Sports Carnival Champions!, posted by Twwgn @ 15.5.07
MSO, in a word, dominated the recent sports carnival by no small means, taking home championships in all but 2 events. By the end of the weekend, we took first place in basketball, netball, volleyball and tennis, missing out narrowly in badminton and positioning 3rd in football.
Proceedings began Saturday at Moore Park on a cold and rainy day. None of this affected the excitement however, with MSO narrowly missing out on a win against MSA from Macquarie Uni, only managing to draw 2-2 thanks to a late goal from their lady substitute. This left a bitter taste in the mouth, as the MSO team managed many good chances on the MSA goal, only to be caught out by a late tap in, which counted as 2 goals, being scored by a female player.
In their next game, MSO kicked off against MASA of UTS but could not overcome them resulting in their first loss of the day. By then, the weather had done a real number on the pitch, players were running in mud more than grass, but the quality of football was not dampened at all. MSO were unfortunate, with a few close calls that just seemed to go the wrong side of the post.
Finally, with 3rd place still to play for, MSO faced SUAMS of Sydney Uni in a bad tempered tie that SUAMS managed to win 2-1. With both teams showing frustration from the stress of fatigue coupled with the less than friendly weather, the atmosphere on the pitch was fiercely contested with challenge after challenge being put in, leaving the referee a very busy man. MSO managed to fight back to 1-1 after conceding early, but could not manage a second as the SUAMS defence tightened up.
What this meant was that MSO had to be content with 3rd place after drawing one and losing two, beating MSA by goal difference. MASA walked away with the football championship, beating SUAMS by goal difference with both teams on 7 points after 2 wins and a draw each.
MSO hit the ground running on Sunday at the Sydney Aquatics Centre, taking the tennis trophy by winning the mens' doubles, womens' doubles and getting second for mixed doubles. MSO took a big step towards becoming overall winners, as the tennis championship gave us 5 points in the overall stakes, combining with the 1 point we were awarded for coming in 3rd in football. 2nd place gets 3 points.
Badminton was not as straightforward however. With the tournament being played out in a round-robin format with categories of individuals men and women, doubles men and women and mixed doubles, the MSO womens' team won all individuals and doubles matches that they played. MSA did the same for the men's side, making the mixed doubles the decider for the overall badminton champions. MSA won. MSO did however, get 2nd place, consolidating their lead at the top of the overall points ladder.
The MSO volleyball team saw off all comers winning games against each uni. Combining powerful serves, soft sets and wicked spikes, the volleyball team barely put a step in wrong, giving MSO a daunting 14 point total overall.
On to netball then, MSO again leaving the MASA and MSA in their wake before coming up against a SUAMS team that had beaten us the year before, condemning us to 2nd place. This year, our netball team looked solid across every position, strong in defence and relentless in attack. In the final game, we beat SUAMS 13-6. Sweet revenge, but more importantly, all but confirming our place as overall champions.
There was plenty of excitement left to be had however. After beating MSA and SUAMS by comfortable margins in our first two basketball games, we were tied level with MASA who had also won both their games. In the final showpiece of the sports carnival, we were set to face off with MASA for the basketball crown, and bragging rights.
Both teams began the game at a frenetic pace, MSO looking far from the polished unit in the 2 previous games. MASA seemed to revel in the atmosphere, with their fans doing a good job of being heard. Fouls were in no short supply on either side, and entering the 4th quarter, the game was still extremely close. With 20 seconds left on the clock, both teams were tied on 38 points, MSO giving away two free throws which MASA converted for a 40-38 lead. MSO then scored a quick 3 pointer for a 1 point lead on the next possession, then immediately gave away another foul, seemingly intent on giving MASA as many chances as they needed. They score 1 to bring the game level yet again. With 5 seconds left on the clock, MASA manage to hassle the Jon of MSO into almost losing the ball at the right of the MASA arc, but he shows good awareness to tap it to Shane who takes one dribble to his right and goes up for the shot. The buzzer goes off and so does the crowd. MSO has done it again.
Needless to say, excitement was to be had all around for everyone who stayed to watch, and kudos must go to the MSO members who went with pride to cheer on their teams. MSO ,Sports Carnival Champions, 2007.
- October 2006 - November 2006 - February 2007 - March 2007 - April 2007 - May 2007 - August 2007 - September 2007 - October 2007 - November 2007 - March 2008
