Sam L’Homme’s triumph in the DAIsolate Cup was his first in an online FIFA competition – but it may not be his last.
The 24-year-old gamer, who became the winner of the Wales-wide tournament for clubs starved of real action, picked up the first prize on behalf of Trebanog FC.
More importantly, Sam helped raise £2,000 for charities supporting the NHS and local food banks during the coronavirus pandemic.
The first DAIsolate Cup campaign was a long battle for supremacy among Welsh clubs isolating in their own homes, dreamed up by organiser Jason Pocock of Ammanford AFC.
Trebanog – in the form of Sam, their regular goalkeeper – overcome Cwmamman United’s Ross Morgan in a tense and thrilling final, 5-4.
It was the first time Sam had entered a FIFA tournament, but as the great sporting lockdown continues it could be just the first.
“I’ve played FIFA since I was really young,” said Sam. “I have an older brother and I watched him and then I played.
“But this was the first tournament I’ve entered. I didn’t hear about it until my manager, Dilwyn Jenkins, put it in our group chat and told me to enter and then everyone jumped on the bandwagon.
“I rarely play season mode, so it was kind of weird for me as I play ultimate team. But on that game mode I was 27th in Europe so when that got around I was the scalp everyone wanted to beat, or at least that’s what it looked like.”
In fact, thanks to Sam, Trebanog quickly established themselves as the team the others wanted to avoid as he began with a crushing 23-0 victory.
His toughest game was his quarter-final clash against Jo Thomas of Drefach, an epic encounter that finished 3-3 before Sam sneaked through on the golden goal.
“I had to dig deep for that one. I didn’t quite get to the levels I wanted to get to.”
Another tough match – against Ammanford Development’s Ollie Thomas – followed in the semi-final. But Sam proved the man once more and squeezed through, 4-3.
That left the final, which Sam won again by just the odd goal to become the DAIsolate Cup king.
Well done @FCTredegar, we hope it all runs smoothly for you! https://t.co/BsMi2gPGZd
— Ammanford AFC (@AFCAmmanford) April 12, 2020
Now, he’s looking for his next challenge and added: “I just entered another tournament yesterday with one of my mates, Travis, so we’ll see how that goes.”
S4C picked up on the tournament’s success on social media and conducted one draw live on Heno, whilst the channel’s faces of football – Dylan Ebenezer and Nicky John – hosted the other round draws online.
Jason – who was inspired to bring Welsh football together through the competition – said: “We had such a great response from clubs, players and fans. We’re really proud of how well it took off.
“We are close to £2,000 raised too, with kind donations from a range of clubs, businesses and individuals.
“We would like to express our gratitude to all those who helped make the tournament such a success.
“All Wales Sports recorded each result on their website and donated prize money for the winner, runner up and semi-finalists.
“Dai Sport provided great reporting on the event, gifted a generous donation, and came up with the name of The DAIsolate Cup.
The tournament has now come to a close, however the just giving page will remain active for a few more days. If you are able to, please donate!
Monies raised go to NHS Wales and the local food bank to @TrebanogFC https://t.co/hy2sir1EWr
— Ammanford AFC (@AFCAmmanford) April 12, 2020
“Riley Sports donated the tournament trophies and Picton Sports supplied the winners and runners-up commemorative T-shirts.
“MESOA provided a range of products for the tournament winner, AGFX supplied all the fantastic technological inputs on the live streams, while Hirons Creative Studio supplied graphics and posters.
“And Nicky John and Dylan Ebenezer gave up their free time to present each draw.”
You can still contribute towards the fundraising drive at Ammanford’s Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ammanofrdfifa
