The Last Resort hosted their debut tournament this week, seeing 8Sins take the cake as they won the £500 top prize.
In a winner-takes-all style format, TLR set out a Pre-Season Invitational that included the top four teams in the UK scene under an organisation. CTRL-ALT-DEFEAT, Belfast Storm, 8Sins and TLR themselves all battled it out in a single elimination format to see who is looking the sharpest heading into the next season of UKIC and ESEA.
This Pre-Season Invitational was exciting to watch as a UKCS fan, as three of the four teams had made significant roster changes since the last season. Sitting down and watching what these new rosters have to offer can be a good litmus test for what we can expect for the future, with all four teams looking to break into the upper reaches of ESEA and challenge for the UKIC Division 1 title.
Opening Games
The tournament setup was two BO1 Semi Finals, and the winner of the opening games played in a BO3 for £500.
The teams were seeded by TLR Esports and were based on reputation and recent form:
The opening game between 8Sins and CTRL ALT DEFEAT was a fiery one. CAD came out the gates swinging taking an early 8-3 lead on CT side Anubis.
Showing why they are one of the best teams in the UK scene, 8Sins start an awe-inspiring comeback propelled by Michael “Prime” John Fury nailing four on the second pistol round. After a near-flawless CT side, 8Sins completed the comeback 13-11 and booked the first spot in the Grand Finals.
CAD are currently on the hunt for an IGL to fill their roster since they removed Sorex. In the TLR Pre-Season Invitational they were using Ex-ANTARTICA player Fizan “Fizzy” Anjum. It is unclear if this is a permanent addition to the roster, and also unclear if he will be IGLing, as Fizzy has never captained a squad before. This was also the first time we saw CAD playing with their new coach, David “DAVEY” Stafford, formerly of Method and Splyce.
A rough finish for CAD as they had the game in the palm of their hands going into the second half, but this could turn out to be an exciting start for this new squad.
🔥@PrimeOPI's dualies are on fire in the @TheLastResort Pre-Season Invitational pic.twitter.com/SeLKYvkcge
— UKCSGO (@ukcsgo) April 7, 2025
The next semi-final was Belfast Storm versus The Last Resort.
Both teams have made substantial roster changes since last season. Belfast Storm added Seth “Xetherato” Jackson and Shane “Shane” McGlinchey while The Last Resort revamped their roster, bringing in Rhys “Rhys” Stumbles, Isaac “Isaac” Patto and Joseph “godkU” Fowkes.
After 50 minutes of tech issues for both sides, the second Semi Final finally got underway.
This game saw an electric start from TLR as they went 5-2 up. But after this first wind, Belfast Storm pulled ahead, winning nine rounds in a row. The Last Resort tried to claw it back in the dying embers of the game, winning back-to-back clutches. But ultimately, this effort was in vain as Belfast Storm saw out the game 13-8.
This then set up a Grand Finals game between 8Sins and Belfast Storm.
.@Belfaststorm defeat @TheLastResort 13-8 in the TLR Pre-Season Invitational
Belfast Storm will now face @8SinsEsports in the Grand Finals for £500 pic.twitter.com/He6jbN7GKX
— UKCSGO (@ukcsgo) April 7, 2025
The Grand Finals
8Sins come into the TLR Pre-Season Invitational as the favourites ahead of their UKIC Season 5 Division 1 Grand Finals this weekend. But would this new Belfast Storm roster give them a run for their money?
Unfortunately, map one couldn’t have been more one-sided.
The first map was Belfast Storm’s map pick of Train, but you’d have been forgiven for assuming the opposite. Even though 8Sins were using James “bevve” Slinn as a standin instead of Andrew “Wolfie” Allan this didn’t seem to matter. In a dominant showing, 8Sins trampled their opponents 13-3, led by a strong performance from AWPer William “wfn” Maskrey who dropped a 4.4 K/D and 125 ADR.
Even though it was a bit more contentious in the second map, 8Sins always maintained the lead on Nuke. It did get close in the second half as Belfast Storm resurged after winning the second pistol round. But even though it was a one-round game, 8Sins still never let their foot off the gas. wfn continued his star-studded performance as 8Sins won Nuke 13-8, resulting in them winning the whole tournament.
This means 8Sins will be taking home £500. UKCSGO understands this got paid out the same night the tournament ended.
Belfast Storm showed that they are still a strong team against TLR, but against 8Sins they were outclassed, proving there is still work to do with their two new signings.
.@8SinsEsports win the @TheLastResort Pre-Season Invitational – walking away with £500 🎉 pic.twitter.com/nxb4O7Cr1k
— UKCSGO (@ukcsgo) April 7, 2025
With the UKIC Season 5 Division 1 Finals right around the corner, 8Sins are playing like they are set up to dethrone ALASKA. After winning the last two UKIC Finals and the last three EPIC.LANs, ALASKA haven’t had any contention as the best team in the UK scene. But with multiple of their players looking to pastures new in recent days, this could pave the way for a contender to come through and take their throne.
8Sins has been the closest team when challenging them as seen at EPIC.LAN 44. And now showing they are continuing their upwards trajectory in the TLR Pre-Season Invitational, could 8Sins be the first team other than ALASKA to win a domestic LAN for the first time in a year?
Disclaimer: The author of this article is currently coaching Belfast Storm who competed in the TLR Pre-Season Invitational.
