“The Knights Exemplar of Brettonia began their career in good style, with a thorough, if workmanlike, victory over the Orcs of Porkamorka. Alas, Jacques Rocque didn't make it past his first game, and once his fractured skull recovers, will be lending his support in a more advisory role in future.

Personally, it was a return to form after a really bad trot with the dice - it's refreshing to have a luck rating over 50% again.

PorkSol is an admitted newcomer, who worryingly has found games hard to come by in the Academy division - I'll be putting some effort into making sure the Academy gets more attention. Hence, he's had to learn the hard way in Ranked.

Despite all this, he didn't play too badly, but the signs were there - early commitment of players, particularly Black Orcs, to the LoS, meaning they were easy to bog down and keep away from the real play, and he tended to allow my Blitzers free access to his flanks - note in the replay how the Knights frequently attack the cage or ruck from behind. Added to this, his Thrower looked very exposed at the back if he didn't get a good kick off - it was all of these things combined which decided the game, early in the 2nd half - with a lot to do, the Orc Thrower made a handling error, and the Orcs couldn't pull back enough players after that, as they were overrun.

Meanwhile, my own play has taken on a new dimension, as I've started to pay attention to the turn timer - a legendary ditherer, I've found it helps me decide those end-of-turn moves better - often the answer is simply to not do anything, and avoid hurting players with dodges or chancey blocks.

Lastly, it's been a very long time since I coached Humans, but they're a side I'm comfortable with - they are durable, have good movement and 12 players is a very good idea on a new roster. I'm hoping we'll see plenty more from the Knights Exemplar.

Thanks for the game, PorkSol.”