“NWL Season 10
Round 6

One word described this game: Frustration

From the opening kickoff, the St Louis Hams thought they had it in the bag. After two frustrating turns for the Metropolis Sharks, the Hams manage to gain control of the ball near the sideline in the Sharks backfield as several Sharks leave the pitch. Thrower #12 Gus Garrote then grabs the ball and dashes down field as the rest of the Hams begin to take up defensive positions. Then it all unraveled as ST5 #95 Anthony Shallow-Grave makes a pointless frenzy blitz on a side stepping ghoul, bringing him into threat position and leaving Gus's backside exposed. The ball gets knocked away from Gus and the few remaining Sharks surround it with side stepping ghouls, AG4 wights and Dan Mako, a ST4/AG4/MA8 ghoul. It takes until turn 8 for the Hams to finally knock the ball free. Gus manages to snag the ball and goes for the endzone successfully. Hams lead, 1-0 at the end of the 1st half.

The second half starts with the Sharks kicking to the Hams, who set up for the famous oh no! flying TD machine. But frustration sets in again as the Sharks make a blitz off the LOS, scattering offense and making a play on the ball in the Hams backfield. The Hams make a desperate attempt to recover the ball, but Sharks SuperGhoul, Dan Mako (ST4/AG4/MA8) was unstoppable. Gobbo Oh No! recieved a bump on the head as Andy McKillem tried to throw him at Don Mako, and the poor little guy never returned to the game. Turn 1, 2nd Half, score tied, 1-1.

The Sharks kick off again, this time the Hams get the ball and set up a strong defense for the slow crawl to the endzone. Not taking any chances, the Hams field both throwers to maximize ball control. The Orcs from St Louis move smoothly into position, protecting the ball and lining up a lane for the endzone when prophane makes the worst offensive call in the game. He gives Troll Andy McKill'em a set of complex blocking plays ("hit the zombie in front of you" were the exact words) that confused him and then told #91 Drunken Little to go for an undermanned block against a nearby mummy, resulting in Drunken Little being 'knocked the fluff out' and opening a perfect hole for Dan Mako to rush in and knock the ball away. The frustrating scramble for the ball begins again amid a pile of orcs and sidestepping ghouls. Eventually the Hams recover the ball, but its too late and the Hams are stuck holding the ball halfway to the endzone as the whistle blows.

It was a hard fought and well played game by both teams.
Though it was a tie, the Hams will take it as a moral victory (we get a few of those each season!) vs the current #1 team in the
Northern Wastes League Premiere Division.

Good game pml97, thanks!

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