ROYAL WEDDING vs. FOREST MOON OF ENDOR
by Steve “Foca” McDonnell

Royal’s women showed up in full force; however, the guys were nowhere to be seen. At 8pm there were only two guys, at 8:15 there were 3, and finally just before the pull our fourth guy showed up. With Forest having practically their full roster we knew that the rest of the night would switch between 3/4 and 4/3 as Forest tried to wear down Royal.

Luckily Royal had Carl, Dan, a cleatless Korb, and Foca (in order of talent) and a solid roster of fast and athletic women. Royal took half 8-1 with some hot gun slinging from Carl and Korb connecting to anyone and everyone. It seemed like it was going to be one of those nights where Royal could bring down everything from bobbles to swill. Forest, on the other hand, was forcing turnovers any way possible.

I don’t know what Mark Hartford said at half but I would have loved to be in that huddle. I think that it’s safe to say that he pulled out his best Yoda costume and went to work with his 14 Jedi knights getting ready for a battle. A battle that has already been lost for all intents and purpose.

A mirror half it was. Forest wouldn’t drop discs or make errant throws even when they were being fouled. Royal came out with the same run and gun style. With tired legs Royal was now forcing throws and not making the great catches they became accustomed to in the first half. Forest goes on a 6 or 7 point run and now are trading points around 9-9. Forest takes the lead on another break and now Royal is chasing Forest!

With the score at 15-14 Forest Royal gets the pull walks it down and ties it up. We pull to Forest and after the 2nd or 3rd throw there is an out of bounds call by Korb against Spencer that ends up in a small disagreement and the lights go out. It’s a tie 15-15!

Keys to Forest’s second half: Mark Hartford removing himself from play due to an injury and Punky tracking down any throw within a quarter mile of her.

Editor’s note: here’s a shorter recap from Forest’s perspective by Mark Hartford.

Royal begins the night with some well-crafted stalling while they wait for their 4th man to show up and for Korb to borrow someone’s cleats. It payed big dividends as Royal goes up 8-1 to take half with some great deep catches by Enway Hsu. But the Ewoks of Endor were not to go silently into that good night, and after an inspiring halftime speech Forest jumps on the backs of their 9 guys and rallies off 7 in a row to tie it at 8′s. With Royal starting to feel the lactic acid building in their legs, they opt for some crafty poaching and points are traded back-and forth with nary a turn. Notable moments include a Carl Edwards sky over Jason Trevor in the shaved head contest, an Andy Kennett laser to Nancy “Tang” Quan and Air Alert Alex Korb making a strong statement for best playing women’s college coach in LA as he catches a skyscraper to tie it at 14′s. With some more crafty stall tactics, Royal pulls to Forest, and with a questionable sideline discussion the lights go out. Tie game.

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