“The Ruffians got some extra training in before this match, and it seemed like it had been effective. The first half went according to the age old dwarves plan. Roll down the pitch sending broken bodies back to the dugout all the way. Despite a valiant Norse counter attack which saw Eoghan seriously injured and Riagan Ko'd the dwarfs crossed in T8 with only 4 Norse on the field. Unfortunately most of the damage was KOs and the Norse must have been packing some secret supply of bloodweiser. Despite a good first half the secon half began equal.

A perfect defence helped the dwarfs sure-up their lines, and even to break through, but when Faelan pressed into the backfield to pressure Harald it opened the opportunity for Martha to become the ballcarrier and she galloped down the field. Some good stomping mod pitch pressured her to score quickly and still it looked like the dwarf game-plan was intact for a five turn drive and a 2-1 win. Again Riagan remained KO'd and again the Norse made a far quicker return the the field. Faelan soon joined his fellow runner in the KO box and the Dwarfs were outnumbered. It got worse when they lost possession of the ball and Kegman took it up. Breannain's crunching block almost killed him an it seemed the draw at least was secure... But again fate took a hand. Aed blocked when he should have held his frenzy. His mis-step opened up the field for the Norse and they got the ball back to Harald to seal the win.

This definitely felt like the one that got away, but only bad players blame the dice and if I'm to improve I must look first to my own errors. Balle punished them with clinical efficiency, as good coaches will, and was humble in his deserved victory.

Twahnlows:

1 vote: Dunn, whose pass in the second half made the win possible

2 votes: Harald, for good positioning and pace to seal the victory

3 votes: Martha, for the unexpectedly clean hands and her second TD from as many games
”