Date
Saturday February 20, 2010
Participants
Dominic Hutchinson, Simon Hutchinson, David Jensen, Kevin Nieman, Steve Tucker, Wayne Smith
Winners
Open
- Winner: Wayne Smith
- Runner up: Steve Tucker
- Third: Simon Hutchinson
Mary Jane
- Winner: Kevin Nieman
- Runner up: David Jensen
While there was no surprise who the winner was, Wayne Smith, but many were surprised that Steve Tucker finished up as runner up as he had not flicked since August 2009.
Simon Hutchinson's third place finish was remarkable considering he was under the influence of Vicodin and in some pain for the entire tournament. He had been involved in a car crash the week before, and knew that the only way to contain his pain enough to play was to take it, even though it would slow down his reaction time.
Kevin Nieman won the "Mary Jane" honor, defeating David Jensen in over time. Dominic Hutchinson was unable to complete his games as he was taken ill after the third game and withdrew from the competition.
Group stage
| Pos | Name | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| 1 | Wayne Smith | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 15 |
| 2= | Simon Hutchinson | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 2= | Steve Tucker | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 4 | Kevin Nieman | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | David Jensen | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 3 |
| Dominic Hutchinson * | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | |
Top three advance to the Open
Bottom three advance to the Mary Jane
* Dominic Hutchinson withdrew after three games. His remaining two games, against Wayne Smith and Steve Tucker, were awarded as 3-0 victories to his opponents.
| Wayne Smith | 1 | v | 0 | Kevin Nieman | Report |
| Dominic Hutchinson | 1 | v | 0 | David Jensen | Report |
| Steve Tucker | 3 | v | 0 | Simon Hutchinson | Report |
| Simon Hutchinson | 4 | v | 0 | Dominic Hutchinson | Report |
| Kevin Nieman | 2 | v | 1 | Steve Tucker | Report |
| Wayne Smith | 3 | v | 0 | David Jensen | Report |
| Wayne Smith | 4 | v | 0 | Steve Tucker | Report |
| Simon Hutchinson | 1 | v | 0 | David Jensen | |
| Kevin Nieman | 4 | v | 0 | Dominic Hutchinson | |
| David Jensen | 0 | v | 0 | Kevin Nieman | Report |
| Wayne Smith | 3 | v | 2 | Simon Hutchinson | Report |
| Simon Hutchinson | 1 | v | 0 | Kevin Nieman | Report |
| Steve Tucker | 1 | v | 0 | David Jensen |
Open
Semi finals |
|||||
| Steve Tucker | 1 | v | 0 | Simon Hutchinson | Report |
| Wayne Smith | bye | ||||
Final |
|||||
| Wayne Smith | 4 | v | 0 | Steve Tucker | Report |
Mary Jane
As Dominic Hutchinson had withdrawn from the tournament there was no need for a semi final.
Final |
|||||
| Kevin Nieman | 3 | v | 1 | David Jensen | Report |
| AET, FT 1-1 |
Report
Wayne Smith 1 v Kevin Nieman 0 (HT 1-0)
Wayne: Really tough match. I had no shots from good
angles. I managed to chip his keeper from a pretty steep angle. I
was lucky not to give up a goal because I missed several key defensive flicks in
a row.
Kevin: Felt good, but Wayne got me early. I hope I do
better later.
Pitch: Highbury
Dominic Hutchinson 1 v David Jensen 0 (HT 1-0)
David: This was my first game in many months and I had a lot of
trouble with my offense. I missed a lot of flicks trying to set up shots.
Pitch: Black pitch
Steve Tucker 3 v Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT
2-0)
Simon: It was a hard game. Despite Steve not having played
since August he found his fast game very soon after the start of the game.
My slow reaction time [due to pain medication] certainly helped with all
the goals.
Steve: After not playing for such a long time I was very excited to
get such a good result.
Pitch: White pitch
Simon Hutchinson 4 v Dominic Hutchinson 0 (HT
2-0)
Simon: By all means I am playing slower than normal, but I was able
to keep possession and exploit gaps in Dominic's defense. The first,
second, and fourth goals were food shots into the far side of the goal.
Dominic: A very bad game on my part. Definitely played slower
than usual. Hopefully I'll not be as bad next time.
