The ATWL is a competitive woodsball league established in 2007 to give paintballers who prefer the woods a venue to showcase their talent. Teams receives 5 points for each minute they control one of three capture point spread around the field.
Strict Union Militia from Moncton, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia’s, Mersey Road Predators, took to the woodsball field to determine which province would have bragging rights as the best woodsballers in Eastern Canada for the next year.
From the opening horn of game one the defending champion Mersey Road Predators pick up where they left off, dominating the field and locking down the flag stations once captured. Strict Union shook off their early morning / not quite enough coffee yet malaise to push in on all flag stations. Despite Militia's best efforts Mersey Road Predators came out on top of Strict Union Militia 220 to 85.
In the final minute of game one Keegan Simard of the Strict Union made a valiant run to capture the center flag giving the Militia an extra 35 points. Those last minute points wouldn’t be enough to win game one, but would be a factor later in the day.
Game two the Militia were able to use a play from the Predators book and gobble up large chunks of the field from the break. The Militia found their stride in game two and held the Predators off the board decisively winning 170 to 0.
The total points after two games put the Militia in front of the Predators 255 to 220, giving The Militia choice of field end from which to start the final game. The run of Simard in game one, which at the time seems pointless, made the difference. Simard's 35 points gave Strict Union preferential field advantage in the championship game.
The final game of the 2014 season was exciting paintball match with ferocious fights, multiple flag station captures, and constant swings in momentum. The Militia, due to the field advantage, were able to capture two flag station early and begin amassing points immediately. The game was like a tennis match, each flag capture by the Predators was immediately countered by the Militia.
In the final five minutes of the final the Predators surged on all three fag stations simultaneously. The Mersey Road Predators did everything they could to retain their title, but in the end the Militia were held back the Predators on to win 225 to 70.
Chuck “Chucky” LeBlanc from Moncton N.B. talented speedball player from the CXBL was key part of the Militia win. “In speedball there are five guys over there when the horn goes.” said Chucky with a laugh, “After first horn today and I was nervous to move because in the woods paint can come from anywhere. I felt like I was a new player”.
“It didn’t take long to realize, paintball is paintball whether you are playing woodsball or speedball.” Chucky concluded “Shoot and move, have some fun with your friends, the ATWL is a great day of paintball and we can't wait to defend our title in 2015.”
The management and staff of the ATWL, along with the league sponsors Tippmann Sports, PBL Action Sports and Mersey Road Paintball would like to congratulate the Strict Union Militia on winning the 2014 Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League Championship.
