“Another battle of the cellar dwellers for the final game of what has been a disappointing season for both sides. Stalingrad's White Stallions and the Red Star Strikers had both lost four matches, but were both coming off confidence building draws in the previous round. There was extra incentive for the Stallions, who needed only to draw to ensure that they avoid bottom spot at the Reds' expense.

The Stallions received, but the Reds sent a message early, letting the Norse side know they would not be intimidated. With the ball in the air, the Dwarves incredibly reshuffled their defence and had all eleven players on the line of scrimmage. Before long, they had kncoked two players out and had another four stunned on the turf. Meanwhile, Alkor Torminlev had the ball. Looking ahead though, Torminlev could see no immediate way through the Dwarven wall. The Norse resistance had a minor victory as they bashed Karl Marx from the field. Still, they looked bereft of confidence as Torminlev backtracked and ran sideways. Eventually Lavrenti Beria caught up with him and, as he is wont to do, smashed him to the deck. Vyacheslav Molotov had possession briefly, until Oleg Blockin decided he should not. The bounce fell rather fortuitously to Beria, who cradled the ball securely in his arms. The immovable Beria dished off to Klaus Fuchs, who looked clear but ran into a problem by the name of Boris Nuriev, who hit him with a fantastic blitz. In the shadow of halftime, it was all Fuchs could do to regain his feet, grab the ball and hand it to Kliment Voroshilov, with the Troll Slayer finishing nicely to give the Reds a one nil lead.

After a brief interlude, the Reds received for the second half. The kick hit Voroshilov, who took the ball and inserted himself inside a Dwarven cage. Meanwhile the Dwarves reduced their opponents' numbers. While many analysts thought this would go on until the end, Voroshilov had other ideas and sprinted over the line with the ball to make it two nil with plenty of time on the clock.

After some bad fumbling by Torminlev, the Reds looked to have a chance to go three nil up. It was suggested that this was Voroshilov's motivation for scoring so quickly, with no Red Star Striker ever scoring a hat trick. It was Voroshilov's stumble, however, which allowed Torminlev to recover and nail a long pass to Oleg Demiev to inch the Stallions closer.

Voroshilov's hunger could not be denied as he called for a touchback after a bad Stallion kick to restart. He charged down the flank but was struck down by Torminlev. Despite a great effort by Torminlev to nail a long bomb to tie the match, time was against the Stallions, who found themselves down two to one when the final siren sounded.

Finally, a win for the Reds. Their first win of the season lifts them from last to sixth, though the seventh placed Steve of the Dead have a game in hand. Still, they have avoided the bottom of the ladder, and after losing their first three straight, it is somewhat of a moral victory. Still, it's been a disappointing season. Klaus Fuchs and leonid Brezhnev are playing injured, whilst the side has lost experience and power with Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong no longer donning the uniform. The drop back to Conference will give the Strikers a chance to regroup and plan where they go from here.

Twahnlow Votes
3 - Alkor Torminlev

Made some bad mistakes, but also made some truly inspired plays, including the pass that gave the Stallions their only touchdown.

2 - Oleg Blockin

Blocked all day and caused a casualty.

1 - Boris Nuriev

The Stallions veteran is an out and out star. Always dangerous.”