Another Great Day Full of Paint

Last Saturday, the teams pretty much sorted out along the lines of age vs. speed.
Not surprisingly, the older, wiser, and much slower Blue team only took the first two games.(although it could be argued that game #1 was a draw) Then, once lactic acid fermentation set in on the geriatrics, the Pink team carried the rest of the day.
Here's how it broke down....

Game #1: Blue began a push to the east and two tape runners to the west. The opening skirmish was dominated by Blue with a couple quick eliminations from the flank. Pink, however, slowed them down with some good defense at the flag station. Eliminations were traded until two Blue attackers (JB & HVS) faced a known Pink defender (DB) and an unknown sniper (Young AR). The Blue attackers re-grouped, eliminating DB, and making a push for the flag. Upon taking the flag, JB & HVS headed back toward their own flag station and their own two remaining defenders.
Using neat move, AR sniped HVS and, motioning for him to remain silent, set out in pursuit of the quickly retreating JB. In a sceen hauntingly familiar from last year, AR welted up JB's back, thus recapturing Pink's flag and saving the team from a decisive defeat.
The game ended minutes later as time expired with Blue having two remaining players to Pink's one. A technical victory for Blue, but a moral victory for Pink.

Game #2: Switch sides and go again. Blue repeated it's early game one success by gaining an advantage during the opening firefight. This time, however, Blue pressed that advantage by pulling their two defenders (OLD AR and DM). With most of the conflict up the West side, AR & DM made a flanking tape run up the East. Encountering no Pink players, they were able to maneuver around and behind the Pink flag defenders. Despite a valiant effort, Pink's DD & GR, were eliminated by the combined front and rear assault. Blue captured the Pink flag and moments later saw victory as the final Pink player reported to camp as eliminated.

Game 3: Pink was not to be denied. Using a combination of speed (Provided by the young guys) and strategy (Provided by DB) they made short work of Blue in a Center Flag game. Sprinting for the flag at the opening, they also quickly out-flanked Blue in the middle of the field. During the carnage that followed, Blue was painfully schooled in the concept that, in Paintball, position & teamwork are everything. Fast, Decisive Victory for Pink.

Game #4: The teams moved down the trail to the Ridge theater of operations. The Scenario involved Blue defending the ridge, upon which sat "The Target" (a lone pine tree). Pink had 15 minutes to make physical contact with the tree, thus eliminating the Target. Blue attempted to hold a lower ridge, setting up a two tier line of defense. Pink, however, found shooting lanes from a nearby stand of trees, and either eliminated or drove back the Blue defenders until they overwhelmed the ridge, taking the target with plenty of time to spare. Victory: Pink

Game #5: Switch Sides, Go again. Pink, recognizing the weakness in Blue's previous defense, chose to defend the target by advancing on the south flank, through the trees, and eliminating each of the Blue attackers, assuring the Target's safety. Any opportunity by Blue to exploit Pink's bold strategy through a full-blown frontal assault was missed by C. Havoc and Cpl. Point B. Too little, too late. Court Martials are expected. Another Victory for Pink.

The following two games of "Gettysburg" were too painful to mention, other than to note that certain players discovered the importance of proper gloves, etc. (My knuckles are still swollen.) I really don't understand WHY we play that game. ("Whoa...that hurt...Let's play AGAIN!")

While C. Havoc and others limped home, tired but happy, about seven players stayed for some final pick-up action. It is our understanding that the final games were great and that EK is a warrior.

Next Game: Saturday, June 11, 8 am, Hwy 5 Location