Day two in the Ranked! I started playing quite late, so I knew I wouldn't have time for more than max 2 games.

Goals:
1. Get at least one touchdown. I need to start scoring more.
2. Get a win or draw. I can't keep losing forever!


Team changes:
15 Ekhs Bendabl - RIP.
15 Hemuran Hage - New lineman
10 Casse Alty - New lineman


Games:

X Gloryseekers - Heritage of the Welfs X
2 Gloryseekers - Vras Banshees 1


The first game, againts Wood Elves, started very well for me. I won the coin toss and decided to kick. My opponent was quite unlucky, failing to pick up the ball twice (what's with elves and failing at agility tests?) as well as getting some bad block results.

To my utter disappointment just when I had broken down his cage - turn 4, 1st half, deep in his side of pitch - and was going to blitz his ball-carrier, he suddenly disconnected. After waiting thirty minutes I decided to retire the game - I want to finish a game tonight!


The second game was againts Amazons. The team difference was higher than I thought - I got Bad Publicity - but I really didn't feel playing the suggested opponent (orcs with 10 players, one of whom would miss the game!) would be fair either!

The game started nicely for me: Blitz on kickoff got two of my linemen behind the amazon line, while blocks resulted with badly injured blitzer and linewoman. His thrower failing to pick up the ball bought me all the time I needed, and soon I had the ball in my hands and two linemen vs. one thrower. I threw some 2-dice blocks in and scored.

Of course, I shouldn't have celebrated too soon. I started out strong again, getting similar situation as with my first score. His thrower failed to pick up the ball again, and I could almost taste the touchdown.

Then I fucked up. I was worried one my linemen could get thrown in the audience, so I tried to dodge... And failed. This time the thrower did not fail at picking up the ball. After two passes and some good blocking, amazons tied. The last thing of note in the 1st half was when my thrower failed to throw a long pass, even with his re-roll. What's up with elves failing agility checks? With re-roll he had 75% chance to succeed!

The start of the second half I dominated. With 5 amazons down and ball next to his line I stalled a bit - I didn't want to risk my chance at victory. One round of stalling was enough though - I didn't want to be unsporting.

With half a period left I made mistake AGAIN, by leaving both sides open. Bad Kick and some GFI later, he had a blitzer just 3 squares from scoring. The last rounds were hectic battle of trying to keep the handful amazon in check. He did a lot of risky manouvering, some working, some not. All the time, however, he was close to scoring. The game ended with last scoring chance when one of his linewomen tried to throw the ball from middle of 3 elves to his blitzer waiting behind the goal line. To my relief the pass fumbled.

Thus, after a very bloody game - 1 death, 1 broken arm and 3 badly injured amazons vs. nothing on my side - I've managed my first victory with the elves. I'm glad I did it, but at the same time I'm not going to lie to myself: I should have won by a larger margin. Even with half his team in the infirmary, he still had a chance to tie the game. He also had horrible luck most of the game, while my luck was good. I still have plenty to learn!


Team developement:
Phaed Phun (lineman): Double, learned Block.

Again I thought about the other possibilities, but stayed firm in my plan: My linemen HAVE to get Block and Dodge ASAP. I'll plan to eventually get 1-2 catchers and 1-2 more blitzers, but right now, it's all about getting the basic stuff.