It has come down to this, the last two weeks of reckoning in the Grappa Kings League Serie A and Serie B.
Five teams can harbour title dreams in the top division, six are scrapping to avoid relegation. It looks like the top four promotion spots have been booked in the second tier, however big performances might yet turn things on their head.
Defending champions Team Ramrod have surged to pole position in Serie A and deservedly so. Their overall points total is streets ahead of their nearest rivals. However, they have a tricky trip to the Cape Crusaders in the penultimate round of games – a side with a very outside shot at the title.
Closest challenge comes from the in-form Gianfranco Gorgonzola who have put together a strong late-season surge. But both The Bootiful Game and the G31 Galacticos can still mount a challenge with just three and four points to make up respectively.
The dream is over for the Galliano Hotshots, Rockstars Fragmented and Lockerbie Legends who were all in contention at one stage. Willie’s Warriors are midtable after a topsy-turvy season and will regret a woeful start to the campaign. Sicilia have had a late season surge while the Doonhamers have plummeted in the closing weeks.
Oisin’s Eleven were also once in contention for the title but it has been a hard season for Abercromby’s medal and AC Putanesca but they will live to fight another year.
The fate is less clear for Atletico Madboy, Cantenaccio, Villaunreal, Biancoverdi and Joe Bhoy FC. They look to be in a five-way fight to avoid three of the relegation slots.
Barring a miracle, Dynamo Kev are already heading to Serie B.
Talking of the second division, the title there remains up for grabs. The Oklahoma Soccer Club hold a big advantage which it will be hard to throw away. It looks like second place will be a straight fight between Fitz_hatrick and We Ate All the Pies while the final promotion spot belongs to FC Copenhacking at present.
With nearly 100 points to make up, however, it will take a remarkable recovery for FC Pietro Nato to make it to Serie A now. Similarly, Titus Bramble have done marvellously well to get to seventh place overtaking early pace-setters like Mope Utd and Bairnfica.
A last mention for Inter Meringue, Can’t Get Right, Wynn Some Lose Some, All Stars, Old Yellow Dogs, The Damned United and Juggernaut. Thanks for competing all of you. We hope to see at least some of your sides back next year.
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Thursday 25 March 2010
Final furlong looks a thriller
It’s crunchtime in the Grappa Kings Serie A with the new format proving a thrilling success. Eight teams are within four points of one another at the top of the table with just seven weeks to go. Who can make the final rush and take the crown?
Here we band the teams according to their prospects.
TITLE FIGHTERS – Defending champion Rich Godden leads the way with Team Ramrod but only by the most slender of margins thanks to his defeat by title rivals Iain Pollock’s Lockerbie Legends. Godden’s crew had looked like setting sail for victory last week but their wings have been clipped by the Legends. Having shaken off their faith in Liverpool players it has been onwards and upwards for the Lockerbie side. One of their top scorers this week was even an Evertonian.
Also in the hunt are long-time pacesetters Colin Moffat’s G31 Galacticos. Fuelled, like many teams, by the Lampard-Drogba combo they crushed the lowly Atletico Madboy this week to move within a point of glory. Also right there is Chelsea’s biggest fan (both literally and metaphorically) Kenny Eggo. Once again, he has turned to the dark side in his pursuit of success – Wayne Rooney is in his line-up.
Rounding out the challengers are Kenny Ross’s The Bootiful Game who seem to have ditched their misfortune for a time and James Horncastle’s Cape Crusaders who have made it their stated mission to “beat Godden at all costs”. The two Rinaldis, Giancarlo and Carlo, seem to be heading in opposite directions but both the Doonhamers and Gianfranco Gorgonzola are firmly in the running for glory.
OUTSIDE SHOTS/UEFA CONTENDERS – It will take a fine finale for Serafino Ingardia’s Sicilia to win the league but they are heading in the right direction. In less convincing form are Doug Archibald’s Rockstars Fragmented (possibly distracted by the rugby), Lachlan Eggo’s Oisin’s Eleven (distraught at Chelsea’s Champions League elimination?), Willie Johnston’s Willie’s Warriors (revival has hit a wall) and Stefano Rinaldi’s AC Putanesca (fatherhood taking its toll?). Nonetheless, they could all make it near to the top of the table with a good finish.
STRUGGLERS/RELEGATION FEARS – Alex Robertson’s Abercromby’s Medal look in the best position to avoid the drop but with four teams relegated, nothing is guaranteed. After looking like no-hopers, Robbo’s men appear to have turned the corner. Pat Cook’s Cantenaccio should also be too good to go down – they have gathered less points than their form deserves. However, things are less bright for Joe O’Brien at Joe Bhoy FC (another Mogga?) and the Colthart clan with father and son Colin and Ethan in danger of the drop. The prospects for Kevin Sharp and Steve Wilson look bleak indeed. However, there are 21 points at their disposal which could secure safety with some ease.
In Serie B just like at Manchester United, the Americans have taken control. Fuelled by spiralling debts and hours of fantasy sports study, Dr Khrem – otherwise known as Mike Maliskas – stormed to the top on the back of a 122 point haul. It has left Steve Fitzpatrick and Kieran Westbrook with a mountain to climb. They are still within range but after winning the Grappa Cup, those US boys look unstoppable.
