“First game for Season XXVI and the Picnic face a new opponent in Ricardion and his Orcs. The Handicaps were Doom and Gloom, and Bad Press. Could have been a lot worse, as we were down to 10 players already.

The kick off (with Ricardion giving up the first drive) and we pushed forward slowly, trying to sneak around the wall of angry Orcs. There was a fair bit of blocking, but we got the ball into some kind a position for a score. Still, the Orcs were closing fast, so we didn’t have much option for a stall. 1-0.

Ricardion moved forward carefully, hitting elves here and there and trying to get his cage in range. We pounced on the cage, but the one Blitzer in range managed to GFI over the line. 1-1 at half time…..or perhaps not!

I set up to attempt my first ever Frenzy 1 turner. Apologising to Ricardion (as I was going to take my time to try and get it right) I set up, only to get a Quick Snap result. Perrrfect. A few blocks and positioning, and my WE was in range with 2 GFIs……Brittany managed two dodges around the line but failed her first GFI…curses! 1-1 at half time.

So, we thought a relentless 8 turn Orc slow drive was on the cards, until a Blitz came up. Only one of our unskilled Blitzers was in range, so the Picnic pushed forward, trying to get as many players near the ball as possible. Sunrise (I think!) caught the ball, only to be decked. The ball spilled into the crowd and got thrown to the centre of the field.

Ricardion massed his players towards the ball, and grabbed it, putting a semi-cage around San'dar II…bringing Lost II into play, Paris got an assist onto San’dar and Lost II blitzed forward….BH, and the ball spilled onto Lost!!! Probably the turning play of the game.

We didn’t have many players left to protect Lost from being sacked, but we managed to get the ball out from amongst the Orcs, and put up a loose cage. Ricardion tried to surround the cage, but some nimble dodges allowed Brittany to retreat to the Picnic’s goal zone, out of reach.

A Failed GFI by An'Dar allowed Brittany to advance to half way, with the other elves putting up a defensive screen. Passing to The Bill, we scored. 2-1.

Ricardion set up to peg his Goblin at the end zone, only for double skulls to come up on a block. 2-1 the final result.

Bad luck Ricardion, it was a fun and challenging game. All the best with the rest of the season.

Votes

#3 – Flam’gor II – A double GFI score.

#2 – An’Dar – Annoying +AG thrower. Once he has block and accurate, he’ll be real trouble.

#1 - Claw'gar – For the cas, one step closer to block!
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