Come to the Darkside - The team formally known as the Cobras.

For years now I have been playing with Cobras a team started by Liam ‘wetnose’ Gillions. He saw a gap in the BPL market and snapped up all the players that didn’t attend UQ, weren’t old enough for Dojo, didn’t quite have the discipline for the Buggers and weren’t from the Gold Coast. Thus Cobras was born.

The Cobra’s were loosely formed from QUT players; we liked to play flamboyant, glory, high-pressure high-reward brand of ultimate. Whilst this worked for while, we have struggled a little recently.

Thus, we remaking the brand.

At this stage we are still the Cobras, we may change this over time. Then what is changing; we are now going to be bigger than one team, bigger than a captain we are now an idea.

From here on it the ‘Team Formally Knows as The Cobras’ will now represent the NORTH SIDE.

Too long has ultimate players, tournaments and Uni’s been associated with the Southside or Westside of Brisbane with no representation or identify to the much nicer North Side.

So Cobras are now for those in the North Side massive. So if you work, live, born or just identify with the North Side, you are one of us!

What doesn’t change is our brand of attacking, high tempo ultimate. However, we are now an idea with an identity. The goal of this is to represent the North Side be have at lease one team in all Queensland ultimate competitions. At this stage we will start with BPL, however, the invite is open to all North Siders.

So to all of you who have a bit of North Side in you, come over to the Darkside. We will play attacking, fun no-holds-bard brand of ultimate doing it for the North Side.

Those who attend North Side schools, grow up, move to or just live North Side become drawn to the Cobras (Or whatever the name is at that time). From this point on We Are NORTH SIDE ULTIMATE (NSU)!

If you are interested in playing for NORTH SIDE ULTIMATE (NSU) at BPL or in future leagues or tournaments send you expression of interest to Reece Stewart at stewart.reece@gmail.com or myself, Finn at huckleberry.mccarthy@gmail.com but most importantly sign up to the Facebook group.

JOINS US on Facebook @ North Side Ultimate group http://www.facebook.com/groups/223544444400014/

Separation Issues

So Thursday night saw Cobra's take on the boys in white on the night, Dojo. Luckily the heaven's finally cleared after a week or so of continual rain, the grass was freshly mown low, the dirt moist and the air was electric in anticipation of the clash of the renowned under-achievers of BPL.

Cobra's came out on D and played some hard man to force the turn to start the game with a break. Dojo then scored. Only for import Kalin and semi-native Abra to get some D's and put some hucks up for 3 points in a row, Cobra's pulling away to be 4-1. The Dojo were making basic skill errors and giving the Cobra's the disc and not playing too hard on D making it easy for Cobra's to pull away.

After a rousing time-out speech from Sensei himself (I believe it started something to the sound of "We can easily beat this team") the Dojo came out with their trademark 'Fatty Fence' zone. The Cobra's couldn't handle the pressure of his wide spread arms and turned the disc over multiple times for the Dojo to capitalise and level the scores, 4-4.

They eventually took half 8-4 with their zone forcing turns from the Cobra's. A special mention to Wetnose who redeemed himself while saving a pass from yours truly with a greatest sailing straight back into my hands.

We came out of half fighting back to make the score 10-all. Pete was picking off all of the wayward passes out the back for the Dojo and Cunliffe was monstering around in the cup getting layout D's. The Cobra's found an offence that was working better with Kalin, Abra and I working through the middle of the zone to open it up.

It was coming very close to time cap and Cobra's kept turning it over for the score to be 14-10 in favour of the Dojo. Up until this point the game had been everything you would want, it was spirited, physical, full of passion and each team wanted the win. The next point brought all of that crashing down for me and brought the game into disrepute.

Time cap had been called during the point, this was the last point of the game, Cobra's on O. Kalin brought down a disc, stumbled and rolled into the endzone. He took a couple of steps back to the line and tapped the disc back in, UPA style. The Dojo were on the backfoot, scrambling to make some type of defence. He was about to throw a goal when travel was called by a member of the Dojo. When questioned about his call he responded by saying 'He didn't even think it was a travel, it's for a shit call made by you (directed at Wetnose)'.

