The Crustacean Cup is over for another year but the memories, the (Blood Rock Lobster) madness and the taste of delicious tacos will surely stick around.

Here’s the illustrated guide of how it went down:

Game 1: The Blood Rock Lobsters V The Able Seamen

The Blood Rock Lobsters announced themselves with a confident display of synchronised pinching along centre pinch. The Able Seamen refuted the pysch-out, controlling the ball and the majority of the game while occasionally fending off a lively and sometimes haphazard attack from the Blood Rock Lobsters. A controversial uncalled handball momentarily stopped the Seamen’s defence and the Blood Rock Lobsters seized the opportunity to put the ball in the net. Despite many desperate attempts, the Able Seamen failed to capitalise on their opportunities and went out in the first round. Fortunate in some ways, as many of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra players had a rehearsal to get to… They’ll be back next year for BLOOD!

Props to: WAYJO’s athleticism and tenacity; Laura and Jess for ably repping for the ladies; TBRL’s synchronised pysch-outs and flair-filled uniforms.

[Show as slideshow]

123►

Game 2: Mictacea V Crabs FC

After a surprise early exit last year, Mictacea were back with a vengeance (and the tiniest shorts on field, courtesy of Nick O’Dell). They had the upper hand, with captain John Lekias scoring early and precisely in the first half. Looking overwhelmed and slightly befuddled, two-time victors Crabs FC regrouped at half time with a fiery pep talk from coach Dan Little and the newly injured Craig Hollywood. Supported by much yelling from the sidelines, Crabs equalised with a majestic and dare I say fluky header from Jamie Sher. With neither team budging in the final half, the match went to penalties with Crabs FC prevailing thanks to the tight work of keeper Sam Scherr.

Props to: Mictacea’s ball control, strong defence and long lanky limbs; Craig’s persistent and spirited coaching from the sidelines.

[Show as slideshow]

12►

The Final: Blood Rock Lobsters V Crabs FC

The Lobsters continued with the intimidatory tactics, staging an epic pinch-off haka-esque dance at the beginning of the final. Although the Crabs called for their catch cry of ‘pinch the sky’ to be patented, they weren’t faltering in the face of bigger claws. They set a dogged pace for the rest of the match, navigating the flailing feet and bodies of the Lobsters. Their persistence was rewarded when captain Kris Dimitroff’s epic left boot delivered the victory goal, heartbreakingly fumbled by the BRL goalie who had delivered an impressive performance in earlier plays. Crabs held on despite the best efforts of Lobster star Ben to equalise, maintaining their title of Crustacean Cup champions for the third year in a row.

Props to: Lobsters’ spirited and entertaining distraction tactics; Jamie’s amazing cannonball-in-face kick move; soccer and music, for uniting young and old on the battlepitch!

[Show as slideshow]

12►

Amidst all this kicking of ball(s), folks were treated to some amazing cheerleading from NRG (good luck in the state championship guys!) and some excellent sets from Craig McElhinney, Ermine Coat, The Shakeys, smRts and Astral Travel. Thank you to all for coming along and sharing your skills (and in Pex’s case, poetry) with us all.

[Show as slideshow]

Thanks must also be extended to:

• Jessee La Cucaracha for feeding everyone the aforementioned delicious tacos
• The guys from CCA Productions and Mitey Staging for swift set up and pack down
• RTRFM! Peter Barr and guest Bob Gordon splendidly commentated the final match and Stan and Hannah made the live broadcast run like clockwork. You can listen to the restream of all the action here.
• Kevin the Crab from Keep Australia Beautiful for hooking us up with bins
• Photographer Sheridan Coleman
• Film maker Iris Struame

Finally, how amazing did the pitch look? Allsports Linemarking marked the pitch but the real magic was courtesy of Jake and the team from Pallet Media who took a break from painting  on Subi Oval and the WACA to brand the ground with team logos.

Here are some pics that didn’t fit elsewhere, plus an intimate look at each team of musicians (sorry Able Seamen, looks like the photographer had a crush on the Blood Rock Lobsters! Next year…)

[Show as slideshow]

[Show as slideshow]

[Show as slideshow]

[Show as slideshow]

Congratulations Crabs United FC, three time champions of Foodchain’s Crustacean Cup!

[Show as slideshow]

12►

Featuring sets from:
Astral Travel
smRts
The Shakeys
Ermine Coat
Craig McElhinney

The Crustacean Cup local band soccer tournament returns to Russell Square exactly fourteen months after Adam James (Emperors) smashed a blinder to give Crabs FC their second title.

The free event, presented on the first weekend of the WAMi Festival, combines the fun of the world game with the sometimes laughable physical capabilities of local musicians.

After an unlucky early exit in 2011, Mictacea (captained by David Egan from Badminton Bandit) are back to take on Crabs FC (captained by Kris Dimitroff from the Russian Winters) and The Blood Rock Lobsters (captained by Jon Russo from the Chainsaw Hookers). They will be joined by a new team made up of jazz musicians! The Able Seamen (captained by Mace Francis) join the fray to battle through a round robin tournament on a 7-a-side soccer pitch.

Teams are made up of local musicians from bands like Split Seconds, Sugar Army, Red Jezebel, Russian Winters, Cal Peck, Will Stoker and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, all competing to win the title and impress commentator Peter Barr.

In a Crustacean Cup first, the talented NRG Cheerleaders will bring it on with energetic half time performances.

So bring along a picnic, try the excellent La Cucaracha tacos or Gift of Taste Polish donuts and enjoy the sight of panting musicians playing the world game!

Live music is on the hour, knock-out games kick-off at 1:30pm and 2:30pm, while the final starts at 3.30pm.

Tune into RTRFM from 3-5pm to hear sets from smRts and Astral Travel plus quality commentary of the final match.