Six Pack Is Triumphant and The Season Ends

11/16 Inwood

In a playoff series that went pretty much as expected, Six Pack emerged as the champions and posted the season's best record (14-3) with their 15-13 defeat of Four Canaries. Every other team held seed as well, ending a season that has been described as a great time and "MUD's best yet."

The championship game brought together two teams that, since week 3, had been the favorites. Two of the three times Six Pack and Four Canaries met, the games ended at universe point. At halftime, the Canaries were up 8-7. But Six Pack rumbled back and won the momentum and then the game decisively, if only by two points. Many league members stuck around for the finals and seemed to be cheering on the Pack as for most of the game they were trailing. Also, John Kim was the Canaries's captain and who doesn't like to heckle a proud new papa/co-creator of the league.

Both Quarterfinals games were something of a blowout. TStC routed Number 2 (who began the game with 5 on the line and finished with 7), and The Oneders rocked High Fives to move into the Semis. There awaited the eventual finals teams who both made quick work of their warmed up challengers. TStC defeated Oneders in the third place game. The league and these newsclips wish to extend our gratitude to all of our players. Now that Spring, Summer and Fall are in the books, we know this is a success and finally New York has a legitimate ultimate scene. Look for expansion, commercialization and exploitation in the near future.

But seriously, a super special thanks goes out to Winston Suntaree, for coordinating and acting as commissioner for the Fall. You can keep all those discs and cones and t-shirts and water bottles people left behind; you've earned them, and our warm appreciation.

Week Eight Closes Out The Regular Season and Playoffs Await

11/9 Inwood

With pickups abound, the Fall 2008 regular season came to a close in a surprisingly even way. The top and bottom two teams paired off respectively and matched records, while the two middle teams mirrored each other and made playoff seeding dependent on head-to-head and point differentials. After TStC handed a depleted Six Pack team their first defeat in 7 weeks, (14 to 12), and Four Canaries beat Number 2 for the third time this season, 13-9, both the Pack and the Canaries ended up with 12-3 records. Six Pack will get the top seed nod for playoffs this weekend.

TStC ended up 8-7 with The Oneders at 7-8. They'll go as the #3 and #4 seeds playing in the Quarterfinals on the 16th. The Oneders will likely face High Fives, who they played and had trouble with on Sunday, just beating them, 13-11. Number Two ended up 3-12 and tied with H5. However, #2 will be the 6th seed and H5 the 5th, positions these two teams have occupied for most of the season.

The quarterfinals will begin at 11am this Sunday and both TStC vs #2 and Oneders vs H5 should be exciting as these teams have had 1 and 2 point games at previous meetings this season. With people returning from club tournaments and vacations, attendance looks to be near full. Just in time to see of what these teams are made.

After Seven Weeks, One Leads the Foray, Two Refuse to Go Away, and Three Changes Its Name.

11/2 Inwood

On Sunday, another 3 universe point games were decided, an indication that nothing yet is certain in this league, not even a clear champion. That being said, Six Pack added 2 more sequential wins to their ridiculous total, now 12, but one did not come easily. The Pack went point for point with Four Canaries, actually giving up a break to let the Canaries take half 7-5. In the second half, it came down to 12-12. The Pack worked it from the back corner of their endzone, to the break side, and after a miraculous hammer catch by Alan Rotenberg, put it in to win.

The Pack's other win was against High Fives, 13-3. H5, however, was involved in the second universe point game of the day. They lost this one as well, 11-10 to Number 2, but it was hard-fought and perhaps owing to the pickups from Team 3, who joined #2. When Number 2 played The Oneders, it was a game more of lethargy than a desire to win. Both teams were number-depleted and had taken on various pickups. Oneders won 9-7.

It's possible The Oneders were actually worn out from their universe point defeat of Team 3, who has vilified their Triple Sow Cow identity and will henceforth be known as Too Sexy-to Care, or TStC. Oneders squeaked that one out, 10-9, but have assured this publication it was not for the excitement of it. With their new name and much looser morals, TStC puts up a good fight. Though, we hope we'll see more of that fight next week and during playoffs as TStC only scored 7 points to Four Canaries 13 in the last game of the day. As next week closes out the regular season, look to see roster additions to Number 2. Our hope here at The Latest is that they give the whole field a run for their money, which will be ironic since all those new additions won't be paying dues.

