Midlands Summer League 2009

Last night saw the second MSL event of 2009, hosted by the Leamington Lemmings in Royal Leamington Spa, the new home of MSL following its move over from Birmingham last year. Little sleepy Leamington with a population of just 45,000 seems to have become a hot-bed of disc action in recent years. In North Leamington there is Quarry Park Disc Golf Course , it's one of only a handful of dedicated disc golf courses in the UK. Run by ex-Warwick Bear, Del Robins, it's a great place to go and try out a new disc sport.

The relatively newly formed Ultimate team in Leamington, the Lemmings, have grown in numbers dramatically also. Following the demise of neighbouring Birmingham team UTB, the Lemmings played their first tournament at Glastonbury in 2007. Since then they've had loads of new members join their ranks, most of whom had never even played the sport before. Now the Lemmings have two practices a week, entered two teams into Mixed Tour, have a joint team in Women's tour with Mu, and two teams into Open Tour. They may not be challenging for a spot in A-Tour just yet, but they're one of the biggest clubs in the midlands, and are always welcoming to new players, particularly beginners.

Lemmings also entered two teams into last night's MSL event which also saw EMu and Flux attending. EMu are a mixed team composed predominantly of players from Open club EMO and Womens club Mu, they're currently practicing for Euros in September. Flux are a junior team based in Nuneaton coached by teacher Matt Beavan.

Summer League evenings are great events, they're fairly informal and relaxed and a great excuse to get out and play some ultimate with your friends and local neighbours. EMu were short on a few players, so a couple of Lemmings were drafted across to help them out. The weather was amazing and the evening a real success, topped off nicely with a pint in the beer garden of the local pub.

Finishing positions were: (1.) Flux, (2.) EMu, (3.) Lemmings, (4.) Lemurs.

The next MSL event is in two weeks time (Wednesday 8th July), Lemmings will be returning with 2 teams, EMu will continue their pre-Euros preparation, Flux are rumoured to be bringing two teams and Warwick Bears should be in attendance. It looks like it might be the biggest MSL to date. Other interested teams should email the TD (midlandssummerleague@gmail.com).

> This post was written whilst mostly listening to Michael Franti & Spearhead's "All Rebel Rockers".