THE PREDICTIONS MASTERPOST! At last, the fateful hour falls! As this intrepid blogger boldly goes where somebody has probably gone before, and offers his views on the outcomes of not one, not two but THREE upcoming QuidditchUK official events: The Highlander Cup, the East Midlands Cup and the Southern Cup! *squealing!* About a week ago I put out feelers for anyone interested to offer their predictions on the upcoming events, and though I only got one reply containing predictions (by a Quidkid who wishes to be referred to solely as BFG :P) I will be integrating that response heavily into the blog, offering either agreement or contrast with their views. (I also got a great contribution from Bill Orridge in the form of the Nottingham vs Derby review, which was excellent by the way 10/10 for Bill!) In no way should this be considered a definitive analysis, Im just stating my own opinion and why I think that way :) On that note: ON WITH THE BLOG! I shall begin with Highlander, which takes place this coming weekend! (18th-19th of October). Easily the most important and groundbreaking event in recent Scottish history ;) the Highlander cup is the oldest UK quidditch tournament. It is now coming around for its second incarnation, featuring tournament hosts the Holyrood Hippogriffs alond with St Andrews Snidgets, London Unspeakables, Falmouth Falcons and Durhamstrang. Going in reverse order, I shall be offering BFGs opinion on the positions, and then my own, in either agreement or contrast. 5) -BFG: Falmouth Falcons. -B.U.B: Durhamstrang I can understand why my contributor would poll Falmouth in last place, after all, they are a very inexperienced team in terms of competitive play. That being said, I have to sing the Falcons praises after having seen them compete at Whiteknights II: Their intensive training regimen really moulded them into a core of (really really really nice) warriors! They have a good grasp of the passing game, and for an competitively inexperienced side, they have a very developed tackling ability. Durhamstrang are the team I am most intrigued to see at Highlander: An almost-total unknown, Durham are coming to the tournament on the back of only two prior matches; 2-1 loss to St Andrews and a 3-0 victory against York. I have polled Durham last simply because I have absolutely no idea what to expect from them; they have so little playing experience but then they DID offer a very gutsy challenge to the reigning British and European champs; the Radcliffe Chimeras, which I look forward to witnessing :) On the whole, I shall eagerly await the results of this weekend where Durhamstrang are concerned :) 4) -BFG: Holyrood Hippogriffs -B.U.B: Holyrood Hippogriffs I cant stress enough that this is tenuous, truly a gut-hunch and not particularly analytical. Edinburgh historically are quite a strong team, particularly in offensive chasing but I feel that their very high levels of new recruits compared to the old guard (if their game against St Andrews is anything to go by in terms of numbers) may work against them here, and I think they may struggle to place higher than 4th. The ball is in Johnney Rhodes court, as the one thing that will truly counteract the problem of inexperience is that William Wallace-esque proclivity for inspiring people! 3) -BFG: Durhamstrang -B.U.B: St Andrews Snidgets BFGs polling of Durhamstrang here is sensible, as their performance really cannot be fully anticipated and could go either way (a performance which, again, I am eagerly awaiting!) I think St Andrews will suffer from the same problems as the Hippogriffs this time around: an overabundance of new people. Let me be clear, being able to recruit a lot of new people is no bad thing, but against the higher-polled teams here I think it may an exploitable weakness (however, buy the time the 15th November St Andrews vs Chimeras match, I expect that the St Andrews squad will be fully battle hardened, freshers and all- another game that I cant wait to see!) What St Andrews have in their favour however is a powerful chasing line which should cause notable damage and earn them a bronze medal and maybe more. 2) -BFG: St Andrews Snidgets -B.U.B: Falmouth Falcons St Andews historically impressive chasing ability would certainly make them a strong contender for the silver medal, I think Falmouths passing game and ability to learn and vastly improve on the fly will carry them into the final. 1) -BFG: London Unspeakables -B.U.B: London Unspeakables On this one, me and BFG are united: London have a very, very, very developed team and a summers headstart on the rest of the teams in terms of training. Their adaptability and ability to beat a point-defence with a brilliant passing rally is renowned. Though they lost to Falmouth on what I believe was a snitch-grab at Whiteknights II, Londons seeking game has vastly improved since then, with Fiona Howatt grabbing snitches out from under the noses of Derby and Reading and with Ellie Aaen of Southampton and Team UK fame now joining the roster, I expect very few snitches to elude the Unspeakables, if any. I believe that of all the attending teams, London are the most developed and versatile and would truly deserve the gold here. The second tournament is the first of its kind: the East Midlands Cup on the 25th of October will feature Keele Quidditch, Leicester Thestrals, Nottingham Nightmares and Derby Union taking on hosts Loughborough Longshots. On all of these predictions, me and my contributor, the BFG are in agreement. 5) Leicester Thestrals. Although a strong team in their own right, sporting fantastic players such as Warren McFadyen of the Team UK 21, as well as Callum Humphreys and Abbi Harris among others, I cannot help but feel that Leicester are likely to struggle against the calibre of opposition here. This is not intended as any kind of negative comment towards Leicester, who I certainly expect to take home at least a couple of wins from the day, but merely an observation on their opponents. Do I think Leicester will give it their all? Yes, Will it be enough to unseat the other teams? Possibly not, but if I am wrong, I will personally stand up and confess my idiocy and undying love for the Thestrals in front of the entirety of QuidditchUK and willingly take my punishment of sitting in the stocks and being pelted with bludgers. 