Awful Dodgers live up to name instead of reputation

Apologies for the delay on this match report. Dedicated followers would have already noted that I have updated the results page, which would have provided a more than adequate explanation for my lack of enthusiasm to post this weeks report.

Warning: This posting is not for the feint-hearted. Sensitive Awful Dodger fans should look away now.

With high hopes bolstered by last week's perfect set of the results the Awful Dodgers arrived a T47 with a strut in their step, a couple of keen debutants and I had the lethargy of a hungover man. Read below to seehow our our elevated title hopes came crashing to the floor like the ceiling of a Commonwealth Games weightlifting venue, or nearby bridge.

Its difficult to write this but it is my duty to report on both victory and defeat.

To paraphrase Rudyard Kipling.

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same..................

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Dodgeball Legend!"

Game One: v Bad Balls
Our clash with Bad Balls should have been an extension of last weeks good form setting us nicely for a top of the table clash against SWAT. However, my decision to throw the new kids in straight away left us exposed and we never got going. The worst thing about the defeat was the bad taste the Bad Balls left in our mouths. Especially Jason. After a sterling effort by Mr Coggles in the first set Jason was left fuming when a 'hit' he made on the oppositions 'self-appointed' best player was missed by the referee and said player failed to play in the spirit of Dodgeball and 'walk'. We have a new nemesis and JC is already itching for revenge in the return fixture. Karma, however, can always be trusted to make a swift appearance and in their next game when Bad Balls' cheat in chief received a hefty shot in the family jewels to everyone's amusement.
Honourable mentions to Jason and Caroline for being the last player dodging in each set.
In truth, we could have beaten this lot. We'll be going in full strength against them

Result: Awful Dodgers 0 Bad Balls 2

Game 2: SWAT
\We didn't expect much from this team in terms of favours and we weren't disappointed. SWAT are clearly the best side in the league made up of ultra competitive softball players. The main pre-match excitement was the anticipation of encountering their boss Dodgeball Mourinho.
In the bar before the game it looked for a momment that DM was ditching his coaching role to lead by expample and play with his team. However, this assumption was proved wrong when it turned out that he had decided to ditch the sharp suit in favour of showing solidarity with his team by wearing their colours.
As for the game, the first set was encouraging as our strongest side found themselves very quickly 4-2 players up. However, a mix of total shock amongst our troops and dogged resistance from SWAT meant that the tables were swiftly turned. the 2nd set went to form for another straight sets defeat. Depressing as it sounds, this performance was the most encouraging as it showed that when we're on our game. With a little discipline we can really push the top sides.

Result Awful Dodgers 0 SWAT 1

v The Jammie Dodgers
Oh, Oh Dear, Oh Dear.....This was depressing. I'm not sure that if its because the JDs are the worst team in the league whom we easily beat last week. Or the fact that after a poor start and team changes we got ourselves back into the match and had a chance to close it out but blew it. A lack of organisation let the JD's secure their first ever victory. Albeit because of a few missed decisions by an inexperienced ref, but we shouldn't complain, the JD's play to the true spirit of Dodgeball and are a decent bunch. It took me a good couple of jugs of beers to blot this from my memory. Embarrassing.

Result: Awful Dodgers 1 Jammie Dodgers 2

So what did we learn? I always like to take positives from bad days at the office.

This weeks were:
I will be taking on board Jason's recommendation to rotate the squad in between sets.
We can give SWAT a good game if we raise our game.
Bad Balls are beatable.
I won't be turning up hungover in future, I put my hands up, I was hopeless this week.
We help make the Jammie Dodgers night.

Until next time. A 3 week "mid-season" break will hopefully allow us to recharge our batteries and come back stronger.