Day 172: Ultimate Mondays

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~200mm, f/4, 1/400, ISO 640)

The Quick Dumpers were once again pulverized...

Or... not.  More after the break.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~70mm, f/4, 1/640, ISO 200)

I guess I can no longer say that I have never seen this team win, because that's just what they did last Monday.  The Quick Dumpers managed to secure their first win of the season, during the playoffs of all places.  With the win, they can finish no lower than 8th out of 10 teams and can potentially finish as high as 7th.  Not bad for a team for whom who was literally pulverized by every team in the division.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 70mm, f/4, 1/1250, ISO 250)

Of course, as I had noted previously the team has shown marked improvement over the course of the season.  I think the final icing on the cake was the Slip-N-Slide that team captain Lawrence brought out to the game.  I mean, just look at how inspiring that box art is?  He's laying out WITH NO SHIRT ON.  That, is hardcore.  Okay, maybe they weren't thinking of Ultimate when they drew that... but it works, no?

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 70mm, f/4, 1/640, ISO 200)

Above is a shot of Wesley Wong,  going for a slide.  Several others followed suit over the course of the game.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~78mm, f/4, 1/640, ISO 500)

Slide N' Slide aside (woohoo I rhymed!), the game was very well played by both sides.  This was definitely not the same Quick Dumpers team that faced this team two months ago (on the same field too!).  Play was smooth, and those who dared drop a disk knew that it necessitated a trip down the Slip N' Slide, which as mentioned earlier, was laced with water (I think).  Good thing I had a camera in both hands... no way I could fumble a disk there.  :~)

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 92mm, f/4, 1/640, ISO 500)

Score-wise, there was no blowout by either side.  Though the Quick Dumpers too a lead about a quarter of the way into the game and never looked back.  Everytime the opposing team would score, the Quick Dumpers would rally and score at least one point on the return, solidifying if not building on their lead. 

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~105mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 800)

Ultimately (pun intended), all the "beatdowns" and "pulverizations" did culminate in a marked increase in player ability across the entire team.  Folks played smart, played hard, and made the those 'quick dumps' when they were needed.  They certainly earned their victory that day.

(Nikon D90, 35mm DX, f/2.2, 1/250, ISO 800)

Now the question is: Can they make it two in a row?  We'll see.