Pitch: Highbury
Kevin Nieman 2 v Steve Tucker 1 (HT
1-0)
Kevin: Steve's urgency really put me on my game. He was
playing excellently, if it weren't for the missed or save shots. That was
an enjoyable match with Steve, as all are.
Steve: Fun game! Kevin's flicks were really good. He
had the bulk of the shots and deserved the win.
Pitch: Black pitch
Wayne Smith 3 v David Jensen 0 (HT
0-0)
David: I got down a goal about half way into the second [half]
and had to press my attacks. This left me open to counter attack and I
gave up to goals late in the game.
Wayne: David's defense in the first half was incredible. If
it took me two flicks to get the ball into position, it was too late as David
would shut down the opening. My first goal was around the left end [of
the defense] and a lucky shot under his keeper. Then he had to open up
and I took advantage.
Pitch: White pitch
Wayne Smith 4 v Steve Tucker 0
Steve: It is always an adventure playing Wayne! At least I
kept it at single digits.
Pitch: Highbury
David Jensen 0 v Kevin Nieman 0
Kevin: Dave had offense, but few shots were on target. My
chances were not as plentiful. But I did get one nice shot that Dave saved
miraculously. Good, tightly fought match.
David: I had really good offense and generated a lot of shots and
corners. I couldn't put one in and ended with a draw.
Pitch: Highbury
Wayne Smith 3 v Simon Hutchinson 2 (HT 1-0)
Wayne: Despite Simon being high-ish on Vicodin, he scored two
fantastic goals. The first from a bad angle, long distance chip over the
keeper off the high far post and in. The second was on the ground, off the
post and in. My first goal neither Simon nor I remembered until Steve
mentioned he took a photo of it. My game winner was very lucky. I
took a corner and I messed it up. Simon hit the ball with his keeper into
my attacker. I took two flicks and put the ball into the goal, but just
barely.
Simon: What a game! I think I played a lot better than Wayne
expected me to. To come back from 0-2 down to equalize was great.
But as always happens he does enough to win.
Pitch: White pitch
Simon Hutchinson 1 v Kevin Nieman 0 (HT 1-0)
Kevin: Simon needs to be tested for meds as he was "enhanced" like
Brett Favre. His offense was methodical, and he took advantage of my
misflicks. Good for Simon.
Simon: This was a must win game for me. Failure to do so
would have sent me down into the "Mary Jane" portion of the table. What a
game. I scored a first half goal and hung on for the win. I think I
was saved by Kevin's defensive errors on many occasions. Now for revenge
again Steve in the semis.
Pitch: Black pitch
Open semi final: Steve Tucker 1 v Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT
0-0)
Steve: A much closer game than the first. Good game could
have gone either way. Always fun playing Simon.
Simon: A very close game. I have to say I am disappointed to
have lost. Steve had lots of possession, but I weathered the storm until
just two minutes before the end. It was a great game, so much better than
the first game of the day between us.
Pitch: Black pitch
Mary Jane final: Kevin Nieman 3 v David Jensen 1 (HT
0-1, FT 1-1, AET)
Kevin: Dave is very good on offense but he lefyt his defense open
for me at times. I was fortunate to earn the draw [at full time]
and the win [at the end of extra time]. Mary Jane champion is an
honor I hope to surpass soon.
David: I played very aggressively in my first game against Kevin
and generated lots of shots. I played forward this game and got a first
half goal. I should have played defensive in the second half. I gave
up a goal in the second, and then played too aggressive in the OT [Over Time].
Pitch: White pitch
Open final: Wayne Smith 4 v Steve Tucker 0 (HT 1-0)
Wayne: Once I scored nothing went wrong. Every bounce, every
flick, every roll went my way. poor Steve couldn't buy a bounce.
It's impressive that Steve played for the first time in six months and made the
final. In addition, it's most impressive that Simon, high on pain killers,
made the top half of the table.
Steve: I was very excited to make it to the championship game!
After not flicking a figure for six months, my goal was to have a good time and
try to win half my games and I exceed that goal. In the game itself, I had
some chances and thought I did some good flicking, but there was never any doubt
about who would win the match. Congrats to Wayne and thanks to everyone
who showed up!
Pitch: White pitch