“NWFL Season IV, Rd 6

The Suckers took the field with trepidation. With only 12 able bodies, just 3 vampires and facing one of the premier 1st half teams with LOADS of mighty blow, guard and tackle, the team was, quite simply...nervous.

But they gave it a go regardless. The Paintreeots heavily overcommited on defense following a bobbled pickup, and a timely hypnogaze by Asmodai and a short pass by Kevostoc saw Vostoc with the ball just a few squares short of the endzone and looking good.

But the CD team wasn't about to give up. They made dodges. They made go for its. They made blitzes. They made fouls. Their surfed players were politely escorted back to their dugout by the friendly fans. They KO'd the ball carrier and Die On Branch, their blodge hobgob grabbed the ball deep in their end. The Suckers pressed a desperate attack, hoping to keep the ball pinned deep. But the New England team stymied every attempt at Die On. Finally, it was do or die. The Paintreeots weren't quite able to form a solid cage, and Asmodai had an opening which he promptly exploited! Pow! The ball landed in two tackle zones but that's not enough to keep Asmodai out! He scooped up the ball but was one square short of the TD. The CDs knew what to do and they got the job done. They flattened Asmodai but couldn't get the ball. Asmodai still had a chance. Could he emulate the late Count of Counting and pull off a miracle play? Yes! Yes he could!

Half ended with the Suckers up an improbable 1-0.

The second half saw the Sucker team, already down players, begin to lose more. But they gamely pressed a counter attack to the CDs drive and Chump popped the ball free from Die On after both remaining vamps peeled open the 'cage'. Gobolov got the ball and passed downfield to Token, who was streaking deep. Despite all odds, things looked in hand for the Suckers.

The Paintreeots had other ideas however. Veteran Bull Alias Bombas managed to get back and flatten Token. Once again Die On scooted back to retrieve the ball. Despite the Suckers best efforts (down by 5 players!), they were unable to stop the CD team from equalizing on Turn 15.

Coach Ironcollar after the game:

"This was a tough match to watch. We started at a disadvantage vs. a quality team, and had to endure Nuffle's curse for much of the game. Yeah, we got really lucky and scored on our final turn of the first half, and nearly scored in the second. But those damn Paintreeots always made the moves they needed to keep the pressure on. We were within a gnat's butt of taking this one, but the Paintreeots apparent pre-game sacrifice to Nuffle won out in the end, and they managed to tie it up. It's tough to fight so hard vs a superior team just to see Nuffle screw you over and over. And over.

Now get out of my way. I need a drink."

”