Kevin Whitworth / Jacurutu

I forgot to say, we tried the buzzer system out during the Durham match last Sunday. Despite my last post on the subject, I haven't changed it since the last test, mostly due to lack of time. Although it's audible, it's simply not loud enough during the frenzy of a game, and I don't think adding a second buzzer unit will make enough difference. So, the next plan is to get a cheap but loud car horn, and see if I can mount it in the BDH I'd originally bought to use with the piezo buzzer.

Still, we've got more pressing needs than a buzzer. York University Octopush Club (Yorktopush) are currently pool-less. Fortunately, the committee have the Easter holidays to come up with somewhere new to practice, although watch this space as those of us still in York over Easter may try and get something running before the undergrads return at the end of April.

Last Sunday saw York's last match in the ONE League, with York B were playing host to Durham, and in fact the last session at Bootham School's pool.

Durham got off to a good start, building up an strong lead in the early stages of the match, with York B hardly getting a look in. From my position as referee, I could see York put up a spirited defence, but they seemed unable to take the game back to Durham. However, although it took York a little while to get into the swing of things, towards the end of the first half they started to claw their way back into the game.

The second half saw York take advantage of defending the shallow end, and the game was looking a bit more even. Some hard-fought goals and a few good breaks helped to even the score slightly, but Durham's performance in the first half shone through to give a final score of 11-6 to Durham.

I must of course point out that this was really due to Durham cheating. They stole Ferdinand, York's mascot, which clearly had a psychological effect on the team. Ferdinand was last seen on a train heading north, and a challenge that we'll only secure his safe return by beating Durham (again!).

At long last I've got hold of a copy of the scores and final standings from the 2008 Octopush Student Nationals. The official final standings are as follows: 

They're not quite the same as what was read out at the end of the tournament (eg when the places were read out, Durham were put above York, which was clearly wrong). Also, I'm not sure I agree with them. Although the missing scores (see below) don't make a difference points wise ocerall, I reckon Plymouth should be placed above Hills Road Cambridge. Also note that the final places are not based on overall points, but the overall points within the final group - group X take places 1 to 7, and group Y take places 8 to 13 (Aberdeen actually accumulated more points than Plymouth and Hills Road, but are placed lower because they were in the lower final group). For scores of the individual games, please read on (below).

There were also a number of barbarian matches played at between the end of the round robin stage and the finals. Mostly these were former university players who've got nothing better to do than hang around their former university and keep playing octopush after they've graduated (oh dear, that sounds like me...), but the BOA, who helped out with the tournament, also fielded a team. Their results were as follows:

So, congratulations to Glasgow for winning, and once again, thanks to Warwick being great hosts, organising the tournament and ensuing party and giving us a great weekend. Roll on 2009 in Bangor!

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