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TWENTY FIVE years have passed after the first game of Ultimate Frisbee was played in South Africa, but the sport is definitely not getting old.

This was proved at the biggest tournament on the Ultimate Frisbee calendar, the South African National Championships, which was held over two days at Bergvliet High School.

Defending champions the Cape Disc Doctors were present to try and become the first team to ever defend the crown, but a strong entry from all over SA would make it extremely difficult.

There was a total of nine team competing this year and the tournament was sponsored by St Elmo's and Frisbee. All of the more experienced and stronger teams managed to avoid each other through the group stage, with the top three taking all the points in the allocated six games played. Cape based team Chilli topped the group, with Johannesburg's Ultitude second and the Cape Disc Doctors third. Long Donkeys from Pietermaritzburg secured fourth place ahead of the development team Khaya by points difference.

The first semi-final was between Chilli and Long Donkeys.

The game was tight as both teams marked tightly and points were hard to come by. Quick passing, hard running and smart movement was all seen as Chilli grabbed a close 8-6 victory.

The second semi-final saw Ultitude shock the defending champs as they landed spectacular passes and racked up the points. Ultitude became the first Johannesburg team to make the final since 2003 with a convincing 11-4 win.

Their celebrations were short-lived, though, as Chilli got things firing on all cylinders and had the visitors spinning as the scoreboard ticked over in the final.

Despite brief moments of greatness, Ultitude felt the heat as Chilli flew to an 11-5 victory to be crowned the new South African Ultimate Champions.

"It's the biggest Ultimate tournament in Africa and it is wonderful to end up on the winning side. We played well all weekend and were determined not to slip up at the last hurdle," said winning captain and chairperson of South African Ultimate, Anthony Pascoe.

Veteran Chilli player, Ian Alexander (41), became the first player in the history of SA Ultimate to win the national title three times.

"I don't think I will ever get tired of winning this trophy. It is a huge honour as this is the most prestigious trophy on offer in South African Ultimate," he said.

Cape Town Ultimate chairperson, Brent Davison was highly impressed with the tournament again this year.

"First of all, the weather was great. It was great to see the Love Life team come together from all over SA and the level of play has improved a lot. It has made me very excited about sending two teams to the World Championships later this year," says Davison.

More information on the sport and how you could start playing can be found on www.capetownultimate.co.za.

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