Downing Lions 9 - 7 Churchill Beta
Match Reporters' Log, Stardate 26/2/12

In a vital match for DCU, the 1 v 8 match, DCU came out with a pretty hard
fought victory against a Churchill side stronger than their seeding
suggested.

Churchill came into the contest on the back of a series of wins, including
a walk over of Darkside to get into the top 8. Like DCU, their confidence
was high and a good match ensued.

In a master stroke of captaincy, Tejas decided to recieve going upwind.
Immediate dividends were gained as we broke them hard to go 1-0 up.

After this, a long series of traded points began on the downwind. Churchill
pushed us hard, long throws both down and upwind causing concern for Lions
defenders who powerfully shut them out well.

In defence, solid man D worked well in keeping the downwind points long,
and making it difficult for Churchill to make progress upfield, trapping
them on the line, blocking the dumps and causing poor throws to be made
under pressure. Kat in particular shut down her mark well during the game.

At 6-4 up, Downing once again had to go upwind. Smooth handler movement
between Sam and Tejas provided a solid base and it paid dividends as more
neat passes landed us a 7-4, two breaks up halftime scoreline to reflect
on.

However, like the bulldogs they are, Churchill came back at us hard in the
second half, immediately breaking back with some flawless play. Taking the
next downwind point, the Churchill camp became more vocal and confident.

But one does not simply stop Lions. Holding nerve well in the face of a
comeback, it was soon 8-6. Churchill scored downwind once again to set up
the cap at 8-7.

It is points like these where men like Dan Janman excel. The pull was
received, returned, and caught by Janman outside the endzone, marks
trailing behind.

Kaustuv pulled ahead to take the short pass and complete the classic
Downing pull-huck play and secure a top four spot for the Lions!

Many props to all the Lions, including James Kenny, Louis, Helen and Jack
Scott, the latter two of whom played through injury during the match.

Next week we face either John's Wings or Homerton, both of which would make
awesome matches!

DUFF FTW