“Premier Round 4 and both these teams needed the points badly to keep up with the leading pack. Quite a few injuries between the teams, but nothing that crippled them…yet! Bob started well, making all his niggle rolls and I knew this would be a tough game.

Our fist drive started well enough, pushing bob steadily back and KO’ing Jigsaw. However, we stalled near the sideline and couldn’t press forward fast enough, what with the Werewolves threatening. Having left both my Witches off the field, I couldn’t compete. So, with my advance stalled, I tried to sneak a throw over the pack to a receiver, but the star of the Theatre, Mork Blackhelm, stole the ball out of the air. Now, we had to scramble a quick defence.

Bob did well, protecting the ball in a tight cage, and adding a few fouls in to KO a few players. It was right about now that I started to become very tempted at using my Wizard early. I thought about it over about 3 turns, but decided instead to try for some 1 die blocks on the Wolf ball carrier, as Bob had luckily left a little space. The gamble paid off, and the ball spilled, but Bob managed to corner it and again pressed forward.

Yet again I felt the urge to throw the fireball, but another 1 die block presented itself. Luckily, again, I got the ball carrier down, and this time, we managed to steal the ball for ourselves. A risky pass to a tagged receiver, who managed to hold the ball and handoff to a runner. We scrambled to the line, heart in mouth. 1-0 first half. Bob had every reason to feel cheated, it was a stroke of luck indeed.

Deciding to get stuck in, Bob managed to badly hurt and MNG two players in his last turn of the half. What with our KO’s, we were reduced to 11 elves for the second half.

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Picking up where he started, Bob KO’d and BH’d more elves as he smashed his way up field. He formed a really nice cage, something that my elves would not be able to break, but that formed a tempting target for my Wizard. The fireball BH’d (regen) one Zombie and knocked over enough players for me to get to he ball carrier again. My AG5 snapped up the ball and threw to a waiting runner. 2 GFIs and it was 2-0. We were almost in the clear.

However, our KO rolls were not impressive. And on his first few blocks, Bob worsened the situation. From being resigned to a loss, Bob pressed forward aiming for a last minute draw. He put the boot into my AG5 lino, only for the ref to finally wake up after dozing through most of the match. I managed to stall him for a few turns, making the draw less likely, and a RIP by Home and Away added to Bob’s frustration. Trying something tricky, Bob ran his Werewolf past my defenders, trying for a dodge to make the score, but it failed. While we couldn’t consolidate fully, it did eat up more time as we fought for the ball. Bob won out, and scored, giving himself two turns to steal the draw.

We set up, fully intending to crowd the ball. We got a few KO’s back, but not enough to ensure victory beyond doubt. Then, all of a sudden it was snowing! A blizzard had hit the stadium. Thanking nuffle, we surrounded the ball and put up as best a defensive screen as we could. Bob rushed towards the ball, but with one of his wolves on the ground (thanks to a timely blitz) and the snow preventing easy GFIs, he could only put a few players within reach. We got the ball to Home and Away, who hid behind two witches (lucky sod) and waited for the inevitable attack. Mork Blackhelm tried valiantly to reach him, but hurt himself on the dodge. 2-1, the final result.

Well played Bob, you threatened constantly and out-bashed my poor elves consistently. If it wasn’t for the Wizard, and freakish 1-die blocks…….

Best of luck for the season and relegation (if that’s what happens) and thanks for a tense, fun game. Now get that JoeKano!

Votes

#3 – Mork Blackhelm – who else? Intercepted the ball and caused my players no end of headaches. Sad to hear his next game may be his last.

#2 – Jumpin’ Jack Gnash – awesome name, awesome player. The more difficult of the two WWs to pin down.

#1 - Ed Sombre – For the score and future prospects.

Special mention

The Flesh Golems deserve a mention here. While they may not have shown up much in the stats, their Guard, ST4 and Stand Firm played havoc with our plays.
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