There was a bit of an explosion at this point, as there always is when there is that much passion in the competition. I tried to have a on field discussion, which fell on deaf, yet steaming ears. This call was made in spite of an earlier call as there was no real premise for a travel to be called. This is just another timely reminder to all players in this competition that being a player you are also an umpire and you MUST know the rules. As tricky as this may be we need to separate ourselves from emotion while discussing the rules. And as a player, it is our responsibility to play by the rules and facilitate discussion when a call has been made. It is not only a new learning experience every time, it is what makes this game different to every other out there.

Kalin ended up throwing the goal for the game to end 14-11.

Round 4 vs Heroes

Week 4 saw the Cobras face up against the Heroes. The quiver was somewhat depleted this night with Finn, JJ, Tractor and of course Reece out of the mix. As a seventh cobra slithered to the line just before huck-off, the snakes, playing savage, knew they would have to play out of their scaly skins to avoid a repeat of the game that will live in infamy (as viewed through snake eyes).

The first few points were reasonably even with both the handlers from both teams able to evade the defenders and throw safe scores. The cobras then consolidated their stack movement and befriended the breeze, hucking their way to a 5-2 lead.

Not to be denied, the Heroes were able to curl the disc around the zone and shamed the odd defender by getting the disc on the open side in one-on-one contest. The men in green and white revelled in escaping precarious positions on the field and through quick disc movement, levelled the scores at 6-all.

From this juncture, the Cobras were poised to strike. They took half 8-6 running a clinic of endzone offence. The frisbee Gods smiled upon the serpents as an assortment of hammer-hucks, scoobers and other less-than-convential passes found their way into the Cobra endzone. It was also a much improved defensive performance from the snakes as they denied many a downfield option. Abra did well to keep Jangles under wraps, Kalin stymied all he faced and Wetnose showed the method to his madness of playing off an opponent with a goal-saving layout block.

After a post-half 6-0 run to bring up game-point, the Cobras let their guard down and allowed the Heroes a 3-0 streak of their own. Alas, it wasn’t enough to boost them out of the snake pit as a Mike Nolan scoober was clasped by a backwards diving Micka to seal the game 15-9. The serpents have gelled and unlocked the door to enjoying playing competitive ultimate. In hope to consolidate our spot at the top of the table, we now take on the UQ lovers in what should be an epic clash – just ask Erhart.

Back to Back

For the first time last week, in Cobra's short but highly celebrated past, we broke a club record. Finally Cobra's have strung together back to back wins. Just in time too, as we come down to the pointy end of the season, Cobra's seem to have kicked it up a notch with a comprehensive win over Dojo Mojo.

The night started off as like any other Thursday night. Cobra's rocked up and threw for a while before getting into the pre-game ritual of the highly recommended dump-swing-score. The clock struck 7:40pm on that somewhat nippy night and stand-in BPL overlord Wetnose pushed the button on the timer to begin what would be a ground breaking 90 minutes.

The entire first half was trading with a break to Cobra's. At about 3-all. The Cobra's received the pull right at their goal line. Foolishly Isaac Stone got himself up to a high stall count against the Dojo zone. He looks for his dump in me, about 4m away. In what was a very easy break mark shot, Isaac somehow shanked the short pass. It was floating halfway between me and a defender. I could see him running for it and as I got lower to try to catch it, the defender got his hand to it and smacked it down. But I was still falling towards him and he was still running towards me. I was getting lower and lower until my nose and lips copped the full brunt of his shoulder. I knew it was going to bleed so I took myself off quickly to get some tissues.

The next few points seemed to haze into one another as I was frantically trying to stop the bleeding. Taking medical tips from people who had done a first aid course... years ago, Mike Nolan (who used to be a paramedic) and of course Isaac who is an absolute amature, I eventually stuck some tissue in my left nostril and got back on the field.

It was an O point that I rejoined. I caught the pull and looked to Trachter on my left. I think my eyes were still a bit shaken up because I threw it plain away. I took myself off and played sparingly until half-time. Cobra's went into half full of energy and confidence but knowing that there was still another half of ultimate to be played, the score being 8-6.

The score traded for the first 3 points of the second half, from then on it was Cobra's all the way home. Highlights included; Finn catching a Callahan, Abra getting some sweet horizontal D's, Dan Young using his hops to get blocks and 2 filthy (not in the good way) hammers from Wetnose.

