“Antipodal Regional Shield 8/07 - Round One

Very interesting game in the end. The game started with the Network rolling knuckledusters for a handicap and giving it to their blodging wight, Terebor and the Anvils being granted a Rune of Stone by their runesmith which was bestowed upon Dalo Earthblade.

The Network decided to receive, and after a pass from deep they started a running game down the right hand side of the pitch. The dwarven armour held up quite well apart from a few stuns and a single KO but the Anvils ended up over-committing leaving the Network to use their extra pace to escape down the opposite flank. The Anvils gave chase injuring a wight (who regenerated) and KOing a wolf which encouraged the Network to score which they did, leaving the Anvils a good five turns to go for the equaliser.

With the Network getting a Blitz! result on the kick-off it wasn't looking promising for the Anvils. Eventually the Anvils managed to set up a trademark drive with Sug Grimlode carrying the ball. The play got held up at the halfway line but with the re-rolls running out on the Network it led to two failed blocks in two consecutive turns and the Anvils making a break for the endzone. Fianlly scoring on the last turn of the half.

Now the second half is where the game got interesting. The Network had obviously been working hard in defensive training, with them rolling a perfect defense. With the ball scattering to just off the halfway line and with Chosen of the Baneson putting a tackle zone on the ball it looked difficult for the Anvils. They set up a defensive line of guards by the ball and proceeded to try and clear it, blitzing the golem in the process. With the ball free Sug again went for the ball, but this time snakes tripped him as he went for some extra pace. The ball scattered to just behind him and the rest of the defensive line so things didn't look too bad. The Network tried to move the ball by pushing a couple of dwarves into it but fortunately for the Anvils it stayed relatively safe. Eventually Sug grabbed the ball and took it into a pocket. The Network were playing brilliantly, zombies tieing up most of the longbeards while the wolf and friends pestered the ball carrier. The Anvils ended up having to make a break for it down the left side of the pitch. It was at this point that some ill advised 1d blocks from the Anvils coach put them in more difficulty than was really necessary. A longbeard one turn rolling skull, skull with a blitzer following suit next turn to allow the Network to get their tackler free to chase down the ball carrier. Two turns the Network got a 2d on Sug, but somehow he just wouldn't go down. Eventually the rest of his team caught up with him allowing Sug to go for the endzone with the Network tied up by longbeards and blitzers. Finally scoring in the last turn.

2-1 to the Anvils really isn't a fair score. The Network should have taken the victory here with only some real luck after a couple of terrible mistakes saving the Anvils. They shall have to improve for the next round if they want to go any further in the tournament!”