Timely Catapult capture shocks Magpies

Caerphilly Catapults - 240* vs Montrose Magpies - 200

	Magpies	Catapults
Keeper	Wintringham	Carrington
Chasers	Keitch (C)	Gwenhwyfar
	MacLean	Lympsham
	McTavish	Lafarge
Beaters	Moriattis	Lofthouse (C)
	Ollerton	Aderonis
Seeker	Abberley	Bryson

A few weeks ago, even entertaining the notion that a Magpies-Catapults match could be genuinely competitive would be laughable. The Magpies were unstoppable for the most of the season, undefeated at the head of the ladder until the final two rounds.

The Catapults have been impressive, but they are young and building team, a clear step below what could be thought of as the ‘big six’. Based on the promise of this year, premiership glory can come within a few short years, but surely not yet in 2012.

However on the evidence of the final two rounds, the Magpies may just be sensationally collapsing. The early encounter between these two teams this season was won by the Magpies 200-40 within half an hour, providing no semblance of predictive form other than a reminder that snitches can be caught earlier, surely no comfort to the antsy and paranoid Magpies.

But thoughts of the Magpies being dead and burired are dangerous to entertain as both Montrose’s season-ending losses were to high level opposition in the Wasps and Harpies. Writing them off could just be spur needed to kick Montrose back to the top of their game and ultimately on to this year’s title.

All things considered, the Magpies most certainly entered this match as heavy favourites. Just to reinforce that the ultimate confidence in their 2012 campaign was still there, Magpies manager Amedeus Pagley did not react unduly to the twin lead-up losses, retaining his ensconsed line-up. Although Catapults manager Alwyn Arianrhod likewise saw no reason for change.

As had happened when these two teams met in Round 6, the Catapults surprised off the blocks, with Crisiant Lafarge energetically leading them to an early narrow lead.

Finding themselves 50-30 down after twenty minutes in the wake of their recent form and luck must have been terrifying for Magpies fans, but their boys with the Quaffle got them out of jail for now. Captain Royden Keitch, who had looked particularly lethargic in recent weeks, led the way as Montrose easily overtook their inexperienced opponents and began to draw a way.

But the utter ruthlessness that had characterized Montrose’s early season dominance was not quite there. The skills of the Magpie Chasers were brilliant as ever, but their physical supremacy, as well as the devastating in-your-face presence of Beaters Mulciber Moriattis and Zachariah Ollerton, still looked to be a little missing. There was a feeling of uncertainty bred by the recent defeats.

The Montrose Magpies are an ultra-high quality Quidditch team who are clearly putting the disappointment of losing the minor-premiership behind them. This performance saw only slight and temporary teething problems. But at this stage of the season, there is not the time or leeway for even such minor weaknesses. The slow start and lack of ruthlessness combined to see Caerphilly still within 150 at the two-hour mark.

This was the difference on the day.

In a shocking and thrilling conclusion, Brynmor Bryson was able to narrowly avoid  an Ollerton Bludger which spiralled into Alison Abberley’s path, feeing Bryson to catch the snitch and the Catapults an astonishing upset win.

For the Magpies, it is now three losses straight and very much panic stations.

But at least they remain alive. Spare a thought for the reigning champion Tutshill Tornados who now know, from the discomfort of their living rooms, that their title defence is over.


Caerphilly Catapults - 240: Lafarge 6, Gwenhwyfar 2, Lympsham 1, Bryson Capture
Montrose Magpies - 200: MacLean 8, Keitch 7, McTavish 5


PLAYER OF THE MATCH: ROYDEN KEITCH (MAGPIES)