Category archives: Lilongwe

In spite of the weather, the main game was very well contested and high quality, but ultimately Blantyre’s strength in depth saw them (well, us) through as the winners, regaining the Hippo of Victory.

Blantyre took an early lead and managed to maintain it throughout the game with great team play and considered use of substitutions and team make up. As the travelling team, Lilongwe didn’t have the same options available to them.

The game finished Blantyre 15, Lilongwe 12, with Lilongwe having gone into half time 8-4 down.

After the main game, we had mixed games with mixed teams drawing on players from both Blantyre and Lilongwe: a youth game and then Africa vs North America vs Europe.

The day finished with a prize giving and party, where, amongst other awards, Richard was awarded MVP for Lilongwe, and Chris for Blantyre.

Huge thanks to Chipiliro Wirima for the photos. If you’d like to get him to photograph your event WhatsApp +265 995 54 88 87.

This weekend Lilongwe Ultimate will make the trip south to play their old (and only) rivals, Blantyre Ultimate Frisbee. Never a particularly frequent fixture – and made even less so by COVID19 – the Malawi Ultimate Battle returns to Blantyre.

In Lilongwe in 2021 the home team were victorious despite a strong start by the visitors. Blantyre are hoping to regain the crown with their home advantage this time.

Alongside the main event will be a group of other games, including women’s, youth and Malawi vs the world.

Watch this space to find out how it all goes.

It had been my hope that we would be able to take a joint Lilongwe-Blantyre team to the All Africa Ultimate Club Championship that is happening this weekend in Johannesburg, but it just proved too expensive for most of our players. There will be Malawian representation at the event, however, as our players were invited to join the All Africa United team. So both Lilongwe and Blantyre are sending a player: Frank ‘Fula’ Makowa and Asher Jacobsberg (me), respectively.

Generous support has been given to ensure that we sent an actual Malawian, who also happens to be one of our best players. Thanks very much to all those who have contributed:

• Sam (Blantyre)
• Akeel (Lilongwe)
• Asher (Blantyre)
• Mina (Lilongwe)
• Michael (Blantyre)
• Sille (Lilongwe)
• Nick (Blantyre)
• Chris (Lilongwe)

Any further sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

As a cobbled together team I have no idea how All Africa United will compete against teams that play together week in week out, so we may come back broken men, but hopefully having also had a lot of fun.

Last month saw the 3rd Malawi Ultimate Battle, between the Lilongwe and Blantyre Ultimate teams.

It was a great weekend of frisbee, with the level of play all around improving each time we meet.

As well as the mixed game for the tile of Malawi Ultimate Champions – to be the holders of the prestigious Malawi Ultimate Hippo – we had three other competitive games.

Women’s game

These kicked off with Lilongwe Women vs Blantyre Women. I’m sorry to say that this was a bit of a whitewash, with the Lilongwe team really outplaying Blantyre. There was no lack of heart or effort from the Blantyre women, but as a club we need to do more to develop our women’s skills.

• MVP (Lilongwe): Emma
• MVP (Blanytre): Liana

Malawi vs the World

Our next game mixed up players from Blantyre and Lilongwe, but pitted Malawians against players from the rest of the world.

Fittingly, Malawi were victorious. Hopefully this bodes well for Malawi’s ability to compete on the international stage as Malawi Ultimate develops.

• MVP (Malawi): Andrew
• MVP (World): Momcillo

Under 20s

Our final warm up game was for our younger players, again the teams were mixed gender and mixed between Blantyre and Lilongwe.

There was fantastic play by all, with skill and commitment matching the, expected, youthful energy!

• MVP (winners): Momcillo
• MVP (losers): Chris

Championship game

The final game of the day, which strecthed into the night, was our mixed gender Lilongwe vs Blantyre game.

Lilongwe took the first point easily and Blantyre looked a bit shell-shocked. Blantyre confidence was boosted, however, when Zack Brady pulled off an amazing diving catch to grab the frisbee from Chris’ feet.

There was also great defensive play, with Mina blocking Blantyre from what looked like a certain score right on the goal line.

Despite the high stakes, and the game swinging back and forth, excellent Spirit was shown all round, notably by Ian, who took time to explain his thinking and came to amicable agreement over some contentious issues.

• MVP: Zack
• Spirit Champion: Emma

Final score: Blantyre 15 – 11 Lilongwe

This Saturday will be the third meeting between Malawi’s two biggest (only) ultimate teams. We’ll be competing for the chance to be crowned Malawi Ultimate Champions and win the MUC Hippo Trophy.

In both previous meetings the visiting team has been victorius, this time Blantyre Ultimate hope to break that form.

Before the main event there will be a picnic and various warm-up matches, and afterwards a party at Baobab Backpackers. All players and supporters are encouraged to come to the whole day.

Programme

Venue: Saint Andrew’s International High School, Nyambadwe

13.00   Picnic lunch – Blantyre players please bring a dish to share

14.00   Women’s game (20 minutes)

14.30   Malawi vs The World – mixed Blantyre and Lilongwe teams, Malawians vs citizens of elsewhere (20 minutes)

15.00   Under 20s – mixed younger players from Blantyre and Lilongwe (20 minutes)

15.30   Warm-up game awards

16.00   Headline game: Blantyre vs Lilongwe

18.30   Party at Boabab Backpackers, Sunnyside – including Headline game awards

Rules

Games will be self-refereed and played in the spirit of ultimate and good sportspersonship. If any dispute arises, we will defer to the WFDF rules: https://rules.wfdf.org/

Warm up games

Warm up games will be played on a 20 minute timer. The team with the most points at the end of 20 minutes wins.

Women’s game: if possible, this will be Blantyre vs Lilongwe, otherwise mixed teams.

Malawi vs The World: it’s up to each player to say where s/he is from.

Under 20s: we may change the upper age limit depending on who is able to play.

Headline game

Teams should do their best to have the same gender split. This will likely mean three women on the field for each team.

The headline game will be played to 15, with a margin of at least 2 goals. The hard cap will be 17. This means if one team reaches 15 before the other team reaches 14, they win. However, if the score is 14-14 then the game goes into overtime. To win in overtime a team needs to get a 2 goal lead or reach 17.

There will be a 10 minute half-time break when one team reaches 8 goals.

If neither team has won after 90 minutes (including the half-time break) the game will end; at this point the team with the highest score are the winners; if both teams have the same score the game is a draw.

The winners will take home the Malawi Ultimate Champions trophy. In the event of a draw it shall stay with the current holders.

Download: Programme and Rules