“Warpstone Open Qualifier Final!

Da Teef Rippas qualify for the Warpstone Open! Waaaaaaagh!

Kung Pow came armed to the teeth with Hthark and a Wizard. Da Rippas chose not to spend, since even then we were 28 TS stronger and that money will come in handy later. Da Rippas were a bit anxious about facing *two* ST6 Break Tackle Bulls without Morg on our side, but decided to bite the bullet. Handicaps against were Duh where am I on Gruur, Buzzing on Hthark, Iron Man on Moo Niu and Smelling Salts.

Da Rippas received first and put the ball on AG4 Blitzer Kranak. Our blocks were weak and the first attempt to go down the right flank got bogged down. Kung Pow positioned their players well and forced da Rippas out of a controlled cage. Moo Niu exploited this (of course) and knocked the ball free, but into the hands of Da Rippas other AG4 Blitzer Gruur. He switched sides and ran, but was weakly protected. Fortunately da Rippas had tied down the Uber-bulls and when Hthark failed his dodge Gruur could continue his run. But Kung Pow still regrouped and knocked him down near the end zone. They also tied down Komog, who was prepared to remove any obstacles for Gruur to recover the ball...

...forcing Da Rippas to make a fancy play in T8 to score: Kranak dodged free, 1d-blitzed a rookie Hobgoblin and made two GFI to the end zone. Gruur dodged into TZ to pick up, dodged out and quick passed to Kranak for the score! (2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 3+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+). 1-0 at half-time.

Fouling was weak in the first half and both teams were at full strength for the second. Da Rippas fans were very disappointed with this and started the half with getting the ref. Kung Pow put the ball on Hobgoblin Lau Kar Wing and moved upfield while most of da Rippas' players stayed back. (Except DP Grorug, who was getting busy in the LOS blocking battle.) Lau Kar Wing moved around the blocking battle and Moo Niu moved into scoring range. Da Rippas applied some pressure and fouled Hthark out. Kung Pow then decided to go for the score in T4, but burned a RR on a 2d block and failed the hand-off to Moo Niu! Gruur recovered the ball and switched sides...

...Boooom! The fireball took down Gruur, allowing Moo Niu to move in and steal back the ball. But he was unsupported by now, his teammates losing the blocking battle against da Rippas superior ST and Guard advantage. Da Rippas moved in four players to bring him down and Kranak could run away with the ball again. Kung Pow desperately chased him towards their end zone and a lone rookie Hobgoblin did bring him down in T15, but it was too late by then and Da Rippas could secure the 2-0 win in the last turn.

GG Gritter, well played, see you around. Da Rippas are going to the WO!”