In a game that was truly an homage to the great Reikland classical novelist, Carl Mickens, the Mary’s Land Terrible Terrapins squeaked out a close 1-0 win against the Sacred Lentil State Shamblers in a tale of two halves. This was the second win in a row for the Terrible Terrapins that seem to be rebounding from a disastrous 0-2 start to the season. However, some key injuries and an upcoming game against a talented elf squad means the Terrapins’ still have a lot of work ahead of them.

The game started with a surprise visit by two former alumni to the university, the famous Dribl and Drull. This pair made a name for themselves on the pitch in the early 2400’s, having been born as the only two Skinks in the spawning pool, surprising the Slann overseeing the process, as Skinks usually spawn in the hundreds. This event is rare and is seen either as a portent of great honor or great doom. In this case, it was a sign for the future Blood Bowl success that would come for the pair. While the pair initially had traveled to game as fans, it became quickly apparent that the Terrapins were outclassed by the Shamblers, and so the pair quickly jumped from the stands and onto the pitch.

The appearance of these stars must have spooked the Shamblers as the Terrapins came out with an aggressive first drive push that put the Shamblers on the back foot. Star David Damascus caught the uncharacteristically high kick and ran down the field while Alessandra Alleygainy her first casualty, (re)killing the zombie Oscar "the Troll" Villums with a swift block to the head.

“I didn’t think about it, I just did what my training told me to do,” Alessandra was quoted after the game. “I was surprised as everyone else when he didn’t get back up, those dead heads usually come right back.”

This was followed up quickly by Harmony One-Love who had also been working hard on her blocking technique, showing off her skills by getting her first casualty by badly hurting werewolf Brooklyn "Guns Blazing" Azcantla. Both injuries allowed the Terrible Terrapins to swiftly move down the field, but in a portent of things to come, when Drull went to deliver one of his famous flying kicks to the face of a downed Mike "the Ripper" Mogtoglian, the referee for the event blew their whistle sending the offending Drull off for the rest of the game. Clearly, Drull forgot this was a NCBB game where there is an enhanced focus on preventing fouling and while Mike was put into the casualty box, the necromancer seemed to have finally woken up and was able to successfully revive the werewolf. As the half wound down, David ran the ball in for his third career touchdown and capping off his 19 yards of rushing.


Dribl and Drull showing the Shamblers how they used to win games in college

The second half started with the Shamblers coming alive and despite a solid defensive call for the kickoff by Coach Lancelot, Raymond Hagerston quickly went down to an injury that is expected to keep him out of next week’s match. This was followed up by Harmony going down to a swift right hook by Tyler "The Mountain" Platzen, Harmony having clearly become too overconfident in her blocking ability, and received a concussion that will keep her out of the next game.

“We take head injuries very seriously,” coach Lancelot quoted after the game. “We’re building these young lizards into the stars they can be in the pros, it doesn’t benefit anyone if they get to that point carrying injuries that will haunt them.”

The Shamblers took advantage of the injuries by swiftly moving down the field, knocking out three more players and moving into the Terrapin’s side of the field. The Terrapins desperately were throwing everything they could in font of the relentless onslaught and were able to grind the drive to a halt at the 9 yd line. It was then that a ghoul was able to pick up the ball and sprint toward the endzone. In a surprising decision, coach Lancelot decided not to have Dribl employ his trademark knife on the ghoul, opting instead to bracket the ghoul with a Saurus and Dribl who is known to be able to side step around the ball. This move must have gotten into Coach Oryx’s head who mis-positioned his players focusing the ball carrying ghoul into a difficult series of dodges. These were ultimately their downfall for while the pushed back Saurus wasn’t initially able to grab the slippery ghoul, they were able to prevent them from making their final dodge and sending them to the injury box.

“It’s a lucky win,” Coach Lancelot said at the end of the game. “One we needed to build on from our last week’s success. We need to work on finishing these games better, and that will be harder than ever down two key players for next week. We just need to keep treating every game like it’s the only one that matters and work to do our best.”

It is the hope of the campus that ‘their best’ is good enough to get the Terrible Terrapins into a bowl game. Only time will tell.