Round 2 of the Australian Super 7s paintball series was completed in May, marking the largest paintball tournament ever held in Australia, with 46 teams spread across four divisions.
2011 Division 2 Champions, Canberra’s Thundercats, marched strongly back on to the Division 2 (Semi Pro) winner’s podium this time after a poor showing at Round 1. A two pool structure was used to accommodate the 14 teams competing, with Thundercats beating Sydney Cynidate in a sudden death one vs one playoff to reach the final after scores were tied at 2-2 after time expired. They went on to win their final in convincing fashion against Sydney Shenanigans 2-1.
Uprising B showed improvement in their second outing at this level, finishing 6th and are now placed 8th on the championship table. New Zealand’s Clown Monkeys were disappointing, finishing in 12th place this round after extremely strong performances at the last 2 tournaments (not losing a game at Round 1 this year) but a 5 hour delay on departure from Christchurch on the Friday prior to the tournament and delayed baggage upset their equilibrium. Fellow New Zealand team Havoc also made the cross Tasman trip this event and fared better, placing 5th overall.
Division 1 (Pro) was won by a resurgent Sydney SWAT 4-1 over a previously undefeated Hostile Intentions from Brisbane. Hostile played strongly all weekend to be undefeated prior to the final but after inconsistent round games, SWAT found something extra in the final to avenge their round defeat and also their Round 1 finals loss to Hostile. SWAT now holds a narrow lead on countback over Hostile at the top of the Pro championship table.
New comers to the eight team Pro division, Canberra’s Uprising, showed that they could well gain a podium place this year, once they learn how to improve consistency and close out games from strong positions. Gaining 5th place overall this round, they held a 3-1 lead over SWAT at one stage in their round game before losing 4-3 with 4 seconds on the clock. It was a similar story against XFighter$, where they held a 2-1 lead before going down 3-2 and an unexpected thumping by Hustle didn’t help their cause, but two or three additional wins in the round could have seen them in 2nd place for a finals matchup. Apocalypse, as forecast was hampered by line-up changes through injury and had mixed results, placing 7th overall while Uprising still holds 5th place on the championship table.
The next round of the Super 7s series is scheduled for August 11-12 at Action Paintball Games in Sydney, while Round 2 of the National Capital Paintball League is scheduled for July 7-8 at Paintball Sports at Fairburn.
For local paintball fields contact Predator Paintball (0420580834) or Paintball Sports ACT (62588238). For more information on the tournament paintball scene in Canberra, email inquiries can be sent to act-paintball@optusnet.com.au.
[Photo by C Ruth]
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