So that was the night for Cobra's we played really sweet offence most of the time and hard man D. We also dabbled back into the zone from last week, which seemed to work well, even against Dojo being so handler heavy (by that I mean old) team.

This week sees the Cobra's got head to head with Minor Premiership contenders Moreton Bay Buggers. We are hoping to revenge this team for the draw the occurred between the teams last round. This time we take them on with more bite.

Falling Behind

So I find myself with not so much time as I used to have. This is due to a couple of consecutive weekends of events, I have been busier than Wetnose in bed (is that busy or not?). But have found a spare hour or two on my lovely Sunday night to bring you all up to date on what has been happening around the swamp.

So in the week I was away at nationals. A very understrength Cobras went down to SFC 14-6. This could be expected with many of the top tier Cobra's not willing to put it on the line two days out of nationals.

The next game against Lovers, I had just returned from Nationals, feeling a little bit burnt out, but happy (Thunder placed 13th, beat seed by 3!). Many a memorable moments for me, some good, a lot bad. We traded all game with Lovers. I was in the stack with aL on guarding me. I had just started playing in my new boots, I made an out cut, planted my foot and did what felt like a sweet, sweet turn to come under. I thought to myself 'that was a sweet turn aL must be a couple of meters off now'. I looked to JJ to feed it to me, as he threw the disc I could hear panting and foot steps behind me. I knew this wasn't good. aL got a come from behind layout block on me, for that I congratulate you sir. Now that I think about it I think that is the first time that has ever happened to me. Congratulations.

Other miseries from the game include being 13-14 down just after Lovers had pulled to us. Robbie is on the sideline just outside our defending end zone. He looks to dump it to me. I have no one on me. He throws it right at me. While the disc floats through the air perfectly to me, I think about where I will throw the disc and stone cold drop the disc. Lovers then score to win. 13-15.

Now to the latest Cobra's opponent, Heroes. They had lost their self-professed MVP Jangles to a knee injury from nationals. Cobra's rocked up differently to how they did for their last engagement. We warmed up well and got some throws under the belt for what was a rather windy Brisbane night.

Cobra's started on defence and came down in a puppy-fence straight away. We luckily found the Heroes Achilles heel right off the bat. We broke for the first point of the game.

We were nearing half at about 6-1 and tried to switch our defence up, just to keep them on their toes. We came down in man. That point, we found out the age old lesson of, if it ain't broke.....

I seem to remember one point Heroes were coming downwind against our zone, they worked it well all the way to our end zone, it took about 50 passes, but it got there. Only to come undone with one stray pass. Cobra's then scored the up-winder for half. Cobras took half 8-2, with our very effective zone and some very cool offence.

The second half Cobra's came out just as, if not more focused as the first. We did what we needed to do to win the game. We got blocks and scored. That is not to say we didn't work hard for those blocks. Myall and George were working hard to get through our zone. They did very well popping and putting nice leading passes into space through the cup.

I believe we won the second half 7-0 (?), to win 15-2. This is how we wanted to play against Heroes in the first round, but were utterly disappointed. This time we came out and played some focused ultimate, working as a unit.

We are now back to full strength and we need to be for the rest of the season. In the coming weeks we have a bye, Buggers, Dojo and Passion. We need to win nearly all of these games to be in the finals. Let's get amongst it boys.

When Fisting Goes Wrong

If you have come to this website to seek help for Hemorrhoids, or you seem to have trouble holding your bowel movements inside, please read no further. Although, after this game I found it hard to keep my innards where they belong. After a two week break the Cobra's returned to the BPL like a mob flash dance, leaving everyone staring in awe.

We came up against thee Big guns of the competition, the previously undefeated, Passion. The last outing for Cobra's was a bit of a disappointment in terms of outcomes (a draw), but very successful in terms of playing as a team and getting those connections happening. This week, we improved in both departments. Our offence was smooth, flowing and smart. Our defence was not as good as it could have been, but with some lucky turns can be passed as good.