In Week Six, Six Pack and Triple Sow Cow Dominate, Oneders Break Hearts and High Fives's Hearts Break, Four Canaries Get Humble and Number Two Still Has No Clue

10/26 Inwood

In the Summer, Purple People Eaters had 7. To start this Fall season, Four Canaries had 8. In all likelihood, the White team in the Spring put 9 together. But this Sunday, Six Pack won two more games for a record 10 in-a-row.

It looked, since Number x had no captain, no handlers, and this week, no arms and legs, like it would be easy. But after defeating #2, 13-3 Six Pack faced the Oneders who, this week, had come for blood. High off their thrilling defeat of top ranked 4 Canaries, The Oneders racked up an early 4-1 lead. Six Pack, nearly savage against a fully stocked Oneder team, took a slow walk back to the line and after a few words from various members, scored 6 straight to take the half. They went on to win 11-6.

Triple Sow Cow also nailed down double wins this week. After beating Number2, 13-4, they took on High Fives. The game went to universe point, (the league's 6th universe point game and the 3rd that TSC has been involved in). TSC's Emily Noton attributed "good freaking attendance an' the ability to put points on the damn board" to their 10-9 win and their success this Sunday.

Four Canaries had 2 solid games. Losing to the Oneders had as much to do with steam as it did skill. Canaries had 1 sub and despite taking half, they ran out of gas. In fact, down 12-11, Brian Bishop of the Canaries made a huge layout block on the endzone line. But instead of marching it down to field to tie it, Rey Punzalan picked up the disc and threw it to Paul Wang on the other team. Paul immediately threw the score giving The Oneders the win.

Against High Fives, poise got the Canaries through to win 13-10. They went up 9-3 but then High Fives stormed back, tying it with six unanswered points. According to Canary captain, John Kim, "we took a time out, a deep breath." Then they gathered themselves and finished it. High Fives were left with 2 memories of tragic closeness that they'll try to convert into magic for their match against Six Pack next week. They'll also face Number 2 who will need some magic of their own to muster up anything. So far this season, #2 has averaged only 5 points per game. Maybe some of them who haven't been showing up should get with it and realize that ultimate is really, really awesome.

Week Five Brings Upset, Relief and the Appearance of Many Who Were Missing and Assumed Dead

10/19 Inwood

Note from the Editor: As Editor-in-Chief of these fine newsclips and also the captain of Six Pack, I feel I must take a moment to address the rumors regarding practices, and allegations that our women receive stipends to show up. Six Pack does not practice; we are just that good. And don't be ridiculous. Our women come out in droves because, our team is sooo charming, they simply can't resist. You've played against us. Your heart has skipped a beat as well. --Mateo

Like gas was leaking in the mine shaft, 4 Canaries fell off their undefeated perch this Sunday, losing to Six Pack 10-4. The Pack threw a myriad of defenses at them and, in the wind, the Canaries couldn't get the disc moving. The Canaries faced Number 2 in their next game and took out what you might call frustration. Letting up only 3 points, the game was over quickly. However, three is more than two, which is all Number 2 could muster in their game against High 5s.

High Fives finally got that long due win in their namesake week. Two of their stars came out for the first time and helped pummel #2, 9 to 2 in the aforementioned bout. H5 lost to The Oneders in their second game though. Oneders won 13-8 with style. The wind didn't seem to have the same negative effect on them as it did in their 1st game against Triple Sow Cow.

That game was barely won by Triple, 8-6. Oneders put up quite the fight, as they've been doing lately. However, a victory over TSC would have put them tied for third with Triple. Instead, they fall into a tie for 4th with H5 and face tough competition next week.

Triple's final game was against the rolling Six Pack and roll on they did. With the 13-6 defeat of TSC, Six has won eight-in-a-row. They (we) have become the team to beat. Another rumor is that the injured Previdi, H5's ex super star, was at the games Sunday rooting for the Pack. Is there another prediction in the works? We'll have to wait and see.

