Pinto tops the averages

Click here for the stats in full!

So well done to Jon for winning the Team Picker Cup... great to see that the shirt is nice fit!

As you will know I have been keeping a record of games won and lost by each player participating in the TPC. For the full list click the link above - it makes for interesting reading!

I'm pleased to say our champ is near the top - but ISN'T top! That honour goes to Mike with an impressive 5 wins out of 6.  Well done to him! Please note that players who have less than 5 games are exempt!

All hail King Jon!

The prize on offer!

Jon Ridout (14) V (9) Billy Collins

Jon Ridout is the first ever Team Picker Cup champion after defeating Billy Collins in an absorbing final game at Sophia Gardens.

Emerging as the competition's dark horse, it was not the late show that we have come to expect from Ridout  but rather a confident performance from start to finish which won him the gold. Pundits were left stunned as Collins struggled to perform despite being the player with the more convincing results throughout the campaign.

As the players lined up for the last time in this fascinating tournament, they took a glance of the prized T-shirt which awaited the victor before being picked for the final match. Although by this time the falling rain had relented and the skies were clear, the pitch itself didn't not have enough time to fully recover. Therefore with that familiar, greasy and uneasy surface we have the weather to thank for affecting the quality of the entertainment on show. With periods of scrappy exchanges, overhit passes and slippery conditions, this match would have to be won in ugly fashion.

Our Team Picker Cup Final shirt and sponsor.. other energy drinks are available!

The tournament's leading player in these conditions, Mike Pinto Castro, was evidently not 100% and started the game in defence for Team Ridout. It wasn't long until he started to adopt a sweeper role however and teamed up with Chris Phillips and Stuart Parsons to form an effective attack partnership. Plus with the captain Ridout sitting up top too, their ability to hit on the counter was deadly throughout the whole game. Team Billy had a lot to thank their captain for he lived up to his billing as TTFE's Number 1 shot-stopper. Collins arguably opted for a stronger defence, but he had the players who can grab the goals that matter; Gareth Jenkins was settling well into his 'John Hartson' role, whilst James Pugh and Paul Preece provided the backup and pace behind him the sole attacker. When it came to outfoxing each other, both sides' formations looked almost identical. Team Ridout however took the lead at half time - a first for him in this tournament.

The second half forced Captain Billy to make a decision on whether a change was needed to win the game. Does he come out of goal to inject some life into his attack? Or does he continue with the plan and hold the fort? He opted to lead the attack and put pressure on Team Ridout. The move seemed to work at first with waves upon waves of pressure with the defence to deal with. However it felt like their luck had run out as they hit the post at least three times, whilst Team Ridout started to counter attack delivering body blows of goals to widen the gap. There was no need for the last goal winner rule here as Ridout had this sewn up well before the final whistle.

Jon Ridout - Team Picker Cup champion 2012!

In victory Ridout was gracious and thanked his opponent for the game. He stated: "Well I just say a massive thanks to all the boys on my team from last night! It was fantastic to win but I have to say commiserations to Billy and his team. The made the final a great spectacle for the fans! If conditions had been better I'm sure the game might have been tighter."

He also added that he would be happy to defend his title if TTFE decide to put the tournament on again.
Ridout stated, "I for one would love to do the tournament again but we will wait on the sponsorship to see if it goes ahead! I hope we can secure the deal we want me make it happen." At the moment the future of the Team Picker Cup is uncertain down to funding but organisers will be meeting to discuss the success of this year's competition.

Billy on the other hand was upbeat, but obviously disappointed in defeat. In searching for reasons for the final defeat despite looking string favourite to win the shirt he alluded to the key decision he made at half time. "I perhaps should have stayed in goal", stated Billy. "Maybe if I did it would have kept the stability of the first half."

Well done to Jon Ridout - Team Picker Cup champion 2012!

Billy's 7th man... Ben Dover!

Team Billy (L-R Pugh, Paul, Gaji, Billy, Callum, Greg)

Team Ridout (L-R Luco, Stu, Joe, Jon, Mike, Chris)

Gigg beats G and the rain to grab third place

Callum Gigg (12) V (10) Gareth O'Neill

Callum Gigg came back from almost certain defeat to overcome Gareth O'Neill in the third place playoff of the Team Picker Cup. 

Often branded the game that no-one cares to win, the defeated semi-finalists did not let their exits from the competition soften their desire to win third place in the inaugural TTFE Team Picker Cup. Next week's final between Jon Ridout and Billy Collins would have to put aside for now as these competitors were not ready to leave the stage.

In truth, the game was not a spectacle worthy of a final but offered plenty of goals for the neutral spectator. It has to be said though as the awful weather conditions, varying from light drizzle to heavy downpour did not heklp matters. The to-ing and fro-ing of the rain disrupted any form of rhythm or momentum in the game, forcing errors and changing gameplans accordingly. As one wise man at TTFE once decreed, this type of match would be won by the side which played the pitch, not the opposing team. Foolish be the side that played their football long and high and fortune to favour whose who embark on brave, darting runs. Or indeed the side that had maritime maestro Michael Pinto Castro.

Like a duck to water, Mike revelled in the rain and caused havoc for Team Callum's defence. With Stuart Parsons in support and the heroics of keeper Billy Collins, they looked comfortable by maintaining lead of 8-5 at half time. But Team Callum also had a gambit of their own - Gareth Jenkins. For weeks he has steadily improved, in particular at the sole man attack role which he has begun to call his own. Where he was known for pace in the past, his elegant touch which he has always been blessed with will now be his TTFE trademark. By forming an effective partnership with Chris Phillips they kept the game within reach for their team.

In the second half with the weather worsening the game became less like aquatic chess but rather a comedy of errors. With each over hit pass or heavy touch on the ball, the struggle hold onto the ball became more of an issue than finding the net.  The conditions were ripe for pinball scrambles in the box and long shots - two of the goalkeeper's great fears in the rain.

However the game would find a real turning point with 10 minutes to go. Gareth must have had devastating deja vu which would change turn the game on its head. Just like in his semi final against Jon Ridout, his side suffered from an injury - but this time it was goalkeeper Billy Collins not himself. Team G was forced to play with a man down as he stood on the sidelines, which gave the advantage to Team Callum to hunt for goals. Collins eventually came back into play, but it was too late - Callum had grabbed the lead for the first and most important time to win the tie.

Gareth will be disappointed to lose yet another tie in similar circumstances after a blistering start in the Team Picker Cup. It may also be the case that he has played his last game at TTFE for the foreseeable future so we wish him well. Callum on the other hand, clearly feeling that his team pick had paid off in the end, looked to the sky and thanked the heavens whilst claiming "the weather has helped us".

Team 'G Unit' (L-R Tom, Billy, Mike, Paul, G, Stu)

Team Callum (L-R Pugh, Chris, Callum, Joe, Gaji, Greg)