4) Derby Union It may surpise some that Derby are polled in 4th and not much higher, considering their recent, and well publicised successes. Derby are certainly not the same team who appeared at the BQC, and are possessed of some of a seriously talented beating team in the form of Libertee Hull and Phil Brown among others, and a not-inconsiderable chasing lineup to boot, as Bill Orridge noted in his analysis of the games :D. I fear that Derbys age old trouble of substitutes may come back to haunt them, causing fatigue, injuries and general wear and tear to hurt them more so than their opponents, but even if they can once again bring a sweet sixteen to Loughborough, I think that Nottinghams wrecking-crew beating, Loughboroughs athleticism and Keeles experience will win the day; but not before Derby gives them all a hell of a run for their money and several bludger-bruises. 3) Nottingham Nightmares Nottinghams well renowned beater-play will prove the deciding factor in them racking up victories at East Midlands. Nottingham are a powerful team, led by quite possibly the best Beater in the UK; Lucy B. Nottinghams strong defence will shut down many an encroaching attack, but as Bill Orridge analysed from the Derby v Nottingham match, their attack can lack versatility, relying on individual players rather than the entire chasing team. In this regard, I think they will struggle against more chaser-orientated teams like Loughborough and Derby if they can bring enough players to keep their offence strong. I predict a respectable bronze medal for the Nightmares. 2) Loughborough Longshots The last time anyone saw Loughborough, they were being routed by the Chimeras 170*-10, but now theyre back on the scene, sporting seriously awesome kit (Who do I need to kill to get one that has Brooms Up Britain 2014 on it?) and just as much athletiscism as ever. Loughboroughs chasing side is very powerful, and their proclivity for driving should force their way through most defences, though they should be wary when bludger-control is not their friend. 1) Keele Quidditch Keeles attacking lineup is among the best in the UK and always has been. Though their beating power has suffered a little for the loss of Bex McLaughlin to the Unspeakables, Captain Tom Norton can still call upon a fearsome squad that should be able to snatch the gold at East Midlands. With precise beats from the likes of Connor Simpson, the usual excellent passing from all their chasers and the comforting excellence of Alex Greenhalgh minding the hoops, Keele can face down any comers with confidence! The final tournament in this masterpost is the Southern Cup. Originally planned for February 2014, the cup was put back to November due to bad weather, meaning that the competing teams have been gunning for a chance at each other for over half a year now! The hosts, Southampton Quidditch Club, will face the Radcliffe Chimeras, Oxford Quidlings, Norwich Nifflers, Falmouth Falcons, Reading Rocs, Bristol Brizzlepuffs and London Unspeakables on the 8th-9th of November. 8) BFG- Falmouth Falcons B.U.B- Norwich Nifflers. Again, I understand fully why BFG has polled the Falcons in last place, as their comparative inexperience may well work against them. But having had insight into their training regimen and playing style, I am again forced to disagree. Instead, I think that Norwich will sadly be taking the 8th spot at Southern. Though a strong team, the Nifflers have, whenever I have witnessed them, tended to be too heavily reliant on individual players, particularly in the chasing game; which is something that opposing teams wise up to fast. My gut is telling me that Norwich will struggle but that being said I truly do hope that Norwich prove me wrong here and pull a massively versatile playing style out of the bag. 7) BFG-Norwich Nifflers B.U.B- Bristol Brizzlepuffs BFG polled Bristol a place higher than this, which I find truly inspiring: of all the teams at Southern, I am most excited to see Bristol play; in part because of their freshness in the art of Quidditch, but also because I spent a significant chunk of my childhood living around that area, which gives me a special incentive to cheer them on! (Can you say Awrigh my luvv?) That being said, I think their near-total inexperience will unfortunately work against them in this, their first tournament. On the flip-side, the inclusion of St Andrews veteran Eamonn Harrison and possibly (totally heard this as a rumour in the grapevine, please for the love of god dont assume its true, I dont honestly know and it could all be a conspiracy) Will Buss from Southampton as bristolian beaters will seriously take the weight off of the otherwise fresh-faced team, and help them to shine, knowing that their defence is in good hands. Gurt Lush! 6) BFG-Bristol Brizzlepuffs B.U.B-Falmouth Falcons I think that Falmouth will definitley chalk themselves up enough wins to claim this spot; the Falcons have, as Ive previously said, a much stronger chasing game that one would expect from a relatively new squad, with excellent passing and catching abilities, and accurate shooting to boot. Whilst they claimed victory against London at Whiteknights II (and in this bloggers opinion, would have beaten Reading too on that day had Falcon actually done battle with Roc in a display of avian predatory glory), the latter team has improved leaps and bounds since and should now be able to drive back the Falmouth attack. Falmouth should be able to crack the likes of Norwich and Bristol here, but may well struggle against teams with a more developed defence. That being said, I may be eating my words after November 1st, at which point I will extoll the myriad virtues of Cornwall all over twitter! 