“The Rainford Khemri were the first of Apollo’s teams to win a game, coincidentally against Willys Pollys, so this was something of a grudge match. Colcas was determined to make up for this defeat and Apollo wanted to prove that his previous victory was no fluke.

Rainford started off by earning an additional reroll, but then rather spoilt this by kicking the ball straight out of play, Colcas placing it lovingly into the arms of “Cowley Curse”. “Cowley” started off by blocking “Mummy Who’s the Daddy” but after a push back had to follow up with a frenzied roar, which unfortunately resulted in him falling to the floor, stunned. A pretty bad tactical error by Colcas in the very first turn resulting in the ball resting at the feet of “Mummy” and “Rag & Bone”. “Willybob Wilson” started by knocking “Bethicles” out with Rainford’s first block of the game before “O So Thin” ran to the ball but failed to pick it up. The ball bounced of the prone “Cowley Curse” to land in the middle of “Thin Boy Wilson”, “Mummy Who’s the Daddy” and “Quince Holes”.

Turn 2 started with a mighty blow from “Quince Holes”, killing “Thin Boy Wilson”, who luckily regenerated onto the reserves bench. Willys then covered the ball but made no attempt to pick it up. “O So Thin” started by fouling the unfortunate “Cowley Curse”, who’s large bulk ensured he was carted off to the knocked out tent with the referee seemingly looking the other way. “Willybob Wilson” then knocked out “Busy Bees” in what was turning out to be a fantastic start to the game for Apollo with 3 Willys players now knocked out. Good tactical play from Apollo then created a space around the ball, which “Throw me a frikin bone” declined to take advantage of, failing to pick the ball up. It was no disaster for Apollo though as it scattered away from all the Willys players into a free square.

A couple of uninteresting blocks from Willys started turn 3 and being short manned there was little Colcas could do apart from putting the ball in a tackle zone before ending his turn. Rainford started in the same manner as the previous 2 turns, “Who’s the Daddy” knocking “Ashton” out before “Rag & Bone” did the same to “Leonster”. This really was turning into a disaster for Colcas. The ball now free, “Throw me a frikin Bone” easily picked it up and ran towards the Willys endzone. A couple more blocks left Willys with only 4 players allowed to take their full movement allowance in the next turn, although only 2 could reach the ball carrier and both of these players needed to dodge to do so.

Turn 4 saw Colcas with very few options. “In” was chosen as the sacrificial lamb and sent on a suicide mission to knock the ball away from “Throw”. It all started smoothly with a successful dodge, but the blitz only resulted in a push back. Colcas accepted this result, worried a reroll would come up with the dreaded skull. “Sandra Lipotrim” then attempted to dodge towards “In” to provide back up, but failed miserable landing on the floor in a disgruntled heap. It was all too easy for Apollo who sent “Rag & Bone” to provide help to “Big Crusher Holt’s” blitz, which stunned poor old “In”. “Throw me a frikin Bone” then ran unhindered towards the Willys endzone, finishing 3 squares short but in no danger of being caught.

There was nothing Willys could do in turn 5 apart from make a few ineffectual blocks and the turn ended with “Throw me a frikin Bone” scoring the opening touchdown for Rainford.

Turn 6 saw 3 of the Willys players stay knocked out, leaving Willys with only 9 players, making an uphill task even harder. Just before kickoff, Willys were lucky enough to have a free move, each player promptly stepping out of his appropriate tackle zone. The Willys players flooded the bottom of the pitch, with “Makerfield” picking the ball up and running into cover. The Willys turn ended with all 9 players grouped together.

Rainford attempted to cover the ball carrier before “Big Jabber Summers” failed in a block attempt on “The Boy Joshter” who fended the big lummox off with his wheels of steel.

Sandra Lipotrim started turn 7 by seriously injuring “Rag & Bone” who luckily for Apollo managed to regenerate onto the reserves bench. Ball carrier “Makerfield” then ran towards “Busy Bees”, successfully handing the ball off before “Busy” charged towards the Rainford endzone in search of an unlikely touchdown. This charge was watched with awe by the crowd as “Busy” buzzed through his allotted movement before succeeding with 2 go for it attempts then making a third due to his sprint skill. A hushed silence was quickly replaced with a mighty roar as it became apparent that Willys had scored an amazing touchdown in only 2 turns. Perhaps the defining point was the ability to move out of all tackle zones during kick off, but nonetheless, Colcas had called a perfect play to tie the scores at 1:1. All of the Willys player’s recovered consciousness, meaning the teams were now even again, with everything to play for. A great end to the turn from Apollo meant space was made for “O So Thin” to slip through the Willys defence with the ball and into the Willys half, although he had no chance of scoring in the last turn of the half.

