27 000 screaming (probably because most of them were in some state of undeadness) fans turned up to the Holes Bay stadium to see a special Monday Night Match, billed as being on "a completely level playing field". And although that was true of the two teams, right down to their fan factors and re-rolls, it could not be said of the pitch itself. In all my days commentating on Blood Bowl games, I don't think I've ever seen a pitch in quite such bad condition. Weeds, old discarded bits of padding and broken helmets, the lids of at least two coffins, and more molehills than in Alan Tichmarsh's back garden.
Still, the teams were even, and both were rookie sides. However, one thing that did spoil the equilibrium was the coaches - creekmoor was coming into this game with a wealth of experience of the big occasions. Coach Meady, on the other hand, is still a relative newcomer, and the gaps in his experience were all to evident last night.
The game started with a stand off, and both teams were cancelling each other out, either side of the line of scrimmage. The Cackers had had the ball from the kick off. In the excitement, I forget whether it was Daddy or Nobodys who was holding the ball. Isla had broken down the right side of the field, and the ball carrier was stuck out on the left. However, the Cackers offense created a superb play, systematically getting Slayers defenders out of the way to create room for the ball-carrying Ghoul to run wide with the ball, cut inside, and then deliver a superb throw. Isla caught it, and was wide open: 1 - 0.
A good kick off from Holes Bay immediately put New York under pressure. One of the players carried the ball laterally across the field. He was under pressure, stumbled and dropped the ball. Ash was there to pick up the pieces and run the ball into the end zone for a two - nothing lead. It was an unexpected touchdown, but it was also a crushing blow for the Slayers, right on the stroke of half time.
They received the ball from the kick off, but lost it again, and another good throw put Ash into a position were scoring was the only option - it was three - nil and the fat zombie was singing loudly. Slayers fans were already leaving the ground in their hundreds when a needless throw was intercepted, and then thrown downfield to Daddy, who caught it and ran it over the line to complete the rout.
It was a fine performance from the Cackers, and they hit hard too, creating an advantage through the game in that the Slayers were often a skeleton or two down.
The rematch at the New York Slayers Superdome is eagerly awaited.....”
Holes Bay Cackers 4 New York Slayers 0
27 000 screaming (probably because most of them were in some state of undeadness) fans turned up to the Holes Bay stadium to see a special Monday Night Match, billed as being on "a completely level playing field". And although that was true of the two teams, right down to their fan factors and re-rolls, it could not be said of the pitch itself. In all my days commentating on Blood Bowl games, I don't think I've ever seen a pitch in quite such bad condition. Weeds, old discarded bits of padding and broken helmets, the lids of at least two coffins, and more molehills than in Alan Tichmarsh's back garden.
Still, the teams were even, and both were rookie sides. However, one thing that did spoil the equilibrium was the coaches - creekmoor was coming into this game with a wealth of experience of the big occasions. Coach Meady, on the other hand, is still a relative newcomer, and the gaps in his experience were all to evident last night.
The game started with a stand off, and both teams were cancelling each other out, either side of the line of scrimmage. The Cackers had had the ball from the kick off. In the excitement, I forget whether it was Daddy or Nobodys who was holding the ball. Isla had broken down the right side of the field, and the ball carrier was stuck out on the left. However, the Cackers offense created a superb play, systematically getting Slayers defenders out of the way to create room for the ball-carrying Ghoul to run wide with the ball, cut inside, and then deliver a superb throw. Isla caught it, and was wide open: 1 - 0.
A good kick off from Holes Bay immediately put New York under pressure. One of the players carried the ball laterally across the field. He was under pressure, stumbled and dropped the ball. Ash was there to pick up the pieces and run the ball into the end zone for a two - nothing lead. It was an unexpected touchdown, but it was also a crushing blow for the Slayers, right on the stroke of half time.
They received the ball from the kick off, but lost it again, and another good throw put Ash into a position were scoring was the only option - it was three - nil and the fat zombie was singing loudly. Slayers fans were already leaving the ground in their hundreds when a needless throw was intercepted, and then thrown downfield to Daddy, who caught it and ran it over the line to complete the rout.
It was a fine performance from the Cackers, and they hit hard too, creating an advantage through the game in that the Slayers were often a skeleton or two down.
The rematch at the New York Slayers Superdome is eagerly awaited.....”