Mustang Cup:
Champions Bracket Q-Final results are in.....almost

Article by Mark "FarouqDubz" Wheal

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If you'd have asked me at the beginning of this competition about which teams would reach the champions knockout, I probably would have picked 7 out of the 8 teams who qualified. The one surprise for me was the Gunners failing to overcome the RLC-B team in Group A, the Gunners have always been competitive in Lions League. Its a testament to the strength in depth of the RLC who have had some classy results during the course of the competition thus far for both the A's and the B's. An argument for Legion Games could also be made in group D, the swing in their group came as a result of a dominant display from the Infantry Esports A team over them in game week 4.

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Going into the Quarter-Finals, it was a mixed bag for the RLC as their A team opened the week by seeing off our own REME B team by clinching the first 3 games unopposed. It was a case of what may have been for the REME as they went down on Hardpoint 250-212 in the first map of the night. Having won the knife fight that sets the majority host, RLC would get their HP map choice on Garrison to open the series. The RLC got their rotations spot on in this map, a crucial 3 piece at P5 from iJ0rd4n opened up enough of a gap for the RLC to see out the game. To be fair, the REME side pushed them all the way to the finish but couldn't turn the tide in the closing stages. SnD on Miami was up next as the RLC ran out 6-1 winners. In spite of both teams beginning with a hold on defence, the RLC never seemed to be under too much pressure. This time it would be TheRealSlimShady who played some crucial positions around the mid-ground to finish 9-2 personally and see out the map with the final elimination. A 3-0 result on the RLC's control pick of Raid would see out the series as the REME fought desperately throughout but spurned a decisive chance on round 2 going down to lives in spite of a positive start.

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The night after, the RLC-B's would take on the RAF Reapers. Having not seen the game personally, I cannot go into any great detail on the running order and the outcome. What is clear though is that the Reapers are an extremely talented side. It will always be an uphill task regardless of who attempts to dethrone them as the defacto leaders of British Military CoD esports scene. However, to be the best, you have to beat the best. The Reapers are scheduled to take on the winners of the Sappers and the REME-A team which was delayed until next week due to player availability. When it does take place, I would like to think we will see an extremely close game. Each side has their big players in the roster, Gibbo comes to mind, and when the Sappers are in their grove, their performances and teamwork can be seamless. The REME side however is stacked with slayers, ensuring that RY can play the hill effectively may be the deciding factor in the outcome of this series when it eventually takes place.

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The only match up not discussed thus far is the Infantry vs The Royal Signal-A's. I did watch this one but will not loiter too long on it as it was an evening to forget for the Sigs. The tone was set on the opening game of Moscow HP (a Sigs pick btw) as the Infantry ran out winners by a wide margin. This Signals side could and should have done much better throughout as highlighted by their caster KingSloth. Captain Mitchell and and all their players will be disappointed in the outcome but it's fair to say that BO:CW has not been kind to them. With Vanguard set to revert to the MW engine from 2019, I would expect them to be more completive at the upper echelons of these sort of tournaments.

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But that's it (pending the result of the last QF), the stage is set for the the Semi's. RLC-A with GorMxn and Co facing off against NickNack's ever improving Infantry side will no doubt be a cracker (don't jinx it) as hopefully we should start to see the skill gap close somewhat. The RAF will be under pressure to maintain their perfect streak thus far of not losing a map. The question will then be if the REME or the Sappers can face up to the challenge and give us an upset that surely has to come at some point, right???

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Keep an eye on the socials and here on the website for the fixture dates one they are confimed.

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