“Grotty Little Tournament VIII - Round 4 (Round 1 of Main Draw):

First block of the game, we suffered a RIP to our guard blocker and that set the tone for the first half. We struggled badly all half - mostly unable to even knock anyone down...when we did, we would fail to break armor...pile on - and still fail to break armor. Then Aidan got badly hurt as well...we used our apothecary - but this was bad. Four turns into the game and we already have suffered 2 CAS and only inflicted 1 KO!! There was some yelling and hollering - what the heck were these elves thinking! Well, enough was enough and we finally took out an elf (and a good one - ST 4 guard lineman) - the elf apoth failed and it was a glimmer of hope. However the rest of the half continued to be an epic fail. Turn 8 blocking was more fail (no removals)...so second half started with us down to 10 players - and the pro elves still having a bench (12 players left).

Nothing was going right and it continued on the kickoff with the elves getting a perfectly placed short kick + blitz kickoff roll. ST 4 AG 5 catcher grabbed the ball and was caged up during the blitz free turn. And that was that. Most of the fans sighed and stomped away...it was over! We managed to get Jason next to the ballcarrier...but ST 4 AG 5 blodge leaper...there were many ways to get free and he indeed was chainpushed free. The game looked like a 0-2 defeat.

Then SPLAT. The elf guard catcher that was such a pain all game failed a dodge and fell on a sharp rock (nope - i have *no* idea who may have placed that there!). The dwarves stopped failing so much - and made the blocks they needed to free Asher - Jump Up allowed him to blitz the ballcarrier. 1d with dauntless (had to RR the 3+ dauntless), but got a 1d pow/push and tackle took down the star catcher...and SPLAT...Asher piled on and the catcher was carted off the field. The ball was loose and in a span of 1/2 turn 2 of the best elves were done for the game (and next)...John Little then dodged through traffic and grabbed the ball. He lost it for a moment - and the elves had 1 chance to recover - but failed the pickup - as all the dice abandoned them. The dwarves smelled blood - and exploded into the remaining elves - crunching them one after another - only a few line elves remained and a 1 skill blitzer.

After we tied it up 1-1, we won the toss in OT, but we still had a squad of 10 vs a demoralized and leaderless elves. Even without their stars - they charged again and again - but it was over.

A harrowing experience once again - as our last desperate attempt worked and that allowed us to recover from the blitz on the kickoff...if we had failed that blitz - then there would have likely been no more chances against the elves.

Well played - and I am sure we will meet again!”