“Joe got pretty well bent over by Nuffle on this one.

The threatening blizzard cleared up on the opening kick and the Ruffians began their drive down the left flank. Things were going well until double skulls opened up a chance for the Pact. Their wizard knocked down the ball carrier and Dark Mystic was able to scoop the ball and pass it to a waiting receiver down field. Only a desperate rearguard harry by Caderyn stopped Xotica from opening the score, but when by the time he prised the ball losse Fáelan the Fleet had recovered as well and was able to use his pace to ensure the Dwarfs went to the half 1-0 up (despite the incredible blitz from Tushk'nol).

On defence the dwarfs put new boy Breasal the Brave on the line-of-scrimmage, the better to prove his name. So distracted was he by the Big Guys that he didn't see the block coming from Werdnark. It was an error which would have been fatal if not for the hard work of the Ruffians' medical team. Xotica sought to press the advantage but Dark Mystic was a little too keen, allowing Cadeyrn's desparate dodge / gfi blitz to knock him down, and even after recovering the ball and trying to shift play to the opposite flank he was exposed again and Riagán MagOg knocked him down and stole the ball. From there the Ruffians ran in their second TD and felt they had secured the victory, but with a spot in premier XXXXI still possible they hurried back to posiion for the kick.

Things began well in the Ruffians' attempt to score a third, they put a lot of pressure deep in the backfield of Xotica and in the final turn were able to pry the ball loose and get Riagán into the endzone to recieve a pass. Unfortunately although Bréanainn the Noble was able to dodge away from his marker and collect the ball under pressure he wasn't able to get himself in a position to pass and the game ended with his failed dodge.

1 vote: Werdnark - for his hard work amongst the Dwarf lines throwing blocks and doing everything he could to kill Breasal.

2 votes: Tushk'nol - for the amazing blitz that almost stopped Faelan in the first half and for being a thorn in my side, tying up several dwarfs throughout the second half.

3 votes: Dark Mystic - for the ball handling, his first pass which nearly opened my up completely in the first half and for always being a threat that I had to be aware of.”