Richard Addison 1st - Season   Daniel Cummings 1st & 2nd - Season   Statan Clarke 1st - Season

09 DEC 2009 - King's Sports Centre, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Blood sports involving the baiting of animals has occurred since antiquity, most famously at the Coliseum in Rome during the reign of the Roman Empire and more specifically, dog fighting, has for centuries been sanctioned by aristocracy, embraced by medieval gentry and promoted by colonial and Victorian miscreants. In modern times, many individuals continue to deny the existence or scope of dog fighting, or they maintain that it is merely an isolated animal welfare issue. However, it is increasingly difficult to defend such an archaic notion in the face of overwhelming legal and empirical evidence to the contrary.

Whilst more higher profiles crimes garner the attention of the media here in Cayman, it is a sad reality that this vicious activity has made it's way to our shores. So it came to be, on a dark, Wednesday night, the opening night of the Winter 2009/10 season of the King's Indoor League that two rivals were pitted rivals against each other; and as is often the case, it didn't seem like a fair fight. It was the youthful, feisty pack from John Doak Architecture against the older, experienced pack of the Old Boys.

Since it's inception, the controllers of the barbaric pastime of dog fighting have helped to modify the dogs and develop breed specialization that resulted in the basic anatomical forms of fighting dogs, which we see today. A full spectrum of these were on full display on Wednesday evening, and from a distance, it was feared the breeds of the Old Boys would be no match for the young, strong, and skilled members of JDA. However, as Mark Twain remarked, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog" and this would set the tone for what was to be an encounter with a flying start, a scrappy midsection, and a howling finish.

Substituting for Wayne Sives in goal, was Steve Henshaw, the Shetland Sheepdog. The Shetland is a docile but alert breed with a pleasant temperament. Often casually moseying about the field but ready to spring to action when called upon. They may not allow themselves to be touched by strangers and will display noisy persistent barking, as they tell others to leave them alone. This can lead to guarding, snapping and even biting. They often fall to floor with the slightest touch, looking to have their tummy tickled.

In defence is a trio of energetic canines, each with their own unique talents and traits. First up is Dominic Whitaker, the Labrador Retriever. Loving and affectionate they are extremely energetic dogs, enjoying long runs from the back. The Lab is delighted to work and play hard, which is often their downfall, making them prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders and own goals.

Joining the Lab at the back of the pack is Richie Addison, the Fox Terrier. Terriers are relatively dominant, very high energy dogs that can become stressed and frustrated without the proper type of play and without ball at their paws. Scrappy and impulsive in defence, the Terrier is ready to charge at all times, and does so frequently in an attempt to penetrate the opposing pack.

A compliment to the speed and exuberance of the Lab and Terrier, is Steve Roughead, the Pit Bull. The Pit Bull immediately strikes one as being a dog of power, passion, and undying willingness. When not in a fighting situation, the Pit Bull is a good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal but don't be fooled, the breed's tenacity and accompanying strength are unmatched in the canine world and its coat can turn to blue at the slightest provocation.

The next layer of the pack is a mix of pure-breed regal and undersized tenacity. First up is Steve Gaffing, the Shih-Tzu. Although one of the shortest dogs to run with the big boys, the size is not proportionate to ability; a small and bushy faced fighter, who is an alert, lively, little dog. Happy, hardy and packed with character, this diminutive warrior races around the field, often tussling with dogs bigger than his size. Unfortunately, Shih-Tzus are prone to slipped stifle and spinal disc disease caused by a long back and short legs. This Shih-Tzu is actually one of the original pair that was imported to England in the late 1930's, having been discovered by English soldiers in Japan during World War II.

Alongside his diminutive counterpart is Jess, the Afghan Hound. One of the most regal and aristocratic of all the canine breeds they are tall and slender with a long, narrow, refined head. These dogs are renowned for being Courageous, dignified, spirited, very sweet, loyal, affectionate and sensitive, with a low dominance level. They often tske on the identity of a grayhound, chasing things but not really knowing what to do with them if they catch them.

At the front of the pack, reside the attack dogs; the ones charged with heading the line against rival packs; generally big and powerful with a tendency to charge first and think second. A recent addition to the pack, Statan Clarke, the Great Dane, is one of the largest member of the Old Boys pack. A giant, powerful dog, they were known as the "Apollo of all dogs" and were admired in ancient times for their ability to bring down bear, wild boar, defenders and goalkeepers.

