“Antipodal Regional Shield 7/07 - round 1
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I was a bit nervous when my most fluffed up team faced a khemri team in the first round of the Antipodal Regional Shield, but the Gangstas had a great start which (stupidly) got my hopes up. Shanks was as usual a force on the pitch and managed to dispose of the opponents dirty player in the starting turns of the match. After a quick TD it was time for defense, but the humans spent the set-up time bribing the ref to get away with some low blows.

Through fighting hard the Gangstas managed to hold them off and even dispose of one of the mummies through Shank's hard blows. Holding off a khemri team unfortunately hindered them of taking advantage of the bribed ref, which would have been needed.

That tactic looked like it would work even in the 2nd half, where the Gangstas got a good start when they kicked the ball deep and swarmed towards it with most of the team. Suddenly the tide turned though, and the khemri suddenly landed a barrage of thundering blows on the humans. The succesful hit rate was amazing and the Gangstas was soon cut down to 5 players on the pitch. The brutish ogre Karl Swendsen also played his part in losing the match for his team, missing an astounding amount of bonehead roles, especially the really crucial ones that would have won the match for the team.

BigBroth clawed his way to a turn 16 TD and I could just shake my head in disbelief. What had looked like a sure win had turned to disaster in the final quarter of the match. The Gangstas now had to face a full line-up of Khemri with only 6 or so players on the pitch...not an attractive situation, even if the match was very entertaining and exciting.

With both teams running low on rerolls the half turned out more even than expected. Failed blocks on both sides managed to open up the cage, and the ball somehow got loose just outside the humans end zone line. Taiki broke free of his guards and snapped up the ball, while the thrower Blowout found himself in the awkward position of recieving. Had the situation been reversed the Gangstas would likely have won the match, but the 4+ throw failed despite having a reroll in store. The ball scattered around the feet of Blowout and some skeletons were soon upon him. By now the OT half was running out though and neither side could run in the TD.

Nuffle would never allow me to win a coin toss, so BigBroth is through to the next round. Thanks for a really fun match and good luck in round two! I got away without any team crippling injuries and I was really close to winning the match, which I didn't think I would against your team :)

The Gothenburg Gangstas now exit their 4th tournament in a row where they have been beaten in the first round, but in this one I think they can keep their heads high :)”