5 and 4) BFG- London Unspeakables (5), Reading Rocs (4) B.U.B: Honestly thinks this is too close to call! The game amongst all others that I am hoping happens at the Southern Cup will be the latest standoff of rivals Reading and London: the Rocs currently hold a hearty lead over London in terms of last-seasons wins, but London have stolen a summers march on the Rocs and have bagged themselves some seriously great experienced players in the process alongside new recruits; Ellie Aaen, Bex McLaughlin and even former Reading captain Sophie McFayden are now all sporting the purple.Now one sees why I think this is too close to call, and only by running some kind of comparison simulation game between them could truly determine the predictions: On one hand, Reading still boast a very developed and confident defensive beating style commanded by Emily Ludgate, Sophie Harris and Phillip Sam, which was a major factor in routing London back in June, plus, they still count the multi-position juggernaut that is Team UKs Lee Baughan among their ranks, to say nothing of Captain Tom Jones and Guillermo Somauno Ballesteros, (both of whom could outrun a bullet- though I actively discourage anyone from testing this theory) heading up their attack. On the other hand, London has a real edge over Reading in the passing game, they can flummox a point-defence with their rallies, particularly from Ben Pooley, whose command of the wings affords London a serious bonus to their chasing versatility. Ashara Peiris and Caspain Cunningham have also mastered interference beating (which will compliment Bexs skillset nicely) to counter Readings by-the-hoops style. Though the reflexes of Kai Moore and Tom Newton in the keeper zone will discourage London from attempting much in terms of mid-range shots, if they can (and historically they have) get a crafty pass through the Roc beater wall, especially if they time it during a beater-battle, one can expect more than one alley-oop to soar through Readings hoops. However, if London overcommit in doing so and forget to hold a bludger in defence, then one could also expect several bursts from Ballestoros and Jones to even or lead the score. The high likelihood of such a game going down to SWIM makes me inclined to favour Reading, as historically they have been incredibly good at bagging the sock, no matter the opposition, but one should never discount Fiona Howatt and Ellie Aaen when there are snitches to be grabbed. It is impossible to discern the better team here and truly the only thing that is certain is that both teams will likely be found in the bar afterwards, hugging and getting deservedly sloshed together...most likely with Matty Panda. :P 3) BFG- Southampton Quidditch Club B.U.B- Oxford Quidlings Though the Quidlings have earned themselves shedloads of glory in recent months; taking down Reading and London at Roxdon before heartily defeating the Bangor B Team, this is one scenario where I think they may lose out slightly. BFG predicts them to enter the final, making it an Oxford derby, but I think that Southamptons monopoly on all things bludger-related and the Chimera advantage in the chasing and seeking game will prove to be the undoing of the Quidlings place in the final. That being said, the Quidlings sport a lineup that should safely secure them a bronze medal, (though not without a fight from the likes of the Rocs and Unspeakables). In players such as Tom Heynes, Jack Lennard and Stephen Lillico, they present a good and varied offensive chasing line, with Emily Tough, Rix Dishington and David Dlaka underpinning a powerful beating team. Though they might not be wearing gold or silver medals, it would take an awful lot to unseat the Oxford B-Team from the podium. 2) BFG-Oxford Quidlings B.U.B-Radcliffe Chimeras. Hear me out! Hear me out! Put down thy pitchforks and douse thy torches! I know it is considered all but sacrilege to think that the Chimeras might lose a game (Im not even joking, Im expecting Luke, Jan, Dale, Abby, Ash, Olivia and all the rest to suddenly jump out of my cupboard in the next four seconds with a hearty rendition of NO-ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!) but their performances against Bangor and Southampton at the end of last season teetered on the brink of SWIM losses; both of their adversaries were within snitch-range and matching the British and European Champions in every aspect of play. With Southampton fresh from that near-victory and enjoying the most successful recruiting drive yet seen in the UK, combined with their beating and seeking mastery, and considering that the Chimeras are rather suffering in terms of beater-numbers at the minute, which injuries and fatigue will only exacerbate (though I hear Dale is all but immune to such mortal concerns such as tiredness), I think they will give the Oxfordians a game to be remembered forever. I think it will be close, so close that SWIM is needed. And although David Goswell is a miracle-worker in terms of pulling a much-needed snitch-catch out of the bag when things are looking bleak, my gut is pointing me towards a Southampton catch and victory. It will be unbelievably close, that much is, I think, undeniable, and it will truly come down to the nerve of the seekers on each team to decide it, as chasers and beaters match each other. 1) BFG- Radcliffe Chimeras B.U.B- Southampton Quidditch Club This means that for the above reasons, despite BFG polling the Chimeras as the winners, I predict that scarlet flags will fly over the Southern Cup as the hosts take a close victory. Thats all folks, I hope I have made this an entertaining and informative read. I only ask that nobody shoot or torture me or my loved ones for my percieved heresies :P Nighty Night all, and many thanks to the BFG for their boundless help! B.U.B
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 23:59:32 +0000
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