ARCTIC WHALES were crowned champions of the second annual Women's World Dodge Ball event in Birmingham on January 25.
Hosted by Sporting Pathways, last year's winners European Mammoths were back to defend their title, but on this occasion the trophy changed hands.
With five fund-raising events already hosted by Sporting Pathways, it was back to business again with Dodgeball, a sport particularly big in the United States which involves players on two teams trying to throw large balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves.
Main organiser, award-winning sportswoman Salma Bi, said: "We were delighted to greet teams from Manchester, London, Wales and Yorkshire, as well as the European Mammoths all the way from Brighton.
"Natasha Perry led the team to victory and deserved the title for all day they showed charisma and team work.
Five teams made their way to the Futsal Arena in Birmingham. Last year's players and new faces alike were welcomed to join in a wonderful sporting experience.
TEAMS ENTERED:
AMERICAN CAYOTES: Tina Lakeru, Meherun Begum, Chantel Hunter, Shareen Rahim, Sara Kazi and Tehzeen Sadiq.
ASIAN COBRAS: Dilara Begum, Saddiqa Shan, Aisha Bi, Jade Lapthorne, Berni Mulcahy and Salma Bi.
ARCTIC WHALES: Bethany Poppleton, Nicky Preston, Raniesha Ambersely, Mina Zahoor, Simran Panesar and Illy Oulkadi.
EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS: Lucy Harper, Anna Burgoyne, Becky Scott, Jo Rawlinson, Kirsty Lawie and Eva Ramsay.
AFRICAN MEERKATS: Hayley Shaddick, Tasha Beck, Rachel Bird, Shirley Finucane, Sue Benson and Nicola Campbell.
The atmosphere was alive and kicking, with referees aware of all rules, admin desk in preparation and teams raring to go to claim the title!
A short presentation started with Salma highlighting the rules and cause benefiting from the day, which was support for victims of Acid Attacks.
Food and supplements wereavailable throughout the day and a bouncy castle for the ones to ease the adrenaline.
Islam Channel and DigiCreations were on site filming and taking all action shots,
Captains took their places in the presentation for photographs and then each with own teams. All games were played with high intensity per 10 minutes each. The final play offs and semis were based on 'Sudden Death' matches which was newly introduced this year.
The tournament begun involving 30 players, 25 games, 4 Sudden Deaths, 2 semi-finals, 1 final and the eventual new #WORLDDODGEBALL2014 Winners #ARCTICWHALES
RESULTS
Round 1 ARCTIC WHALES 3 AMERICAN CAYOTES 0; AFRICAN MEERKATS 0 ASIAN COBRAS 2
Round 2 EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 1 AFRICAN MEERKATS 1 (EU WON ON STRIKES); ASIAN COBRAS 0 ARCTIC WHALES 3
Round 3 AMERICAN CAYOTES 0 ASIAN COBRAS 3 ; ARCTIC WHALES 2 EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 1
Round 4 AFRICAN MEERKATS 0 ARCTIC WHALES 3; EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 3 AMERICAN CAYOTES 0
Round 5 ASIAN COBRAS 0 EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 3; AMERICAN CAYOTES 0 AFRICAN MEERKATS 4
Round 6 AMERICAN CAYOTES 1 ARCTIC WHALES 2; ASIAN COBRAS 2 AFRICAN MEERKATS 1
Round 7 AFRICAN MEERKATS 0 EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 3; ARCTIC WHALES 3 ASIAN COBRAS 0
Round 8 ASIAN COBRAS 3 AMERICAN CAYOTES 1; EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 0 ARCTIC WHALES 3
Round 9 ARCTIC WHALES 1 AFRICAN MEERKATS 1 (AW WON ON STRIKES); AMERICAN CAYOTES 1 EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 3
Round 10 EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 3 ASIAN COBRAS 0; AFRICAN MEERKATS 1 AMERICAN CAYOTES 2
Points for Play-Offs
1st ARCTIC WHALES 8 POINTS
2nd EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 6 POINTS
3rd ASIAN COBRAS 4 POINTS
4th and 5th AFRICAN MEERKATS AND AMERICAN CAYOTES 1 POINT EACH
Play off 4th Place
Sudden Death: AMERICAN CAYOTES BEAT AFRICAN MEERKATS to secure there place in the Semi-Finals
Semi-Finals
Sudden Death EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS VS ASIAN COBRAS
Asian Cobras looked immense playing in the semis making a dream start eliminating 3 opponents in no time, The Cobras lost only player whilst the Mammoths were five down!! Only one more step away from the final but heroic efforts by Mammoths player KIRSTY LAWIE caused the Cobras trouble.
