Want to know more about our C-Lions first away trip to Manchester to take on Rainy City’s Bet Lynch Mob? Coach Mufasta has given us a great write up of the occasion documenting their ferocious win! It’s exciting to see our league growing with now our A, B and C teams competing internationally.
15th October – Manchester, UK.
Emotions were high for DRD’s C-lions who flew to Manchester for their first game outside of Ireland last weekend (15/10/2016). A mix of nerves and excitement filled our travelling roster as we checked in to our overnight hostel. DRD and Rainy city have had many close games in the past, but their C team the Bet Lynch Mob were still unknown to us. We did know that any team bearing the Rainy name would be tough opposition, only backed up by their leagues amazing season.
We decide to wake up early to avoid a rushed start to the day, with team breakfast being priority one. Since the game was a late start we wandered the streets of Manchester for a bit, picking up the essentials and collecting a team spirit award for later. Back at the hostel we gathered all our gear and decided to have one last sit down to gather ourselves as a team. Here in the hostel without distractions, we decided not to let the occasion get the better of us, that this was something new, no pressure and a blank slate yet to be decided. We set off to play our game, our way and if we managed to leave everything we could give on the track, we would be happy with whatever came next.
As we stood in front of Rainy’s home venue the Thunderdome, the atmosphere among the team was electric. There was a new energy about the team as we took in the impressive venue. We were greeted by the officials and shown our changing rooms, the wait was finally over and it was soon show time. Quickly we got into our DRD colours began our game prep. First some laughter yoga to loosen our muscles as well as our minds. I am sure Rainy wondered what they were getting into as we changed from tame to hysterical all out laughter. The team danced the peeled banana and skipped about like lunatics. Finally any worries were pushed far away and we started into more intense and grounded warm ups.
We banded together calm, prepared and with the call for the game to begin we let out a final lion roar. First blood went to us and with a confident start we picked up a string of leads to start off the game. Rainy were constantly knocking at our walls and it wasn’t long before they too were giving chase. With strong reform and some quick thinking along the lines our walls kept the Rainy jammers at bay. While our jammers fought tooth and nail to break open the slightest gaps and jump on any opening or mistake they could find. By half time, we had carved out a nice lead, but we knew how hard we had fought to earn it and that Rainy were looking for any signs of let up.
The second half started off with increased intensity, Rainy were chasing a lead and the home fans gathered behind them. Within minutes we went from controlling the game with leads to trading them each jam, the crowd screaming with each double whistle. With some well-timed offense our jammers were always quick on the chase protecting points with any leads lost. Just as the momentum seemed to be changing our jammers pulled out a string of amazing unanswered jams, our walls tightened and wouldn’t let their jammers go. Unrelenting ferocity from the home side made for an exhausting second half, but DRD asserted their dominance and were able to pull away again. When the final whistle blew, the C-Lions revelled in a deserved victory.
We feel we couldn’t have asked for a better way to start our derby travels. Rainy provided an awesome venue, savage competition and yet there was always time to be such fun on track between jams and timeouts. They were great hosts and we would love to play them again. With a mix of elation and exhaustion the lions went off into the night in search of the after party. The weekend was an incredible experience for the team and we were delighted to share it with our travelling officials and supporters.
_ Damo/Mufasta
