The University of Lincoln Dodgeball team competed in the Yorkshire Open at the Concord Sports Centre in Sheffield last Sunday.
The rules were simple, four groups of five teams.
Each team plays each side in that group five times, with a win for each game being two points.
All these points add up in the group table, with the top two teams from each group would qualifying for the next rounds of the competition.
Lincoln Royals 1sts
Captained by veterans Rehman Chaudy and Sam Caton, the first team began their tournament against the number one ranked team in UK, the Meteors.
Despite running them close in most of the games, the Meteors walked away with a 10-0 win, leaving the 1sts playing catch-up.
With the side looking to bounce back with a victory, the Sheffield Hallam Hornets were next for the Lincoln Royals.
Everything was on the line for Lincoln, as another defeat would almost certainly see them exit the Yorkshire Open early.
Rehman and Sam led the team by example, 2-0. First game won. With throwers Liam West and Ryan Davies hitting their targets, 4-0.
The team grew in confidence and quickly rushed to an 8-0 lead, before putting Hallam away with some impressive catches by James Urie.
Right back in it, with two matches to go.
Sheffield University were next, and the Royals were aiming for another 10-0 win to put them in the best position to qualify.
However, they found Sheffield University much more difficult to put away despite roaring to a 6-0 lead.
The fourth game was incredible. Three on two, Sheffield University were on top, sieging Ryan Davies and Keiren Robertshaw, ball after ball.
Until, Ryan made a a brilliant catch and all of a sudden it’s three vs two to Lincoln.
Pulsating, fast-paced, the two of Sheffield continued to attack, until Ryan continued his fine form and countered to perfection, three vs one followed with Lincoln finishing the game and match 10-0.
Last match, Manchester Killer Bees. Same points, this was the decider.
Whoever won this tie would continue to the next round and the loser would be going home early.
The Lincoln Royals started well, however the power of the Bees was breathtaking. Attack after attack disabled the quick counters of Liam and Ryan, and the Bees also tried to neutralise captain Rehman as soon as possible.
The Bees raced to a 6-0 lead which ended hopes of Lincoln moving on.
However, the Royals didn’t give up.
The team won the next game confidently and showed great spirit to not throw in the towel, which earned them the respect of the spectators and teams who were all watching on the sidelines.
By Danyal Khan
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