This past Saturday the Blue-Tang Clan rose from their relative obscurity of a 4-6 season to claim the title of Mid-Summer Champs.
Their day started in a pool with two teams that had previously defeated them, SPF-175 and Mean HO Green. Knowing that the only way to the bracket was to win every game, Blue-Tang took early leads in their pool play games but allowed each opponent to come back and reach universal game point. For three consecutive games they maintained their composure and finished off the opposition by the slimmest of margins.
In the semis, Blue-Tang faced Chilipeno for the first time this season. Being forewarned about the Oaks-to-Oaks connection, the blue team played aggressive defense and managed to win their first game of the day by more than one point.
The finals pitted them against Mike Murphy's Huckamole. By this time the sun was out and it was HOT. Both teams used their share of timeouts and tried their best to play smart, conservative Ultimate. Huckamole took an early lead and maintained it all the way to a 10-7 game point. However, Blue-Tang miraculously managed to get two breaks back and tie it at 10-10. Needing to win by two, the game went into overtime. After a little back and forth, Blue-Tang took their first lead of the game at 12-11. Then, thanks to a big D by Wes Bullock, the blue team marched it down the field decisively for the score; Blue-Tang Clan over Huckamole 13-11.
The most noteworthy performances of the day have to go to Blue-Tang's three women. They played a short rotation through 5 games in some of the hottest conditions Talladega has to offer.
Congrats Blue-Tang Clan.