Turn 8 saw Willys players surrounding ball carrier “O So Thin” but failing to knock the ball out of his clammy hands. The final block of the turn saw “Quince Holes” managing to knock himself over and ending the turn for Willys. Rainford were unable to injure any of the Rainford players and the half ended all square at 1:1.

The start of the second half saw a Pitch Invasion from the crowd. This resulted in 6 of the Willys players and 4 of the Rainford players being stunned, giving the first turn a very strange feel. 2 successful blocks from Ranford left only 3 Willys standing before “Mummy Who’s the Daddy” picked the ball up and moved into the Willys half. There was very little Willys could do apart from roll over and the turn ended.

Turn 2 saw Rainford build a defence for ball carrier “Mummy” to hide behind, before he handed the ball off to “Sweet Cheeks Wilson”. Rainford ended their turn with a few tactical moves. Willys started by building a defensive wall between the endzone and the Rainford players before “Busy Bees” knocked himself over whilst attempting a block.

Rainford started turn 3 by creating an avenue for “Sweet Cheeks” to carry the ball through with some judicious blocking and ensured all Willys players were in tackle zones. Willys “In” used a reroll to dodge away from “Throw me a frikin Bone” and ended up directly between “Sweet Cheeks” and the endzone. “Ashton” then blocked “Sweet Cheeks”, but only succeeded in pushing him back towards the touchline.

Turn 4 saw “Sweet Cheeks” roll the dreaded Double Skulls, but a team reroll saw the result change to a push back. “Sweet Cheeks” luck then ran out as he failed to dodge out of his tackle zone, falling prone to the floor, with the ball landing slap bang in the middle of “Ashton”, “Throw me a frikin Bone”, “In” and “Big Crusher Holt”. “Cowley Curse” lumbered up towards the ball before “In” blocked “Big Crusher”, knocking the big lump over before Colcas brought the turn to an end.

“Where De Go” started turn 5 by blocking “Ashton” and pushing him back into the ball, but unfortunately for Apollo, this meant the ball was now out of his players reach. “Throw me a frikin Bone” rectified this by blocking “In” into the ball, it landing at the lucky “Throw’s” feet. “Sweet Cheeks Wilson” then stood up and moved towards the ball, successfully picking it up and stepping back towards the Willys endzone before ending the turn. Colcas cursed his luck, as at this important time, “Cowley Curse” decided he wanted no part of this turn and just stood and roared a massive blow to the Willys. Colcas then ended the turn, leaving “Sweet Cheeks Wilson” only 1 dodge away from scoring the match winning touchdown. Colcas was left to rue the order he had played his turn as it meant he had been unable to block the Rainford ball carrier and had in effect, pulled a Polly.

Turn 6 saw “Throw me a frikin Bone” stunning “In”, leaving “Sweet Cheeks” in the clear to score the Rainford second and potentially match winning touchdown. Willys turn 6 saw a few blocks creating space for “The Girls” to charge through and deep into the Rainford half. This meant if a good pick up and throw from “In” would leave Willys close to another quick touchdown. Unfortunately for Colcas, “In” failed to pick the ball up, bringing the turn to an end with a torrent of abuse emanating from the Willys dugout.

Turn 7 saw Apollo taking no risks, marking “The Girls” and ensuring there were no free Willys players. Willys started with “Busy Bees” stunning “Big Crusher Holt”, before more blocking created space for “In” to throw the ball into, but “In” again failed to pick the ball up, ruining Colcas’s plans yet again.

The final turn of the game could have no bearing on the game. “Thin Boy Wilson” attempted a block and succeeded only in knocking himself out. “In” then decided to pick the ball up when there was nothing he could do with it. His attempted pass failed anyway and the game was over.

And so concludes Apollo’s second win against Colcas, Rainford again beating Willys and in turn becoming something of a bogey team for Willys. It has to be said that coach Apollo played a tactically astute game, and only conceded in freak circumstances. A fully deserved win for Rainford, much to Colcas’s disgust.
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