The Derby Day Derby

For those of you not paying attention, the interminable spring sabbatical between The First and the 4th is excruciating for those of us with a perfectly good Subbuteo pitch, free time, and an intense in-home rivalry. Hence, we had a tournament and invited no one (see below). And we also thought it would be amusing to stage a derby match on the very day of the Kentucky Derby--complete with themed costumes and beverages. 

Expressing his disdain for convention through haberdashery (as usual), Der Tyrant dons a big floppy hat as he takes a big floppy lead against the dapper (as usual) HBT. (Note: HBT's intense focus here is something of an anomaly, as he appears to have forgotten that his beverage was positioned directly behind him and not somewhere on the pitch.)

We played with a one-match, single-elimination format, very much unlike the complex, bracketed tournament that are so de rigueur within the club. (Because that's how JC/NJ rolls.) Seizing on my complete lack of attention to the pitch (or rather, my inordinate focus on my mint julep), Der Tyrant scored early--my hand closer to my glass than my goalie. Finding me distracted yet again, Der Tyrant got himself a brace before halftime. Bow-tie straightened, I came out in the second ready to make things right. Although I managed to pull one back, Der Tyrant's stingy defense and an expiring clock denied a dramatic draw. We shook hands reluctantly (the rival still smoldering) and watched some horses run around a big oval in a little over than two minutes.

And thus the first Derby Day Derby was in the books. Due to a lack of foresight with my work schedule, we will be denied a "triple crown" of tournaments. However, that does not excuse anyone from feasting on something coated in Old Bay this Saturday in honor of the Preakness. "Crab cakes and Subbuteo: that's what Maryland does!"