Drama and upsets in knock-out stages
Date Published: 23-Jul-2012
Sport can be cruel. Even a ‘social’ sport like Tag Rugby has its downside and the knock-out stage of the competition is when this comes most sharply into focus.
No matter how laid-back our attitude, we all like to win and when it comes to semi-finals winning matters to most people.
Last Thursday night saw semi-finals in most leagues so half the participants will have walked off the pitches anticipating finals next Friday night while others will be looking forward to the final big party night of the season, preceded by a warm up match.
There were a few upsets in the semi-finals with some fourth-placed teams overturning league form and the league leaders to secure final berths.
And no knock-out night would be complete without at least one game needing a golden try in extra time to divide the teams. Thankfully this year there was no need for a coin toss to pick a winner.
In all there will be 13 finals played this Friday night as well as play offs for the remaining 44 teams. A big crowd is expected for the games and for the party afterwards in the club and on the terrace, as good weather is anticipated.
The Higher Grade has one final round of matches to play tonight but the finalists are already decided because of their league positions. The Wafflers will play Buskers Mangled Badgers in the final. The Wafflers hold a slight edge having won their last encounter 22-20, their first match having been drawn.
In Division 1 the Cup will be contested by Fancy a Tag 2 and San Quentin Tags while Your Auld One and Front Door Flyers will play for the Division 1 Plate. The Bowl and Spoon finals will be between Lambs to the Slaughter and Shower of Cúntasoirí and Gang Green and Duffs respectively.
The Division 2 finalists will be Sons of Pitches and NRG Health & Fitness in the Cup; HP Saucier and Blood, Sweat & Beers in the Plate; Coyotes versus Space Kettles in the Bowl; and Tag Me Maybe play Oldanew for the Spoon.
The Beginners’ group titles will be competed for by Cisco 49ers and The Smell of Want in the Cup; Gadaffi Ducks and Merit Meteors in the Plate; Fidelity Flyers and Galway Mountain Rescue in the Bowl; and Can We Kick It? And the Lie-Ins in the Spoon.