2024 Sydney Open

Sunday, August 4, 2024, 10AM
FitDistrict Studio, Bella Vista

A field of 10 players made their way to FitDistrict Gym in Bella Vista for the 2024 edition of the Sydney Open. Ranging from players with 50 years experience to those who had only previously played a handful of games, the field was diverse and enthusiastic. Unlike our usual monthly WASPA tournaments, this one featured full 30 minute games, so the 4 round Swiss System followed by a play-off round was a relative marathon compared to what we are normally accustomed. 

Being in Sydney for a couple of weeks meant that Melbourne TFC's Benji was along for the ride. His most notable achievement of the day was not to make a single inappropriately loud goal celebration across the entire 5 hours of play. He did have the chance, with a great set of results across the day. Winning 3 of his 4 tournament games, he then held on to a 2-2 draw in the play-off over Steve to take the title via their head-to-head record.

Steve had started the day well with a tight 1-0 victory over Adrian and only a loss to Benji in the tournament games blotted his record (a goal busting 4-2 loss no less!) and he came close to turning the tables in the 1st place play-off after Benji handed Steve a stranded traveling 'keeper foot in the door.

The two Adrians had a decent afternoon - their contrasting results against Benji being the differentiating factor. While Benji got on a roll against Adrian G, inflicting a fair bit of damage, he was unable to get past Adrian E's defense (aside from one monster long-distance shot which rocketed into the top corner, following which Benji confessed to a double touch on the shooting figure, but wanted to have a go anyway) and the 0-0 result was enough to keep Adrian E ahead on the table. Their 3rd/4th play-off game was typically tight but with Adrian E finding a solitary goal to split them.

The final tournament table actually had 4 other players joining Adrian G on 6 points, with Power Rankings™ used to differentiate them. Franck had the best results of this bunch, with his power ranking placing him in 5th, just ahead of Louie. The two backed up from their 4th round clash to play out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the play-off, enough to keep Franck ahead. Jonny and Ray had also had a couple of wins and a couple of losses in the tournament matches, leaving them on exactly equal points and power rankings. Their play-off match, then, went exactly to form - a 0-0 deadlock.

The final two players were the least experienced of the group. Melvin is an 1980s veteran of the old style game which he played as a youngster in Singapore, but this is just his second ever tournament since then. Chris, meanwhile, played the game for the first time ever late last year at our introductory newcomers tournament when FitDistrict became our newest venue. He was, therefore, really thrown in the deep end today, but held his head high. Learning much along the way, we (hopefully) haven't scared him off coming back for more! Melvin, meanwhile, showed that he is quickly picking up the modern version of the game with some tight results against the more experienced players

5 x full 30 minute games in a row is a reasonably draining experience, but all the players loved it. Of course, the friendliness and banter of the whole day lifts the experience even further and the day's competitors gave this in abundance, making a brilliant day out for all. Congratulations to Benji on his win and to all for their efforts.