Assisting the Great Dane is Tim Ludford-Thomas, the Doberman. Although retired after years of tearing up the track, this Doberman commendably returned for one last battle, to help the pack in their time of need. The Doberman is a medium sized, squarely built dog with a compact muscular body and were first bred in the town of Apolda, in the German state of Thüringia around 1890, following the Franco-Prussian War by Karl Friedrich Louis Doberman. Determined, bold and assertive while working, they are very adaptable, highly skilled and versatile and used to charging into opposition packs, space and countries uninvited.

Finally, leading the forward line of the pack is Daniel Cummings, The Mastiff, a very large and powerful dog. With a long and distinguished pedigree, it was depicted terrorizing opposing keepers in Egyptian monuments as early as 3000 BC. The breed also fought alongside the British soldiers in 55 BC repelling the Roman advances. So impressed was Caesar that he brought a pack of Mastiffs to Rome where the dogs were put on display and forced to be in fights with human gladiators, lions, bull baiting, bear baiting and in dog to dog combat. Despite it's hulking appearance it isprone to eyelid problems, bad fouls and yellow cards. It is a good idea to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one large meal. Gains weight easily, so should not be over fed. Can be mistaken for the less aggressive Buddha Mastiff when happy.

An eclectic, but historically formidable pack, the OBs took the field with their shiny black coats glistening in the lights of the King's warehouse and the game started in the best possible way for the pack. The ball was won quickly and was played around to the back to the Fox Terrier, who played a wondrous ball to the Mastiff who was already bounding up the field. The Mastiff took the ball in stride and lashed it into the far right corner, before the clock had even hit the fist minute. A truly tail wagging start.

Play continued at this hectic pace and a great chance was created by the strong play and Teutonic efficiency of the Doberman who was eventually brought down by two of their pack. Up stepped the Fox Terrier to take the ensuing free kick and to bang the inside the wall and into the goal, doubling the lead inside 10 minutes.

A solid passage of play followed with Shih-Tzu and the Afghan Hound controlling the midfield, hounding the opposition by doing everything except chewing their shoes. The Pit Bull, although still not fully recovered from a previous battle injury, also starred in defence, supplementing the defensive efforts with strong challenges and sharp barks of wisdom. The OB pack continued to control the field against the obviously fitter rival pack, who mounted several assaults on the Shetland's goal, none of which penetrated and they maintained the two goal lead until halftime.

Unfortunately this advantage didn't hold for long after the restart. A long ball up the field escaped attentions of the over-energetic Lab and a member of their pack paw-poked the ball through the sheepdog's despairing flop. True to their character, the OB pack quickly rallied and responded within a minute via the Great Dane. Receiving a long ball along the board from the Shetland, the Great Dane took the ball in stride and flicked it up and over both himself and the mutt defending him, collected it on the other side, and promptly sent it soaring into the far top corner, to give the OBs what should have been a commanding 3-1 lead.

What transpired next, no one seems to know the reason for. Many canine experts have written lengthy texts on the behavioural traits of dogs and there inability to concentrate when excited. Maybe it was the Shetland who was distracted by someone throwing a stick nearby or the Labrador intrigued by the smell of a bitch in heat, but the pair somehow managed to ping-pong the ball between themselves several times before sending it into their own goal. In the distance, the Fox Terrier was seen to chuckle, glad not to be apart of such a debacle. The rival pack must have sensed a shift in the confidence of the OBs as they again went on the attack and were surprisingly level within a minute. A good passing move saw their striker unleash a shot that the Shetland had covered, only to have the Labrador's attempted block strike his paw, and move the ball to the wrong side of the Sheepdog. 3 - 3 with eight minutes to go. This was Game on.

A see-saw battle for control ensued, with both packs wrestling to gain supremacy but it would not be settled until the last 20 seconds of the game. A bounding run up the left side of the boards, a usual pastime of the Labrador, started the move. Drawing the attention of the defenders, he switched the play to the opposite side, where the Mastiff lay in wait, slobbering with anticipation. With time running out, the Mastiff controlled the pass from the Lab and dispatched the ball with extreme prejudice past the opposition for the winner.

The brawl was the over and the OBs emerged as top dogs on the evening. With the Great Dane, Pit Bull and Mastiff all still nursing injuries, the winter break is a welcome one, allowing the these and the other members of the pack to recover and return in the new year, ready to roam the arena once again.