Friday 10 July 2020

Johannesburg: Back to the Tables after 100 Days of Lockdown


Saturday the 4th of July saw the Joburg TFC aka The Eagles, host the first official Subbuteo Tournament since Lockdown was announced in South Africa exactly 100 days ago. 

Once again, Randburg AFC played host to the tournament that saw a good field of 10 players from the three Subbuteo clubs in the Gauteng Province flicking for the title.

Four newbies were also playing in there first tournament and by all accounts they will definitely be back on the tables for future tournaments.

The 10 participants were drawn into two groups of five players with each group playing on their own dedicated field. 

Group A saw pre-tournament favourite Clifford Graaff, Fernando Rodrigues, Alex Rodrigues and newbies, Liam Chapman and under 13 player Declan Wright. Final positions went according to ranking with Clifford pipping Fernando to top spot by virtue of a better goal difference. Liam ended third, with Alex and Declan claiming positions 4 and 5 respectively.

Group B saw favourite Jason Kennedy claim top spot with Gary pipping Carl for a runners-up spot and qualifying for the semi finals. The first Malawian to participate in a South African Tournament,Paul Seemu, surprised all by claiming a vital victory to claim 4th spot with Andrew in 5th spot.

To maximise games, additional fixtures were held for positional placings which saw Andrew and his son Declan draw to share the 9th place.

Paul continued his good form by defeating Alex to capture a very good 7th place.

Newbie Liam Chapman, was the surprise package of the day by defeating a very good Carl to claim a superb 5th position.

The semi finals saw Clifford and Jason secure the final spots by eliminating both Gary and Fernando in very tight semi-final encounters. 

The Final was a very tight affair which was decided by a defensive slip by Jason to allow Clifford to score the winner half way through the game.

Special mention must go to Mrs Subbuteo, Nita (Clifford's missus) for the delicious spread laid down to all the participants. 

All in all, a very successful return to the tables after an enforced lockdown. For obvious reasons, the games were strewn with basic mistakes as expected. 

This tournament was the first in a series of four to celebrate the relaxing of Lockdown rules. 

Further information will be advised for the next tournament which should be flicking off in the next few weeks. 

(Report by Clifford Graaff)

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