing the ball lah”. I guess most of us already have a very strong idea on how touch should be played and most likely, it’s different for different players.
My idea of it keeps on changing as I play more games and I think it’s not about how fast you can burn the other player, or how many sidesteps you can pull out of the bag. I think it’s about how much faster you can think and react in the game.
Think about it, how many times in the middle of the game did you find yourself wondering, “Crap, where am I supposed to run again”? And in that split second, "TOUCCCCHHH!!!"
I guess, if we are going to be a serious kick-ass touch team, working on the mental aspects of the game should bring us much closer to that goal. Understanding why some plays are made, is most important because in that way instead of just having 1 or 2 playmakers, we have 6 players who can make the right calls at any time. Our opponents will be creamed every single time they play us because we never stop hitting them at the right spots. That would really bring our level of play up several notches and not to mention, make us look really good doing it.
"...these young guys don't realize how much of the game is played in your head. There are a million ways to compensate when one of your physical skills start to diminish..."
- Michael Jordan
So this is just my 5-cents take on what we can do to really make a difference to the team. It might not be correct because what the heck do I know, but I do hope it gives everyone something to think about. So, let’s see more numbers in training eh…
cause it’s just not the same without YOU.
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