Wednesday 4th November saw Bristol’s Ultimate Frisbee team make the big trip down to Southampton for their first ever BUCS Wednesdays clash in history! Bristol went into the game firm favourites, after a number of very successful seasons for the team. However, the boys knew they had to be at their best to beat a resurgent Southampton side, with many key Bristol faces missing.

        The boys had an aggressive gameplan of hard defence in the first 20 minutes in an attempt to run away with the game early on. This didn’t pan out. After some superb Southampton deep throws, coupled with slack Bristol positioning the lead was being traded point after point and a tight game unfolded. After some early drops, Bristol turned to their ever reliable long game lead by the American star Mark Stumpf. Whilst this approach gave Bristol some cheap points, it didn’t allow the lads to pull away from a dogged Southampton.

        A scrappy, tight game continued to 10-10 where the hooter went to signal the end of normal time. A clever Southampton move took the point to give them an 11-10 lead, leaving the game as first to 12. Bristol, knowing they had to take both proceeding points, changed their style to a shorter game they have been famed for in the past. An unlucky turnover from Bristol offered Southampton an opportunity to take the game. Confusion at the back looked to have lost it for Bristol as the ever reliable Southampton captain fired a backhand down the line towards the open hands of his receiver. Not so. Bristol’s captain Jamie Lowe came sprinting across to make a fingertip diving D on the disc, giving Bristol one final roll of the dice.

        Bristol quickly worked the disc up the field and an inch perfect Matt Nahajski throw followed by an outrageous catch from Carlo Page pulled Bristol level. The game came down to a sudden death point, with Bristol starting on D. Bristol tight marking quickly forced a turnover, giving them the chance to win the match. A shrewd throw from Nate Sanders opened up the pitch to allow Jamie Lowe to throw into Man of the Match Matt Nahajski to seal a historic win for Bristol!

        The team now turns their attention to their next game, the local derby and potential title decider against Bath next Wednesday. Their pursuit of nationals continues…

Jamie Lowe
Men's Captain