The game started just after 7:30pm. The wind was non-existent as per usual. The crowd swelled up to an all-time high of 3 spectators. The Cobras started on offence and scored. Passion scored, J-Mac starts the next point with a brick, going out the back of the endzone. The pull goes out the back of the endzone for the next two points that Passion score. I think Tyson just needed to tell John 'just relax ayy' before they started landing in.

Passion got up early by one, but the Cobra's fought back to take half 8-7. During the break, we talked about how it felt good to be up at half, but we needed to keep our heads down and keep playing the game. After some settling words from Wetnose, Abra took the floor with his always impressive g-up speeches. It certainly worked.

Cobra's started the second half on defence, straight away we broke with a deep huck from halfway of Wetnose to Jack, who made a somewhat awkward layout/fall to drag is toes for a goal. A couple of points later I was outside the scoring endzone with disc in hand looking at Dan Young on the break side, when someone calls a pick. I then get tunnel vision and see only Dan Young. I look at him and then the front corner, thinking about the scoober I will throw to him. Unbeknownst to me, some defence chump is also looking at me and my eyes. He has played with me too much and knows me too well. As soon as the disc is checked in I throw the scoober, only for him to give it a big old WHAMMY! to the ground. I could only smile.

The game was really tight up until 2 minutes to go at 11-9 Cobra's up. Wetnose frantically calls a time out to see how much time is left. The rest of the Cobra's talk about what a shit time-out it was and proceeded to take the field. We then score the next point to take the game 12-9. Passion were the undefeated team of the competition and since the first round has finished, does this mean that the Cobra's are the team to beat in the competition. Possibly a jump in power rankings?

Passion seemed to be playing with 3 players, the aforementioned, Gref and Julz. All three of these players have great throws, they just need to utilize good receivers in the team like Alex and Tyson. Although Alex is a great handler..... he should of been cutting the whole night. At one point I was guarding Julz. The disc went up for another receiver and I thought they have misread it so I stopped running and Julz gallops straight past me to clean up the sloppy seconds for an easy and very embarrassing point. He didn't even sky me. Even with half my height in vertical jump, he could still sky me. To say the least Passion did not have their best game of the season.

Big Props to Finn for a sweet cross-field inside-out backhand for a goal, Wetnose for some sick D and huge grabs. Isaac had a really sweet dishy pass to Abra for the score. All up Cobra's started to play more as star team rather than a team of stars. The Cobra's are just warming up for their Revenge Rampage, although we might not even have a team next week due to Nationals committments.

Also during the Bye for Cobras, A Juniors training camp was held in Geelong. During the camp both of the Stone's found out that they were in the in team and are both going to be over in Germany with me in July/August. Congratulations Boys.

Let the Cobra Revenge Rampage Begin.

Apologies & Finding Form

First and foremost let me apologise for the coverage (or lack thereof) of last weeks loss to the tall bamboo of Dojo Mojo. Game highlights can be seen here. Although to call them highlights is very Grechian. I seem to recall a Callahan by a certain loudmouth cobra that somehow did not make it onto the post. The tapes have been hidden way down in the archives of the Dojo Tea Room, never to be seen again.

All in all it was a somewhat disappointing game for the Cobra's. Many passes were not completed and we just did not have the height to contend with many long shots going to Pistol Pete Allen and Fatty. Dojo Mojo defeated Cobras 14-7.

Which brings us the struggle that unfolded tonight against the Moreton Bay Buggers (MBB). The Cobras came out this week with something to prove, penned by many to be good only on paper, the Cobra's are on their way to proving these knockers wrong.

The game started soon after Abra, Trachter and Mike Nolan all turned up late. The first point the Cobra's coaxed the Buggers into a false sense of security with a drop close to the line for an easy score. Buggers up 1-0.

The game had a couple of breaks from each side, until Buggers scored to make the score 7-all. Buggers time-out was called as they plotted to take half. The Cobra's went into this point with a cool head and chilly O. The Buggers came out with their usual transition zone. Cobra's handled this very well all night. After the zone had dissipated we quickly got into our efficient vert stack and marched it down field for the score to take half 8-7.

During half Abra spoke about not getting caught up in the emotion of taking half and losing focus. Our Puppy-Fence was forcing many turns from the Buggers offence all night, forcing them to throw a lot of hammers. And also switching it up intermittently to man just to throw them off. Our man-d was a lot better tonight also. Special mention to soon to be husband, Mr Wetnose for disrupting many of the deep shots, that Mike usually scoops up with ease.

