Final Round-up: Mini-O organiser: Sandra Edwards

Dear All
Well we all had a great time on Friday night but the ground was too wet for the tug-of-war to take place. However since the winners had been decided already noboby seemed to mind and we all got down to some serious drinking and eating.

Many congratulations to Calvin Stockdale and his vice-captains Chris Stott and Christine Rake who guided the unstoppable EastEnders to victory.

Final points tally can be found here
http://intra.icr.ac.uk/mini/results.htm

Despite rain for most of the day it did dry up and thanks go to Gary, Rachael, Jane and Jayne for an excellent BBQ and for arranging the Band With No Name who entertained everyone in the bar.

Thanks to all the event organisers, Steve for maintaining the web pages and all the team captains who valiantly twisted folks arms to get them to enjoy themselves and the volunteers who run the pHbar and sports facilities for keeping the place going so that we can host these events.

'Til next year......thats all folks.
 

Weekly Updates from Mini-O organiser: Sandra Edwards

Week 5 (14 July - 18 July)
Sorry for the tardiness of the week 5 update but I was too busy swatting up for the quiz - much good that did me!

Friday of week 4 was the darts final and the first potential East-West showdown. However Calvin let the side down by losing his own leg (its Darts terminology!) and set the scene for a disappointing result against Haddow. West Siders beat MUCRC convincingly to meet Haddow in the Final. Strengthened by the return of Steve Bevan (and apparently the absence of Nick 'Surfer Dude' Hearle) the WestSiders completed their first 12 point haul leaving East enders to lick their wounds in 3rd place.

A funny thing happened to the points table on Monday - when we added up the scores so far everyone had 36 points....spooky, call Mulder & Scully.

Much to Calvins relief, things got sorted in the Football. Both EastEnders and Physics beat their opponents 4-1 to meet in the final but this was a match too for Physics as they went down 4-0. MUCRC and Haddow played a close 3rd/4th match eventually being decided on penalties in MUCRC's favour.

Tuesday was the long awaited second round of the pool. Not so much and epic as a short story this one, with WestSiders and CRUK victorious against Haddow. The final takes place this Tuesday where Physics take on CRUK and East meet West once again.

On a damp Wednesday evening, the running took place in Overton Park Rec. Four relay legs with many of the ladies opting for the 'short leg' of 900m though many of them could probably have beaten the fellas round the 1100m. Physics had the upper hand over EastEnders this time with WestSiders, MUCRC and CRUK in 3rd, 4th & 5th. Haddow had no team so didn't improve their situation.

Thursday was the badminton final which saw Calvin on babysitting duty for the Sydenhams who despatched CRUK in the semi. Haddow saw off a weakened Physics team but succumbed to EastEnders in the Final. Physics could only muster 4th which may be the killer blow for them.

Friday was the all redeeming quiz and everyone had their brainboxes out. However MUCRC took this to mean brains out and duly had them removed. Despite having access to at least ten folks it did us no good at all and even Nick stopped complaining when he saw how useless we were. Top of the class were Haddow with 62.5 out of a possible 80.
EastEnders rubbed salt into the Physics wound by beating them into 3rd place. WestSiders and CRUK both attained more than 64% for 4th and 5th but Im so embarrassed  I cant bring myself to type what we got.....

Scores on the doors at the end of the penultimate week
http://intra.icr.ac.uk/mini/results.htm

EastEnders appear to have an unassailable lead but Haddow could still catch Physics if they try very hard. Not much separates the bottom 4 so the interest is in the wooden spoon race.

So this is it,  the final week gets going with volley ball tonight and Pool tomorrow. A well earned rest day on Wednesday followed by swimming on Thursday and the bib showdown Tug-of war on Friday.

Friday also sees the BBQ, entertainment and trophy presentation - watch out for posters and emails advertising this.

Everyone is welcome and we would be glad to see as many folks as possible. If you are not associated with a team you are still most welcome - please let Rachael Natrajan or Garry Berry know for a rough idea of numbers and dietary requirements.

