“This was a war from start to finish.

I got morleys and knuckledusters as the handicaps (like uh, I don't have enough MB?). Anyway, first couple of turns were usual - i.e. pows for opponent, I get to stand my guys up. Then, I'm not sure how/why but the Orcs got themselves 'cornered' on the sideline, which is deadly against so many guards. It took several 1 dice blocks to break free key players, but the upshot of it was that Bacardi, one of the Orcs most gifted players, was gifted to the crowd, who all wanted a souveneir, and took a piece of him home.

Each.

The Orcs finished the first half with 4 players as a result, me with 10, and apo used.

2nd Half, I wondered if I might have a chance - for the first time outnumbering the Orcs from the kickoff, with Morleys finally having some effect on a couple of the Orcs key players, and a Troll staying KO'd for most of the game.

Then my luck deserted me, and turned steeply in the Orcs favour. Suddenly I was outnumbered again, everything aside blocks was failing (dodges, gfi etc) and even the blocks weren't dropping any more players.

The dice had 'turned'. Though the Orcs had been +5-10% better luck all game, they badly hurt a few of my guys, removing both Troll slayers off the field and leaving me outnumbered again. I've never known Dwarevs that crumble so badly as these, but they did me proud in this game, battling it out, almost scoring (improbably, needing 5 or 6 at least on a long pass or bomb, failing every time) and a dodge pickup in tz and throw attempt almost broke my heart in turn 16 for the orcs, but the throw failed (thank goodness).

What a battle.

Start to finish, no quarter asked/given, and another draw for the Dwarves. I won't win, or qualify for the next round, but -50 tr down, 11 players max available, and armour value that folds like paper weren't enough to stop me grinding out the draw, which I *think* I just about deserved, as the dice screwed me over at key moments when it looked easier to score. I made a couple of mistakes, and got away with it as well.

Cheers Koadah - best o luck in the next round, you're bound to qualify as your team is rock hard, filled with decent skills and coached well.

Mine? I Hope they can still field 11 players at the end of the tourney - I will view that as victory, even if they have less TR/TS than when they started :S

edit: Great. Just like last game, the only skill I gain is accompanied by a niggle. With not enough cash to buy more players, 2 niggles from last game, I'll be lucky to start with more than 10 players next game. Retirement beckons after this tournament - the Stompaz have serevd me well, but their AV3 masquerading as AV9 means they aren't likely to survive much longer.”