Magic: the Gathering Tournament 2005 Thursday June 23rd saw OGC’s second Magic Tournament, held At Impact Games in Liverpool. Taking Place in the Kamigawa Block, players received a Champions of Kamigawa Tournament Pack, a Betrayers booster and a Savio[u]rs booster. With half an hour to build a deck, the Tournament would first play host to several hours of single player games before an all-important multiplayer at the end. There had been much build up to the Tournament with Luke Greensmith confident of becoming Champion. Mike Brandon also looked to build on last years 2nd place, especially with the absence of the standing Magic Champion.    Singles Action Results Table Singles games Asita Bennett Brandon Gray  Greensmith Townley Monovie Asita X W W L L L Laura Bennett L X L W L L Mike Brandon L W X W W L Simon Gray W L L X W W Luke Greensmith W W L L X W Andy Townley W W W L L X W = Win, L = Loss. Wins highlighted in red indicate victories with no life conceded Multiplayer Action Results Table Multiplayer Game 1 – Simon Gray Kills – Asita, Brandon, Greensmith, Townley  2 – Laura Bennett Kills - Gray 3 – Monovie Asita 4 – Mike Brandon 5 – Andrew Townley 6 – Luke Greensmith Tournament Rankings 1 – Simon Gray 7 points    2 – Laura Bennett 6 points 3 – Monovie Asita 5 points 4 – Mike Brandon 5 points 5 – Andrew Townley 4 points 6 – Luke Greensmith 3 points Podium Simon (5th 2k4) became an unlikely champion. Despite losing to Mike Brandon in his opener, he impressed in the multiplayer game, destroying four of his opponents. Tournament newcomer Laura Bennett snatched second place after a disappointing display in the singles round. Monovie (4th 2k4) improved upon his previous years performance to leapfrog an irate Mike Brandon (²nd 2k4). Luke Greensmith also failed to achieve his aims, coming last behind Andrew Townley (6th 2k4). In order to decide who the GRAND champion of Magic is, Simon is too take on Mark Berkley in the near future….. OGC would like to thank Impact Games for their hosting of the Tournament and for prizes awarded. Prizes were awarded as follows; Simon Gray, Premium Lhurgoyff, Hikari, Twilight Guardian & Myojin of Cleansing Fire. Laura Bennett, Premium Elvish Champion, Okina, Temple of Grandfathers & Iname, Life Aspect. Monovie Asita, Premium Tok-Tok, Kuro, Pitlord & Night of Souls' Betrayal. Mike Brandon, Hisoka, Minamo Sensei & Tomoya the Revealer. Andrew Townley, Myojin of Infinite Rage & Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep. Luke Greensmith, Hall of the Bandit Lord & Uba Mask. Magic: the Gathering Grand Champion Match 2005 The absence of the 2004 Magic Champion from this years Tournament seemed to take something from the event. So, with Simon Gray having 2 months to bask in the glory that only a Champion understands it was time to see who is OGC’s true Magic Champion…by pitting the two against each other in a Grand Champion bout!  Rules Best of 5. Extended (any cards other than those on the Wizard’s restricted list). Minimum deck size 60, sideboard 15. Winner is declared grand Champion. Venue Hayfield, County Road, Ormskirk. Wednesday 31st August 2005. Mark Berkley (2k4) VS Simon Gray (2k5) Mark is using an mono-green Elf tribal deck whilst Simon has lumped for a black-green-white Spirit leaning deck. Before tge game Simon was in a deflated mood expecting nothing but defeat against the elves but Mark was just as pessimistic claming that he’d been “hyped up too much”. Round 1 The Elves waste no time in asserting their dominance despite being warded off by Ghostly Prison they are dealing 12 damage hits by turn 5. The game ends with elves on 42 Life having not conceded any damage. Mark 1 – 0 Simon Round 2 The Elves repeat their previous performance, this time however Ghostly Prison forces 1 mana burn damage, the only damage suffered for the elves in the entire game as they crush Simons deck again, this time ending on a’ meagre’ 35 Life.  Mark 2 – 0 Simon Round 3 Simon mana high power cards show up in force in this game, with 3 of Mirrodin’s powerful towers in play, however they are of little use against the determined elves who this time end the game on an untouched 20 Life. Mark 3 – 0 Simon Round 4 Simon’s dependency on high cost cards leaves him in a toying position with mark sitting back and watching his Elves legions grow. However Simon responds by mana burning himself, embarrassing but deemed the only way to avoid further humiliation. The Elves, still untouched so far end the game on 56 Life. Mark 4 – 0 Simon Round 5 It had to happen sooner or later, the Elves suffer a land clump and don’t get started until turn 5, time enough for Simon to apply enough pressure to force the Elves in a situation of no return, leaving them sending out single creatures to suicidaly block before enough damage is put through to give Simon a solitary victory and prevent a whitewash, no damage suffered too. Mark 4 – 1 Simon Winner -  Mark Berkley  Magic GRAND CHAMPION 2005 “…Whatever” Simon – “I acheieved my aim I won one” Luke Greensmith, still sour after Simon’s June victory was quick to comment “Simon will forever be remembered as the loser who lucked his way into the 2005 top spot”. Simon simply replied “What will you be remembered as then…”