Cobras got a break on the Buggers' leaving the scores at 10-8. The Buggers then scored, leaving the scores at 10-9. Cobras started out on O, we worked it up to about half, when there was a drop. We quickly scrambled to man. The Buggers worked it up close to their attacking end zone. They waited until there was a clear shot down the middle of the stack and took the shot. Unbeknownst to many on the field, time cap had gone off during the point. Finishing the game at 10-all (may have been 11?). Although it is disappointing to see a game end in a draw, it reflected the game very well, two teams, both with different strengths battling it out. It was a very enjoyable game.

The Cobra's players have gelled well over the last couple of weeks, there is still a bit of straightening out to do, but the mid-season come-back is on the cards. We have a bye next week, you may see some dedicated players down there training. Wetnose will be skipping it due to his wedding being that weekend (yet he has been using for the last 2 weeks). And Myself Isaac and Abraham will be down at the Aussie Thunder (yes, that's right) training camp. Which leaves only top of the table, Passion for the remaining round, before we begin our revenge rampage.

Game Faces

Thursday night saw the Cobras matched up against the new kids on the block, Heroes. Like many over at BUB, I thought this would be something like a cake walk. I was rudely awakened by the game that unfolded and tumbled before my eyes.

I will admit that I thought this was going to be an easy game, I came into the game expecting a little challenge from Jangles and Silent (or is it Agressive these days?) George. But mostly expecting to just walk in and take an easy 15 points and get home early. To say that the Cobra's underestimated Heroes is an understatement. We came into the game with nearly no respect. That is what lost us the game, that mindset.

The Heroes came out with a very effective poachy man defence. This caused many easy turns and blocks for them. They were really effective in utilising Jangles' speed and newly found flick huck. Jangles' was getting way too many hucks out, so the Cobras changed to a straight up force. This did nothing to stop the relentless hucks, nor did it get any of the down field guarders a block. With many of the hucks sticking and the Cobra's offence looking very shaky, the Heroes jumped out to a 2 point lead and took half 8-6.

During the break Cobra's leader, Wetnose, emphasized the fault in our glory game play. We were throwing shots for goals that were never on, all for the glory. He then went on to explain the consequences of such actions as "whoever throws the next shit huck, I am going to kick you in the balls". Not too many points later, Wetnose made a great swing cut, he sized up his options with the disc and saw a black uniform going long. His brain exploded and he threw a flick that floated gracefully into an empty endzone due to miscommunication, much to the annoyance and self-loathing of Mr Wetnose.

With that I reeled back in many of my choices and instead did not complete my short throws up the line and on dump passes. The tender Trachter turned up just to watch, but somehow ended up with his boots on and warming up to be injected into the game in hopes of steadying the Cobra's ship. The help never came.

The Cobra's continued to push the long shots, look off the dump and were still not believing what was happening, when sideline called time cap. Cobras had taken a few points back after half, but were still very shaky. The Heroes has just scored a goal to even it out to 11 all, on universe point.

The Cobra's were in prime position to play patient offence and walk the disc up the field for the win. But we could not shake the game that we had played all night and threw it away. With that Jangles swiftly hucked it down field and as per usual, a Heroes receiver was there to collect it. My memory of this goal has been swallowed by the misery that quickly enveloped me.

To say the least Heroes scored it, ending the game 12-11. Leaving the Cobras in disbelief. Heroes had a blinder that night, in the wise words of song smith Bob Dylan, "They had god on their side". Let it be said that the Heroes definately had their game faces on from the start, Cobra's were still looking for them when they went to bed that night.

We are already planning the downfall of the Heroes, if we are to face them next round (?), or in the finals.

Under New Management

Many people have noted the absence of a new post's on this fine establishment of a blog. It is with great pleasure that I annnounce that the Cobras blog is under new management.
Wetnose has been booted from his powerful seat as overlord of the domain. He has been replaced by a more youthful, spirited, but certainly uglier looking blog keeper. I will be covering the goings on of the weekly games in the BPL and maybe a few extra feature articles on the players.
From now on this blog goes by Mr Spok's wise words "Live long and prosper"