She not only managed to eliminate two more Cobras but also take a catch achieving a team-mate back into play. Before anything else was possible the Mammoths demolished the Cobras making an amazing comeback, spectators were in shock!
Sudden Death ARCTIC WHALES VS AMERICAN CAYOTES
The Coyotes spend most of match time far away from the centre line, teasing opponents to edge forward and risk it all. However, their luck soon ran out against the Whales who made it easy work of winning the sudden death match. Hats off to the Coyotes who made progress from last year's stats. The American Coyotes not only got into semis but also bagged another match this time up against Asian Cobras for the 3rd Place Play off. Asian Cobras won and took third place.
FINAL
ARCTIC WHALES 1 EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS 0
A 10-minute thriller, two deserving teams made it into the final.
From playing each team twice, to sudden deaths and semis it come down to another gruelling 1- minute match.
Spectators and other teams looked on as both sides took their laces for the opening rush only awaiting on the referee's whistle to blow.
Arctic Whales lost two players very early on, with former champions Mammoths taking no victims looking lethal.
However, the game wasn't as predictable as we thought. As each team mate was out and eliminated only two captains remained Bethany Poppleton vs. Lucy Harper.
This was a good contest asonly they knew what it is like taking leadership and carrying the team to victory.
With two minutes still remaining Lucy was eliminated, The Whales got themselves a point. Restarting once again the Mammoths battled hard to win back a point, whilst the Whales kept calm not taking any risks crowned themselves the New Title Winners!!
Presentation
What a Day! What a Final ! Perfect play and some superb results, many not as expected,
Teams were more competitive this year which made it even more worthwhile playing.
Some highlights throughout the day.....
NICOLA BROWN - African Meerkats player too cool for school. On attempt of running backwards fell over and was then attacked and of course eliminated.
SUE BENSON - Took on the Arctic Whales on a one-man mission and eliminated the opponents, however on the second set of play the Arctic Whales wasted no time and eliminated her within seconds!
SADDIQA SHAN - A double team throttle as Salma tossed the ball up to find Saddiqa catch the ball and eliminate remaining player SARA KAZI in the American Coyotes team.
HAYLEY SHADDICK - Only captain to gain four sets in a game against American Coyotes but they still finished fofth!
KIRSTY LAWIE Player of the Event - For not only being the last man standing but to eliminate at least four Cobras at the semi-finals, regaining a place in the final and finishing second overall.
Medals, Certificates and Trophies were presented to each team with captains leading.
5th Place AFRICAN MEERKATS A brave team which took the most risks and weren't afraid of a Live Brawl on the pitch. PRIZE WINNER: SHIRLEY FINUCANE
4th Place AMERICAN COYOTES The night watchmen who seemed less agile but enjoyed making into the semis
PRIZE WINNER: SARA KAZI
3rd Place ASIAN COBRAS Pure entertainment with trick shots and slides they celebrated each elimination as if they already won?!
PRIZE WINNER: SADDIQA SHAN
2nd Place EUROPEAN MAMMOTHS Ruthless and tactical. Reigning champions were hungry for the title which slowly slipped away
PRIZE WINNER: KIRSTY LAWIE
1st Place ARCTIC WHALES A composed and athletic team look well equipped to battle hard for the Championship.
PRIZE WINNER: NICKY PRESTON
Special thanks to Farzana Hussain, Sajid Mahmood, Naem, Reuben and media partners for supporting Sporting Pathways on the day and special thanks to each individual who not only participated, volunteered, supported but help raised funds for a good cause.
A final speech by ARCTIC WHALES winning captain Bethany Poppleton
"I had high expectations of the day, not only the great competition but the atmosphere and great cause it was supporting. However, I had no doubt that due to us losing out in the finals last year, we were not only going to make the same mistake twice but this time claim the Trophy.
"The event for us started the same way as it ended, we won every match and only dropped two points throughout the whole day.
"The consistency of Nicky Preston's catching and the accuracy of Simran Panesar's aim were great assets to our team's performance. The day did what was expected and that was to strive and victory came to us, I was very happy that I was able to captain the side to a great victory and we look forward to defending the title next year!"
#YouStillGotGame
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