So it's our final hours in Langkawi, Malaysia where we competed in the last leg of the PALS series for 2012. WCA is the pinnacle of paintball on this side of the world -- the PALs organisers have done a fantastic job one-upping themselves every year with the quality of this event.
I don't know what to say other than we played amazing at this tournament. I'm very proud of the team. This was the fourth year in a row that we have been in the top 4 at WCA. It's difficult to do, it's never effortless and is never given to us, and is the result of the same guys playing every week for so many years. Our two new players this year really added to our team as well, both in skills and also in that their enthusiasm rejuvenated our passion for the game too to an extent. Devon Stutz from Dye also played with us at this event. He fit right in and it feels like he's already part of the furniture.
We went through the prelims winning 4 games of 5. Nemesis was playing the best I'd ever seen, giving us our only loss of the prelims. We beat Datis, Blade, Lost Boyz and Raskal to put us through to the top 12. Our top 12 games saw us face off against Infernal, Lost Boyz and Ronin. We won against both Lost Boyz and Ronin, which secured our place in the quarter finals. While we obviously still wanted to win against Infernal, who was playing outstanding, we also needed to use this game to learn how to beat them. We tried some stuff against them but lost pretty bad.
We met Lost Boyz again in the quarter finals. We started the game hot, getting up points on them quickly. They bought the game back to a 1 point match, but just ran out of time to send us home, putting us through to the semi finals.
We versed Xtioneers in the semis. They had been playing strong, especially with some imports on their roster who were looking frightening down the dorito side. We we playing as a team though and defeated them 4-1.
This left us to verse Infernal for the final match. It was back and forth with the score sitting at 2-2, but we lost the next point which, given the remaining time was the most important point of the match. So with the score at 2-3, we only had 50 seconds left to tie the game. Against a team like Infernal, we knew it would be really difficult. They beat us. And that was it. Second place at WCA.
Infernal is an excellent team, they are very strong and also clean. We definitely have a lot of respect for them and are happy for them to have won.
We represented Australia in the Intercontinental Cup. We played against San Deigo Dynasty and Los Angeles Infamous. Playing against them was definitely memorable and a good experience.
So many people helped us in one way or another at the event -- thanks for all your support. Especially thanks to our mini paintball family; Brad, Christine, Kirra and Michelle. Your support is endlessly appreciated. Dye -- we are looked after so well by you guys. It's so easy to endorse Dye's products because they're the best. I think the referees need a mention in here too as they did an excellent job with some damn long days in there! And the PALS series organisers. I think paintball in Asia can only keep going up.
Back to training and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2013.
