29/07/2024
Absolutely incredible tournament on Sunday.
To everyone that was in the venue for games or even just to watch, thank you so much coming in and making it as awesome as it was.
The day started out very casual, despite the beginning of the bracket holding some stomping 4-0's, to be expected of double elimination π.
The big highlight was the wooden spoon show-match, a 1 round winner takes all, for the glory of these decorated spoons. (Thanks to Joel for the excellent camera work and his beautiful artwork on the spoons XD)
Our sausage sizzle got destroyed in what seemed like 20 minutes, next time Ima need to buy the whole meat aisle of Woolworths to feed you guys damnn.
And then somehow these absolute legends were still able to run after downing 50 hotdogs each, continuing the bracket with some much more even games. Ben's Team, Bill's Team and Travis' Bonanza fought their hearts out for that top spot and made round 2 a competitive appetizer for the games that followed.
The semi-finals, while seeming like they were foreshadowing an absolute domination by 'Dead end', were very deceptive in their prediction. TRG a strong team with some relatively new players, are 4-0'd into the losers bracket where they have a long fight ahead of them. Rallying all their energy they swiftly take out Travis' Bonanza with a decisive victory, not to say that it wasn't close, as every round was merely a few points apart. This win was vital for the teams mental and gave them the warm up they needed to again face the giants of 'Dead End' - Blackout12, BloodRaven, Thommo2000 and Cherjo. The grand final totalled 16 games between 2 insanely close sets. The first set was best of 9, TRG's entry fragger Sam 'Van1la Up and Go' posts insane kill numbers to win 2 rounds of Team Death Match despite their previous 0-4 against 'Dead End'. The momentum is immediately ripped away by 'Dead End', closing the gap with both rounds of domination. The next game-mode, 'Tug of War' is where the nail-biters began.
3-minutes on the clock. Both teams begin in their spawns looking like their ready to pass out. As the start counter ends both teams immediately jump-start their legs and begin gunning to the control points. The speakers got quite a work out with the leading team changing every second. You could blink and one team had taken over the other's score. 2 minutes remaining, 'Dead End' was in the lead. 60 seconds. 'TRG' was leading. 10 seconds left, 'Dead End' leads with 12 points, 534-522. My boy Torben, 'Lost Chaka' using all his life to take these points, manages in the last 3 seconds to bring 'TRG' the victory with a 546-534 winning Tug of war.
Buzzer Beating was the theme of this grand final. Every single game was a complete 50-50, Seasoned gamblers would not touch these games with a single dollar.
The next round of Tug of War was a similar story. 'Dead End' were taking no prisoners. Josh 'Thommo2000' was relentless at keeping TRG at bay, always around every corner they turned. Jayden 'Blackout12' was the concrete of the team, building his teammates up to their best ability. Jack 'Blood Raven' lived up to his name with a monstrous performance, numerous multi-kills team wipes and round defining plays, he was out for blood. Joel 'Cherjo' was the final piece of the puzzle, a rookie to Real Combat who showed up massively when his team needed it, absolute legend, I can't wait to see what he could do after playing more.
'Dead End' scores another quick victory in sniper. The score is 4-3, 'TRG' needs this win to stay in the tournament. For the whole match 'Dead end' is one point in the lead. Their tournament life at stake with 'Dead end' 2 points in the lead, some one on TRG has to make a play. Spencer ('Frostyoso'), has 3 P.H.D's and 10 years of experience in clutch situations, so it's clear he was the man for the job. with 5 seconds left on the clock he gets a double kill to bring the round to a win. The score is now 4-4. Absolute Insanity.
The next 2 games were Death Match, 3 minute rounds, both felt like months of conflict. The first ends in an insane tied game, followed up by Spencer and Sam clutching for TRG to fell the giants of Dead End, bringing the set to a victory with a one point difference.
The fight was however, not over. Coming from the losers bracket, TRG needs to win 2 sets in a row to secure the victory.
Both teams at their wits end, agree to a best of 5, winner takes all. And the same story continued...
First match of the new set is a 5 point leading victory for 'Dead End'. A tie in the following game as well as both teams trading blows in the Tug of War matches and the sniper. With both teams at 2.5 points, Team Death Match is played for the tie breaker. It's now important that I mention the absolute GOAT, Harry 'GetSnipedSon' who for the whole tournament was printing insane kill counts. 'Blackout12' fought with all his life to bring their team the win, but TRG held in with some incredible plays to win the round. 'TRG' had won 3 sets in a row to take the champion spot.
Genuinely this was the coolest thing I've ever had the privilege to organise. Me and Travis were in the office on the edge of our seat while yall were playing, it means a lot to me seeing you guys give it your all on the field and the vibes were just so energetic and fun for the whole day. Very excited to organise another one for all of you in the future.
Congrats to the MVP - Harry 'GetSnipedSon'
Tournament Champions 'TRG' - Sam, Spencer, Torben and Jonah/Harry(Best fill in ever)
Champion Runner Ups 'Dead End' - Jayden, Joel, Jack, Josh
(If your name starts with J your automatically good at laser tag)
Most Kills - Harry 'GetSnipedSon'
Most Deaths - Sam 'Van1laUpNGo'
Most Score - Torben 'Lost Chaka'
Thank you to everyone that participated in the tournament, all of you made the day awesome and I hope to see everyone back in the next one.