“A game that was supposed to be a “recovery game” for the embattled Snipers, instead turned out to be their bloodiest game yet. The fans loved it, turning up in record numbers (despite the oppressively hot conditions) to watch a game that saw the two season leaders go head to head.

Coach Brewin wouldn’t say much prior to the match except that “he thought he was due for a loss, and besides he forgot to sacrifice a goat to Nuffle prior to the match.” Coach Malco meanwhile had just recruited a new Treeman; Stronbranch; for his team, which was expected to adequately compensate for one of his War Dancers; Pephannas; missing the game due to injury.

The Snipers received the kick off and tried their typical play of charging down the sideline with the ball. Whilst this tactic may have some success with slower teams, the Wanderers were able to shut it down easily, punishing the gutter runner with the ball; Shadow; by knocking him into the stands. Shadow face-planted a bleacher and woke up much later in hospital. The ball was thrown back in and the Snipers briefly managed to recover it before the Wanderers, inspired by the smashing prowess of their newly recruited Treeman, pummeled the Snipers, got the ball and scored. The Elven fans went wild, not used to seeing their team cause so much bloodshed.

1-0 down already due to a turn-over and with only 6 rats left to line up against 11 elves, it was looking like the Snipers were going to get utterly thrashed. But the Snipers aren’t known for their acquiescence in the face of overwhelming adversity and nor would they go down on this day without a fight… The Snipers received the ball and bashed the Wanderers back with fury. A short time later it was 4 rats on the field to the elves 9. Undeterred, Cheeky; the last remaining Gutter Runner; grabbed the ball and charged alone into the Wanderers’ backfield. Tackled by 5 elves, Cheeky managed to keep his feet and dodge out their range to score an unlikely equaliser.

The oppressive heat seemed to be taking its toll on the Wanderers’ Treeman, (or was it his lack of training?) who couldn’t stay upright, but despite this the Wanderers (now fielding 9 players) scored easily against the Snipers’ remaining 5 players to end the first half with a 2-1 lead.

The Wanderers received at the start of the second half, (now numbering 10 elves to the rats 5). The ball landed deep and their thrower; Orel; broke his ankle trying to fetch the ball. As rats bashed elves, Cheeky charged into the Wanderers’ backfield again, grabbed the ball and again evaded capture to score the equaliser.

The Wanderers, now numbering 8 (to the rats 5), and wondering why Nuffle had abandoned them, didn’t make the same mistake twice. At three quarter time they regained the lead 3-2.

Stronbranch the Treeman had had enough and retired for the match, citing the heat as his excuse, although it seemed to have more to do with the fact that he spent most of the time on the ground. The final quarter saw a mad scramble in the middle of the field. Vermin’, (who just so happens to be a Storm Vermin), unleashed a vicious strike on Orion, the Wanderers’ star Wardancer. The strike was enough to crack Orion’s skull and were it not for the Wanderers’ apothecary who rushed out onto the field, Orion would surely have died. Cheeky fetched the ball in the midst of the fray, but Orion, his head bandaged and seemingly in a frenzy of anger, leapt over a screening wall of rats and landed on Cheeky’s leg, splintering the bone. One of the four remaining rats, Abe, grabbed the ball and ran deep into the Snipers’ defense, desperate to keep possession. Then Vermin’ blitzed through the Wanderers’ defense and made a dash for the end zone. Abe ran down for the pass, but alas Vermin’ dropped it. The Wanderers responded by pounding Vermin’ into the turf before their catcher Tinnuroch fumbled picking up the ball. Abe, now the last rat standing, made a desperate lunge for the ball and took off for the end zone. Outnumbered 3 to 1, he was promptly brought down however, ending the Snipers’ last (vain!) hope for an equaliser.

The Snipers were lucky not to have lost by a bigger margin against a better team... Once again the match ended in brawls and much damage to the venue, which seems to be a recurring theme with Sniper matches...”