Chris did a brilliant job coordinating the game turnarounds which happened amazingly quickly partly due to the field exits never being more than 25 meters away from the compound. More often than not a division two team was waiting on the side line for the division one team to come off. If something unforeseen happened, making a team unable to take the field in time, the other division simply went on first without any penalty points being incurred. This format is a great way to eliminate rushing, goggle fog and more importantly accidents. There was none of the usual "If you're not there you get penalised," said Chris. "We appreciated that players were there to play paintball and have a good time which is why we play the game!" This tournament was the first time the scene has been broken into pro/am divisions and its success proves that this is the way Australian tourney paintball must go.

The tournament was a great opportunity for less experienced teams to mix it with the top ranks and teams like SAS, The Buds from Queensland (who were ref's choice) and Cobra all playing some great paintball. The Ambassadors have boosted their game incredibly and with the combination of experienced players like Jeff Devjak and the youth of some of their newer players, they're set to be a force at future tournaments. It was also great to see the Brothers in Arms reform for this one. I caught up with the amateur division winners 'Darkside' Captain, Louie Saliba. after the tourney and his feeling on the events seemed to be universal. "Mad show, Manny did a fantastic job and I didn't see Chris or The Firm make a bad decision all day," said Louie. He went on to say that this tournament was as hard as any that they'd entered.

The winners of the pro-division, The Delegates, looked good all day. It looks like they are back in the form of old and will cause plenty of headaches for the new pro paintball division in 1996. Manny was over whelmed by all players attitude to the tourney. He made sure that all finalists went away with a trophy not just the Captain. "I'm in the sport for the long haul. If players get the rewards they deserve, be it cash, equipment or a trophy, they'll stay with the sport. I'm more concerned about the game than my field. That's why none of the trophies have Heartbreak Ridge on them. These players didn't compete in a Heartbreak Ridge tournament, they competed in an Australian tournament".

Many thanks to the sponsors; Mike Shaddick from Zap, Perentie Paintball, makers of the Badger, APGS, Paintball Connection and The Firm, who donated a case of paint to the "refs choice". Heartbreak Ridge would like to thank all the teams that attended. Pro teams: Top Hats Diamonds, Delegates Red, Magnum Good, HEAT Tiger, Top Hats Spades, Magnum Bad, Brothers in Arms, HEAT Speed, HEAT Advantage and the Top Hat Clubs. Amateur teams: Ambassadors Cal, Shockwave, Tomcats Red, Cobra, Darkside, Inner Sight, Ambassadors Mag, Bad Company, Tomcats Blue, SAS and The Buds.

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