“Northern Wastes League - Season 21

Match Report: Stone Boot Division, round 3

Northern Waste Hydras 1 - 1 Abyssal Syndicate


In an effort to manipulate the gambling odds on the games, these two teams played an early game, well before most other teams had even started their second game. Abyssal Syndicate was coming off a punishing loss to Waste Not, Want Rot, while the Northern Waste Hydras had a very short bye after their victory over Feral Berserkers. Early odds said that this game's outcome would mirror these two teams' meeting in the season 20, with a crushing victory by the Hydras accompanied by an orgy of blood.

The game started with the Syndicate dancing around the Hydras and darting in for a quick score. When the Hydras received the subsequent kickoff they proceeded to slowly march down field, knocking out several players, whilst focusing much of their attention on Glazzach, the troll of the Syndicate. Despite repeated attempts, Glazzach was a very effective road block as the Syndicate tried (and failed) to swarm D'Naer, the dark elf renegade, who ran in to score as time ran out.

The second half of the game began with a determined drive from the Hydras. Their march forward was slowed to a crawl until they managed to finally KO Glazzach, leaving the center open for their power players. D'Naer again broke free, leaving very few Syndicate players in a position to even attempt to stop him. D'Naer slowed up to run down the clock, under little threat from the opposing players, when the wizard the Syndicate had hired changed everything. A mighty fireball in the center of their defensive formation knocked down (or out) 3 of 5 players, and what few Syndicate players were available jumped into the fray. Despite the surprise attack, the Syndicate were unable to get the ball, failing on key blocks and dodges. The Hydras reclaimed the ball and looked like they had the game all wrapped up when Carnagegore, the chaos ogre, attacked Mazzik, the skaven blitzer. Despite being aided by two compatriots, the blocking Carnagegore was instead taken down by Mazzik. This shocking display distracted everyone, which allowed time to run out, leaving the score tied at one apiece.

Despite the huge number of blocks, the field was relatively bloodless, which allowed the Syndicate time to pressure the ball carrier. Even so, it was obvious that this game belonged to the Hydras, only the fluke block allowing the tie. Rumors abound that the Hydras have sworn vengeance for their bloodless humiliation.
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