See you all on Friday
Sandra

Week 4 (7 July - 11 July)
Last Friday saw a keenly fought Darts round between EastEnders, MUCRC and CRUK (well  if your favourite shot is double one).CRUK lost out again making it 5 sets of 4 points as they also lost a first round tennis game this week.
Also out of the tennis for the first time in years were Physics collecting a rare 4 points for them. The victors, EastEnders go on to meet Haddow whilst WestSiders face MUCRC.

Monday this week was the second pool of the football and with some high scoring games, Physics thrashed CRUK 9-1 and Haddow 5-0 to set up a semi-final against MUCRC. Haddow took the other spot to face EastEnders (shin pads at the ready guys!)

Tuesdays softball was the first of the finals. The report said that all games were closely matched and hard fought. EastEnders narrowly won over Physics with Haddow and CRUK in 3rd & 4th.

Squash was practically a repeat of the softball but this time MUCRC nudged Haddow into 4th but the big points were still the same.

At least EastEnders weren't in the table tennis on Thursday which should have given Physics a chance to make some ground but a mix up meant that their team were late and under strength but they still managed to beat MUCRC to take 3rd. WestSiders gained their first full 12 points by beating CRUK into 2nd.

Meanwhile the snooker has been going on in the background. MUCRC and Haddow are out. WestSiders meet Physics and EastEnders meet CRUK in the semis. - could this be the big East - West showdown weve been looking for?

Tonight is the big Darts showdown - can WestSiders find enough ringers to make up for Chris Chandler and Nick (I'd rather be surfing) Hearle's absence? Can anyone stop EastEnders who've won everything they qualified for so far?

Tune in next week.......
or follow everything day by day in the intranet

http://intra.icr.ac.uk/mini/mini_o_homepage.htm

Week 3 (30 June - 4 July)
First a couple of updates from last week

The first round of the darts last Friday was wrongly reported to me.
The real result was Westsiders top of group, Haddow 2nd, Physics 3rd and collecting their first 4 points of the tournament.

The softball result from week one will be resolved finally over a few amicable beers tonight.

This week saw the start of the rain and the risk of delayed events but somehow we managed to prevail. Mondays football round saw the first serious injury (a dubious tackle followed by a nasty fall) saw Steve Edwards limping off possibly out for the rest of the events. Somehow MUCRC still managed to qualify despite being a man short along with EastEnders. WestSiders were relegated to spectator status and collected another 4 points.

Tuesday was the second round of the softball and MUCRC kept things nice and simple this time by losing to both teams. Physics went through top of the group and EastEnders were runners up. Opponents in the semis will be confirmed later.

Wednesday was the 2nd round of the squash and unsurprisingly EastEnders came top with their superstar team (no one below division 3 need apply). CRUK lost out to Haddow for 2nd place as all their top squash players were unavailable.....

Yesterdays badminton was less of a foregone conclusion since at least three teams turned up. EastEnders triumphed again over Physics and MUCRC who again took the 4 points.

Overall, Physics and EastEnders are doing the best, having only been knocked out of 1 event each so far. MUCRC are battling with WestSiders for the booby prize, both are out of 3 events.

Tonight is the 2nd round of the Darts, always a social event so come on down to the pH bar and cheer your team, or just come and relax in the sunshine.

Tennis matches should be played next week so you can all vent your Henmania frustrations on your colleagues. Go and spectate (heckle) if you see a match at lunchtime.

Garry Berry and Rachel Natrajan have been earmarked to organise the finals night so watch out for news from them.

