“This first ever crossover game between two of the largest and most successful National Leagues in the known world had attracted a lot of interest from Blood Bowl enthusiasts everywhere. Originally scheduled to be played almost a week before, it was delayed as countless interested bodies fought over advertising rights, sponsorship, tickets, everything. This week of fighting though paled in comparison to the bloody slaughter that was about to be played out...

Necrophilia began on offence and did so by surging in numbers down the center of the field, knocking their opponents aside with apparent ease. The Carlton players struggled to contain the surge as Duke Snakefield made his way downfield in search of the ballcarrier.
He could not make it in time to stop John Holmes the Ghoul however who ran free and, passing long to fellow Ghoul Long John, completed a pass that was quickly converted. 1-0 to Necrophilia.

Carlton set up to receive the ball, forced to face what seemed to be a perfect defensive formation from the Undead. Breaking through the lines regardless, they sent runners deep as Gibson lined up for the pass. While beating mercilessly upon the Carlton players, the Swedish zombies sent a couple of Wights back to mark the receivers. Too litle though as Duke Snakefield was left open to support Chucky Nigglefish who, receiving a long pass deep, scored easily. The game was tied, 1 apiece.

Carlton numbers were starting to fall even at this early stage with Mr. Swan and Kegster Clyde both sporting game ending injuries.
The entire Undead team lined up on the line of scrimmage for their next drive and their intent was obvious. To kill every last human they could find. Moving to their grim task before the whistle was even blown, there was no doubting their desire to make warm flesh cold.

Steve Harley fell immediately under the fists of the horde. Joe Hurler and Bazman were soon to follow. None of them would be taking part in the rest of the game.
With only 8 players on the field, Carlton made a desperate attempt to capture the ball before it could be delivered downfield. This time they met some measure of success, as Gordon Lau and Nigglefish fell upon the isolated John Holmes. They could not stop the agile Holmes from breaking free however and he quickly delivered the ball to the waiting TT Boy.

All seemed lost for the Carlton defenders as the shuffling dead closed in from all sides to finish their grim business. All seemed lost that is until a bolt of lightning shot from the crowd, blasting the hapless TT Boy to the ground and spilling the ball. It seems the Mr. Swan had arranged front row seats for the commissioners of the greatly feared and respected Southern Wizard League. Everyone knows they love their Bowl as much as the next man...

The amazingly talented Duke Snakefield leapt upon the ball with almost lightning-like speed himself, running it forward and hurling it to Carlton's other leading Blitzer, Lau. 2-1 Carlton!!

The crowd were getting excited, but things were uneasy in the Carlton rooms as 10 men only were able to take the field. The dead Swedes' enthusiasm had only been heightened by Carlton's Touchdown, and they again began their drive ahead of the whistle. Mr. Swan screamed furiously at the ref from his stretcher, but his cries went unanswered.
The undead shuffled forward in a frenzy of fists and more fists but Carlton were resolute in their defence, staying true to their famous tenacity when under pressure.

The inevitable pass game once more from the Ghoulish thrower and was received by their scorer, TT Boy. He immediately rushed to the line but a timely tackle from Davros Hugz saw him rolling on the ground in some kind of deathly agony. Both teams scrambled to the ball, sensing a turning point had been reached, but the half time whistle beat them to it.

Receiving in the second half and already 1 touchdown ahead of the game, Carlton tried hard to suppress the building excitement. They knew full well that they would be hard pressed still against the sheer strength and numbers of their foe.

Taking a leaf from the Swedish playbook, they started their drive as the half time entertainment was still quitting the field. The Blitzers cleared paths and the Catchers ran forward. A long pass came sailing over the scrum and Brother Fernando, taking the field for the first time in his career, was under it. The crowd held its breath as he raised his shaking hands to receive the ball. Dropped! TT Boy ran back and collected it from him but quickly thereafter collected Davros' fist. John Holmes was the fastest in the resulting struggle though and, passing it to an unmarked Wight, created the play that would lead to another for the Necrophiliacs. Back to even scores, 2 played 2.

The Swedes were fired and although Carlton would again receive it would be they that would leap upon the ball from the kickoff. With 7 undead creatures packed around the ball, things looked immediately grim for our valiant Carlton. In desperation, and only in desperation, 'Skullface' Gibson dived deep into the pack. The crowd as one got to their feet to see what had happened to him... he emerged, ball in hand! Lobbing it to the far wing he found the, this time steady enough, hands of Fernando, who sprinted downfield supported by his captain.

Howling in rage, the dead things fell upon the pair. Duke Snakefield put up a spirited defence against five of the beasts, but was knocked to the ground unconcious. Fernando was left alone but the Duke had bought him enough time to get clear and he scrambled over the line. Carlton were again in the lead!

With 9 players left standing and little time on the clock, Carlton prepared for one last test. Once again the undead came, this time spreading their attack across the entire field in an effort to confuse the scanty Carlton defence. Carltons remaining Blitzers raced forward to attempt an interception of the pass that was to come. They were not enough though and the faultless John Holmes once more tossed the ball unerringly to it's mark. Once more, the Wight receiver, TT Boy, turned to meet the pass. Suddenly, from over a pack of skeletons dived Chucky Nigglefish, slapping the ball from the Wight's boney hands and sending it to the turf. Hew was quickly put there himself however and John Holmes ran forward to collect his own pass, this time putting it into a pair of hands that would take it over the line.

The final whistle blew and the match was declared a draw. The Champion's Cup would remain unclaimed but was sure to be fought over again by the two greatest teams that these two leagues could muster...

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Thanks for the game Marley. You're a great coach and it was a truly exciting game. Right to the wire! ;)”