“What an absolute Cracker of a game. It was with much nervousness that the "Echoes of the Great Song" tramped out from the change rooms for this season opener. In particular there was a great fear of a couple of Werewolves in the Citadel's team who had dodged many a silver bullet in their lifetime and were at this stage in their lives looking suitably diabolical. Match stated well enough as a virus swept through the "Ancients" ranks, Black Boneheart and the dirty zombie Kand-meet succumbing to the illness. Talaban was also the beneficiary of a suitably Knuckledusterish shaped package before the game, and was feeling pretty Mighty. The "Ancients" won the kick off, electing to recieve.

It was a nervous start to the game. The first block of the game requiring all the skills learnt on the training paddock to change the result. Slasher Puppie was swift to send Karesh Var to the KO bin, while Little bit of Rage stormed downfield, with LittleSaw gathering the ball and tucking in behind the first line of defense. Then the first carnage of the game. Buried to Early launched himself at the elven lineman Judon, running straight into a massive headbutt which dislodged his own head.. beyond coach theopacmans abilities to regenerate him. The "Echoes" began with nerves too. Their training coming in handy for an early block by the rookie Wardancer Cation. Opening the team up badly when Anwar failed a dodge, heading for the blitz on Littlesaw, as his dodging ability was negated by the Wight Kill junior. Judon received some payback and was sent to Knocked Outsville. Little bit of Rage sauntering in for the opening TD. The "Echoes" set up their drive by taking advantage of holes on the wings by sending Cation and Togen deep into "Ancients" territory, while Karesh Var played with the ball in the backfield, is another Silver Boomerang on the cards this season? Togen and Pendar soon joined Judon in the KO box, while Cation was caught in a wardancer sandwich. However it was all to make little difference as Ra-Hel blitzed Anwar's Zombie marker, and Cation leapt his defenders and scampered into the endzone. "Var" handed off to Anwar, who sped upfield and sent a simple spiral to Cation for the TD. Could this be a high scoring affair? All the Echoes returned from being Knocked Out, so it was that 11 "Echoes" lined up against 10 "Ancients". This was remedied quickly enough. A good kickoff by the Elves was negated somewhat as Littlesaw made up massive ground in the backfield to gather the ball, while Slasher Puppie proceeded to fracture Veris' arm, and Little bit of Rage dropped back in support. Little was achieved in the "Echoes" turn, our block on that damn wolf was ineffective (this was to be the case all game, tackle skill needed very soon), while most of the Elves dodged away and setup a zone defense. Then the first real mistake of the game happened, LittleSaw tripping over and spilling the ball. Rather than try and cover the ball, we went for the TD straight away. Togen ran to the endzone.. initially stumbling to get there, while the intended passer of the ball Suryet stumbled just before getting to the ball, falling in a heap and Knocking herself Out. Little bit of Rage of course sent Togen to spend some time with the Citadels supporters, but luckily there was some "Echoes" support there and he was only stunned. LittleSaw regathered and Talaban was unable to bring him to ground. Yet More Blood was able to badly hurt Anwar, while LittleSaw just hung out with his friends and they all blocked Elves. This turn Talaban was able to make his blitz, knocking out the plucky ghoul, and Ra-Hel was able to badly hurt Shuffles, who also failed to regenerate. But no one was able to get to the ball. The star werewolves combined next turn, Little bit of Rage scooping up the pill and sprinting up the field, handing off to Slasher Puppy who caught the ball in a tackle zone, dodged away and headed in for the Touchdo... no wait he's tripped. Slasher Puppy falls at the last hurdle, and the crowd proceeds to kick the ball within range of the "Echoes" players. With a last chance to go in ahead at the break, the "Echoes" calmly free up Cation for the pass, with both he and Pendar within range for the TD, but despite a beautiful pass by Judon, the rookie Wardancer again let the team down, grassing a simple catch.
Halftime: Echoes 1 Ancients 1.

The second half began with a quick Touch Down by the "Echoes", Karesh Var connecting with Judon. The following "Ancients" drive was predictable, Slasher Puppy being handed the ball before weaving up the field, from one protection zone to the next, the "Echoes" only block on the ball carrier proving ineffective. It was at this point, with each team in turn 5 that Coach theopacman could have opted to try and stall for the draw. Instead he bravely went for the win, Slasher Puppy running it in. The "Echoes" set up their play, with some thoughts towards taking 3 turns rather than the standard 2 for the TD. But with our thrower Karesh Var moving into a pretty forward position pocket, both Talaban and Togen were left to hold their feet within scoring range, markers being dropped on them instead, while Slasher puppy blitzed through the line of scrimmage, and went for it twice to be left standing right over a shocked "Var". With the strength 4 zombie Eth'el marking Togen, both team wardancers risked dodges to blitz him to the ground, before Karesh Var dodged away and passed to Togen, who used his full movement to run in for the TD. At the time I saw the pressure on my 'thrower' as reason enough to get the play over and done with, but having viewed the replay I have seen a reasonable stall option by going high into the corner. That said while only one player could have reached him, that player was Little bit of Rage, who with block, tackle and strip ball would surely have made a mess of my 2 strength catcher. So in hind site I will stand by my decision. The final play. Theo had his 2 turns to force the draw, putting his wight Kill Junior and werewolf Little bit of Rage into scoring range, before the ghoul LittleSaw failed to pick up the ball. The "Echoes tried to cover everything, 2 markers were put on both recievers while Talaban tried to bring down the Wolf. Again in hind site maybe the block should have been taken closer to the sidelines to deny him a run down the side, but at this stage I was confident in the rest of my play coming off, and feared a retribution crowd push. Togen was used to tie down Slasher Puppy, while Karesh Var headed down the field and put a tackle zone on the ball and LittleSaw. Again on inspection of the replay, perhaps I should have just marked the ball, as my eventual positioning provided theo with a free assist without forcing a move, or could have seen 1 dice blocking. All in all I was pretty satisfied with my defense, besides the failed blitz. The play..... Slasher Puppy dodges away and blitzes Karesh Var, taking advantage of he not having the block skill he is put down with a both down. LittleSaw picks up the ball and heads downfield with two reciever options, both in two tackle zones. The pass is atleast a long pass, maybe even a long bomb. Cation fails to intecept as the ball sails on its way and is caught by Little bit of Rage without even use of the catch skill, before said wolf dodges away and down the sideline for the equaliser. Now thats some sort of play to tie a game. Well done theo.
Final Score: Echoes of the Great Song 3 Citadel Ancients 3.

Not too bad a game to open the season, and this teams first ever draw.. bloody exciting and nerve racking to boot. One botched TD each and a super play at the end to manage a well earned draw. All the best for the rest of the season theo, great game, feel free to lay some hurt you elvish necro sod :)

Twahnlows:
3 Votes to #3 Little bit of Rage - Superstar performance. Didnt have anyone who could handle him or his brother wolf in arms. Brillaint catch for the final TD.

2 Votes to #4 Slasher Puppy - Ditto this guy. Some one needs to take a gun and some silver bullets to these two horrors. Quickly.

1 Vote to #8 LittleSaw - Didnt do everything asked of him, but tried his guts out all day, and is only a young ghoul, but looks to have heaps of potential. Awesome final pass without a reroll for the game saving TD.”