Finals start next week so watch the results table closely.
http://intra.icr.ac.uk/mini/mini_o_homepage.htm
 

Week 2 (23 June - 27 June)
Firstly an update from week one, Friday 20th saw the inaugural Pool competition which can only described as epic. MUCRC, EastEnders and Physics battled it out but after several hours (was that Cliff Thorburn turning out for Physics?) the scores were completely level with all teams having won a match 3-0 and lost a match 3-0. Stuart decided to play one more frame each with teams being allowed to select their best pairs based on performance so far. If it was still level then a 'nearest the cushion' showdown would resolve it. All teams having reversed their fortunes from the 1st round, it all came down to the last frame with myself and Chris Persaud for MUCRC taking on Chris Stott and Liliana Bowler for EastEnders. Chris left it to Liliana to sink the last three balls for a narrow win and MUCRC collected their first 4 'close, but no cigar' points. Official ICR Hustler so far is Liliana - well done.

Monday saw the second volleyball event between EastEnders, WestSiders and Haddow. With nothing between the Brookes Lawley teams, Haddow were beaten by both and picked up another 4 points. MUCRC will meet EastEnders and Physics take on the WestSiders in the semifinals to be played on 21st July, followed by the final and 3rd/4th playoff.

Tuesday and Wednesday were rest days as many folks were off to Guildford for the annual ICR conference but battle resumed on Thursday with the first round of the badminton.
After a dubious start when it was discovered the net and shuttlecocks were behind the bar but there was no-one to open up (Thanks to Garry for standing in), Jon and Juliet for Haddow beat the CRUK team but WestSiders were conspicuous in their absence and were awarded their first duck (nil point).

Friday was the first round of the Darts (thanks to Andy Feber for opening up the bar) between Haddow, Physics and WestSiders. Haddow fought bravely with an under strength team, Juliet having to play all three games, lost out to the other two despite poaching Steve Edwards. WestSiders go through top of the group thanks to Chris Chandlers sharp finishing doubles.

This week sees the start of the Football (weather permitting) in Overton Park - watch for emails about the state of play today, plus the second round of the table tennis.

Tuesday is Softball for the remaining three teams and squash on Wednesday. More badminton on Thursday and Darts on Friday.

Spectators are welcome at all events so come along and cheer (or jeer) your colleagues!

More info on the competition can be found on the intranet
http://intra.icr.ac.uk/mini/mini_o_homepage.htm

Map to Overton Park Recreation Ground (5 min walk)
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=525750&y=162750&z=1&sv=525750,162750&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
 

Week 1 (16 June - 20 June)
This week saw the start of this years competition with some fine sportsmen and women being put through their paces.

Monday kicked the whole thing off with volleyball in which Physics looked very professional and won both their games 2-0. MUCRC improved with practice and won their 2nd match leaving CRUK to pick up the first points of the competition for getting knocked out at the first hurdle.

Tuesday saw the heaviest rain and most intense thunderstorm of the year which did not bode well for the first round of the softball. However the miracle happened and the ground dried sufficiently to hold the event. Unfortunately one of the score sheets has gone missing and we are trying to piece together what happened from various eye witness accounts - watch this space.

Wednesday was the squash with Physics, WestSiders and MUCRC in the fray. The WestSiders scraped together a last minute team and many thanks go to Jo O'Reilly for turning out but unfortunately they only managed to earn the 4 points for not qualifying. Physics who turned up with 2 subs defeated MUCRC to go through top of the group.

Thursday was the TableTennis which followed the well attended UpsClub AGM. (It seems the club is in good health, about to be re-launched and for once, well supported - thanks to Glenn and his committee for all their effort in keeping these fantastic facilities going).
EastEnders made their debut appearance in the competition but sadly could not make the grade against MUCRC and rivals WestSiders - 4 points and thanks for coming. WestSiders made good use of their international players and ringers fron the hospital to go through top of the group.

Friday (tonight) sees the first bar event with the pool competition for MUCRC (what a busy week they've had) EastEnders and Physics. Come on down to the pH bar from 5.30pm  to show us the Colour of (your) Money and see who is shaping up to be The Hustlers of the ICR.

Finals Night 2003 News
The students have agreed to organise a BBQ for finals night and we have been promised some money from the amenity fund (thanks to Jonathon Kipling) for this event.

More news next week
Sandra