There is sometimes a fine line between victory and defeat, tonight was not not one of those nights. It should also be know that I'm no stranger to Esports disappointments. Rewind 11 months, the first Call of Duty Lions League team was getting ready for what would prove to be a very miserable season 1. We were outmatched and outclassed at every turn that would result in a winless season, it was very hard to stomach at the time.
Back in the present, the same team, albeit with a largely changed line up, currently sits top of CoD Division One. Those disappointments that we faced in our early development has laid the foundations and hunger to improve as a team and set the tone for competition. That's why I can have a bit of optimism after the 2-0 defeat that our League of Legends team suffered at the hands of the RAC tonight.
In a marked difference from almost a year ago, the LoL team was able to take the latest defeat (a run of three) in good humour and this is a testament to the personalities within the group. Only two weeks ago, the team forfeited the second match against the Army Medical Services as it became clear it was a non-contest. On this occasion however, no-one gave up but at the same time, expectations were tempered.
Appreciating the limitations of the team both in experience and ability has made the process fun to a certain extent, but the hunger to improve remains. I know for one, that seeking out better players will see me eventually drop down the pecking order until I'm trying to make a C team to call my home, but that's the price you pay for being somewhat of a bot. It's a lot in life I've come to accept now.
You learn a lot more about a team's character in defeat than you ever will do in success, that's why I believe we have the beginnings of a solid LoL side that will develop and improve during the course of this year. Whilst LoL is a very different game to first-person shooters, continued practice and an influx of players will help to increase competition for places and drive the team forward.
I would encourage anyone with experience in the game, even limited experience, to make themselves known in the discord and come and play some games. If you know anyone not in the discord group, point them our way as there are certainly places up for grabs amongst a fantastic group of people.
We've been here before, we know the taste of heavy defeat. We also know how to rise from the ashes of those defeats and become better and more able team. Chin up ladies and gentlemen, in this particular case, the only way is up!
GGs