Hurricane Collier Hits Land and We All Get a Day Off From Work

10/12 Inwood

Kevin Hurricane Collier made one of his few league appearances, diving, rolling and catching his team, Number 2, to their first victory in 6 games. #2's captain, Amadeo, was so pleased he declared a national holiday on Monday. Two defeated Triple Sow Cow at universe point. A layout catch by Collier sealed the win. #2's next game didn't go nearly as well. But, despite losing 13-4 to Six Pack, their spirits remained high the whole time.

Six Pack went 2-0 for the third straight week. In additon to beating #2, they surprised The Oneders with a six-point, unanswered run in the second half after being down 7-4. The game was short because of time, so those six points were all The Pack needed. Next week we look forward to the match up between hot-streak Six Pack and the undefeated Four Canaries.

The Canaries had their way with the High Fives this Sunday, winning 13-6. But they were given a real (universe point) scare by The Oneders. Canary capt., John Kim, blames the closeness on that fact that The Oneders were loaned one player so they wouldn't be savage. Nonetheless, no team has been able to defeat them although 3 different teams have been within one point.

High Fives suffered two more loses to make it 6 in a row. Their constant and fair complaint is that no one on their roster shows up. We'll see if H5's captain, Gervais can write a persuasive email this week and get his team out for a long-due win.

Triple Sow Cow went 1-1 despite a boastful proclamation from Venu: "when we're all here, we're the best in the league." Well almost all of them we're present, hmmm. Perhaps what Venu meant was that even the best can lose. In another proclamation that enacted the spirit of the league, the Oneders' captain, Blake Redding was asked to comment on his team's chance of winning against 4 Canaries, down 7-5 at half. Redding answered: "Chance of winning? I cannot say. Chance of fun? 100%."

With Only Winners and Losers, Week Three Is Streak Week

10/5 Inwood

Teams 1, 4 and 6 go two for two this Sunday and look good doing it. In fact, the Four Canaries only allowed 11 points all day (not enough for a win). The Oneders come out of a 4-game losing slump to rock both High Fives and Number 2. Well-placed throws and excellent women make them appear contenders from here on out. Six Pack actually assessed 3 points on Triple Sow Cow in the day's first game, not for cheating this time, but for being over 40 minutes late. The Pack went on to win 12-5. Triple's captain Merkel however, brought brand new discs for everyone and they're quite lovely.

Attendance hurt Triple in their next game against tough Canaries as well. The High Fives were also without key players and lost twice. They're now on a four game losing streak. Number 2 showed up with 6 players and needed to recruit from teams with byes throughout the day. They put up a couple decent fights even with stripped down numbers. They fall into last place with 5 losses in a row.

Rostering Scandal Rocks Week Two of Official League Play

9/28 Inwood

Triple Sow Cow chalked up two easy wins this weekend, but anything is easy when you put a couple ringers on your roster. With their captain absent, the scrubs of Triple Sow Cow invited two known ringers, who are not official members of the league, to fill out their roster against Number 2 and then High Fives on Sunday. Though both captains of #2 and H5 were present, neither was asked if the additions would be OK. While all captains eventually agreed that the scores will go into the books, League Commissioner Suntaree issued two rule clarifications

1. All captains must approve off roster pickups.

2. League Commissioner must approve all out of league pickups.

Both Six Pack and Four Canaries rolled out double wins on Sunday, and quite legally too. For now, the Canaries seem the team to beat but the league hasn't seen Six Pack at full strength yet. The Oneders and Number 2 continue to struggle but should be helped by the upcoming supplemental draft.

Initial Play Suggests MUD Will Pull It Off Again This Autumn

9/14 Inwood

Week One and another season of Manhattan Ultimate Disc has begun. This Fall looks to shape up like gymnast thighs. Early on we see strong contention from teams 4 and 5, Four Canaries and High Fives, respectively. Each put up two wins, though it took the Canaries two universe points to do so. Team 1, the Oneders, and team 6, Six Pack, both suffered a pair of losses. Yet both were missing a myriad of their players. Number 2 and Triple Sow Cow had mixed results but both boasted solid and, at numerous times, threatening showings.

Next week's games will most likely be cancelled in favor of pickup, as several league members will be attending club tournaments. Be that as it is, expect surprizes and splendor come the 28th of September.