Graeme Nicol appears to have grabbed the last promotion spot although he will need to keep looking over his shoulder at the threat of Peter Bourne’s Pietro Nato and Midge Mowbray’s Mope Utd.
The amazing surge of Aidan Bain’s Titus Bramble continues and they would surely have been promotion contenders if they had not missed the opening weeks of the season. Stef Todd’s Bairnfica continue to perform well despite their cup elimination and another US competitor, Bill Isley, appears to have got the hang of things late in the season. Unlike David Wynn who has tailed off badly after a promising start (maybe too busy laughing at Mowbray’s Celtic).
It looks like another Serie B season looms for Siofra Eggo, Rossella Marrai, Stephen Heath, Elia Davidson and Frank Bentz. But they have been honourable competitors whose involvement has been much appreciated by the league commissioner. Next year, folks, there is always next year…
Here we band the teams according to their prospects.
TITLE FIGHTERS – Defending champion Rich Godden leads the way with Team Ramrod but only by the most slender of margins thanks to his defeat by title rivals Iain Pollock’s Lockerbie Legends. Godden’s crew had looked like setting sail for victory last week but their wings have been clipped by the Legends. Having shaken off their faith in Liverpool players it has been onwards and upwards for the Lockerbie side. One of their top scorers this week was even an Evertonian.
Also in the hunt are long-time pacesetters Colin Moffat’s G31 Galacticos. Fuelled, like many teams, by the Lampard-Drogba combo they crushed the lowly Atletico Madboy this week to move within a point of glory. Also right there is Chelsea’s biggest fan (both literally and metaphorically) Kenny Eggo. Once again, he has turned to the dark side in his pursuit of success – Wayne Rooney is in his line-up.
Rounding out the challengers are Kenny Ross’s The Bootiful Game who seem to have ditched their misfortune for a time and James Horncastle’s Cape Crusaders who have made it their stated mission to “beat Godden at all costs”. The two Rinaldis, Giancarlo and Carlo, seem to be heading in opposite directions but both the Doonhamers and Gianfranco Gorgonzola are firmly in the running for glory.
OUTSIDE SHOTS/UEFA CONTENDERS – It will take a fine finale for Serafino Ingardia’s Sicilia to win the league but they are heading in the right direction. In less convincing form are Doug Archibald’s Rockstars Fragmented (possibly distracted by the rugby), Lachlan Eggo’s Oisin’s Eleven (distraught at Chelsea’s Champions League elimination?), Willie Johnston’s Willie’s Warriors (revival has hit a wall) and Stefano Rinaldi’s AC Putanesca (fatherhood taking its toll?). Nonetheless, they could all make it near to the top of the table with a good finish.
STRUGGLERS/RELEGATION FEARS – Alex Robertson’s Abercromby’s Medal look in the best position to avoid the drop but with four teams relegated, nothing is guaranteed. After looking like no-hopers, Robbo’s men appear to have turned the corner. Pat Cook’s Cantenaccio should also be too good to go down – they have gathered less points than their form deserves. However, things are less bright for Joe O’Brien at Joe Bhoy FC (another Mogga?) and the Colthart clan with father and son Colin and Ethan in danger of the drop. The prospects for Kevin Sharp and Steve Wilson look bleak indeed. However, there are 21 points at their disposal which could secure safety with some ease.
In Serie B just like at Manchester United, the Americans have taken control. Fuelled by spiralling debts and hours of fantasy sports study, Dr Khrem – otherwise known as Mike Maliskas – stormed to the top on the back of a 122 point haul. It has left Steve Fitzpatrick and Kieran Westbrook with a mountain to climb. They are still within range but after winning the Grappa Cup, those US boys look unstoppable.
Graeme Nicol appears to have grabbed the last promotion spot although he will need to keep looking over his shoulder at the threat of Peter Bourne’s Pietro Nato and Midge Mowbray’s Mope Utd.
The amazing surge of Aidan Bain’s Titus Bramble continues and they would surely have been promotion contenders if they had not missed the opening weeks of the season. Stef Todd’s Bairnfica continue to perform well despite their cup elimination and another US competitor, Bill Isley, appears to have got the hang of things late in the season. Unlike David Wynn who has tailed off badly after a promising start (maybe too busy laughing at Mowbray’s Celtic).
It looks like another Serie B season looms for Siofra Eggo, Rossella Marrai, Stephen Heath, Elia Davidson and Frank Bentz. But they have been honourable competitors whose involvement has been much appreciated by the league commissioner. Next year, folks, there is always next year…
Monday 15 March 2010
US triumph in Grappa Cup
It was an overseas victory in the Grappa Cup last week as Beat Scotty for Mike Maliskas overwhelmed Iain Pollock's Lockerbie Legends in the final.
This was a particularly impressive display as it means the trophy not only leaves the UK but also goes to a second division side - although they look in line for promotion.
Sincere apologies for the late report, due to me being off for a few days.
Normal service will be resumed in future.
GRAPPA CUP FINAL RESULT
Lockerbie Legends 1 Beat Scotty 4
This was a particularly impressive display as it means the trophy not only leaves the UK but also goes to a second division side - although they look in line for promotion.
Sincere apologies for the late report, due to me being off for a few days.
Normal service will be resumed in future.
GRAPPA CUP FINAL RESULT
Lockerbie Legends 1 Beat Scotty 4
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