“Our First match
Coach Bullroarer stands upon an old soap box before speaking,"Well boys, while i would liked to jump strait to the Major leagues, the commissioner's Panel has turned down our requests for admittance in the current GLT. something about an entry fee or some such fiddle faddle. They told me, in very polite bureaucratic legalese, that we need to go crawl back to the badlands or wherever we came from and win some matches and get some fame before trying in the big time."
"That's the bad news. The good news is i was able to get us an entry to one of the side tournaments in the fields of Altdorf, sponsored by the Emperor's department of extracurricular sports and entertainment. Something called a Royal Rookie Rumble. Apparently the Emperor is a fan of Blood Bowl. To pass the time between major tournaments, he watches Cabalvision recordings of up and coming new squads battling it out. And whatever the emperor watches, so does everybody else. I'm told there is even a Human league, though i doubt we will travel that far yet. The important thing to remember is we to win. and not just win, but REALLY show our stuff. show those naysayers and old farts that we can Win at blood bowl. Not hit those showers. Our first match is in the morning!"
As the sun rises, two teams step out onto the field. One, a rotting collection of recently animated corpses lorded over by two VERY large Mummies being directed by a vampire Necromancer, and the other; our very own collection of Human (and Dwarf) players. With a flip of a coin, the emperor's face spirals, end over end. "HEADS" calls coach Bullroarer.
the coin lands, with the emperor smiling up at the diminutive Halfling. "we will receive, Ref"
As Both teams line up, Kenichi fills Coach Bullroarer's Mug. "Looks like its gonna be a good day, Boss."
"Indeed, It does look that way." close to 15,000 Spectators are in attendance, with many of the HPL coaches showing up in the Box seats.

The Undead team Kicks the ball deep into the War Gods field, as well as an angry Orcdidas Corporate war boss with a strong arm Launches a stone at Nero, stunning him when it struck the Player square in the forehead.
The first few seconds rewards coach bullroarer in both his choice for quarterback and Full Back. a Quick Pass to Licorice by Brae followed up by several zombies and a Mummy being disrupted, one for some time, by the sheer physical violence inflicted upon them by the eager War Gods. Rushing towards the sidelines, Eric Sprints towards the End zone.
the 15....
the 10....
the 5.....
the 5....
"WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING!" screams Coach Bullroarer.
"I've seen this tactic before, with other teams, Boss" Kenichi calmly states, matter of factually.
"they call it a stall tactic, were the Offensive team just hold the ball near the goal line while the clock spins down. leaving the opposing team less time to score in there own drive. I can be a risky play, but the rewards can be worth it. Trust the team, Boss. they know what there doing."
"Harrumph....that not how the teams in Mootland play, that's for sure."
The next few minutes are a Huge pit fight where several players on both teams are either knocked out or their magics are disrupted for several minutes. the War Gods Sweep around and reform protecting the Laughing and cartwheeling Eric Stevens.
several more minutes pass, the War Gods begin to waver as the massive Mummies and other shambling undead close in around the team. As Klaus, The Young wolf of the north, fends off a blow from a Mummy, he screams,"FOOL, Score already!"
"Awww, i was just getting to my new moves for winning!" Jests Eric
A Dark glower is Klaus's only reply.
"Fine....."
Eric steps in with a hop.

Score 1-0 War Gods with 3 minutes to go in the first half.
"Kenichi, your in. Both Dirk and Braden are still out cold, one by that Crazy Mummy in the blue armor."
"got it, boss. I'll take him down."
Just hold them up for as long as you can, thought Bullroarer. Just hold....
the Undead Show a surprising amount of agility in response to Brae's Shallow kick, with the ball spinning into the awaiting arms of a zombie. As the minutes Tick by, the Mummies Hit Nero so hard his helmet is sent flying into the stands. but the Necromancer is sweating profusely, and the ball holding zombie crumples, his dark energies expended for the moment.
We held....At the half Coach Bullroarer checks on the condition of the team, particularly Nero.
Doc Poods stands over Nero. "he'll be fine, coach. Just Banged up a Bit, but he is done for today."
"hows the rest of the squad?" Asks Coach, nervously.
"Everybody else is fine....except the water boy. He got a nasty punch to the throat in the last 15 seconds of the half. He should also be fine, but you may want to reconsider letting him back on the field in the future. Gotta have somebody to keep you mug full of fine quality Lemonade, Boss"
Coach nods, "I'll find another man, or anyone else, as soon as possible."
Beginning of the second half, the War Gods line up Across the murderous looking Undead in blue armor. They look to be out for blood, today.....

Brae, apparently the teams kicker as well as Quarterback, kicks another shallow kick when a gust of wind carries the ball closer to the Midfield Line.
in the first few seconds the Undead knock out both Braden and Dirk, Pushing up the Middle to secure the ball at the 55 yard line (you do know the blood bowl field is 120 yards long with a 5 yard wide end zone)
the next few minutes are a blur as klaus is knocked out by a Mummy's Mighty blow and the ghoul ball carrier falls back to look for receivers, apparently for a Pass.
Four minutes in, Doc Poods Spots a weak point in the Offensive line punching a hole for both him and Anatole to rush through. Sensing the oncoming pressure to the ball, the Necromancer loses focus but for a moment, but that's all the War Gods need. Four War Gods, including the Whooping Eric Chase the Ball like homing Pigeons. The Ghoul Tosses the ball away, as Inana is knocked out by a Mummy.
With the Grace of an Elf, Brae, the Pass happy Dwarf, swoops in on the ball as the blitzer corps clears a space for him to launch to the already sprinting Eric.
Brae, dodges, Picks up, and accurately launches......A perfect pass to the sticky fingered Eric who glides into the end zone just as the third quarter ends.
War Gods 2-0 Lifestealers
the Worn and tired War Gods line up once again in front of the Massive Mummies and their vicious Cohort. Just hold for 8 more minutes.....

Brae once again kicks the ball, but farther and off course, revealing how tired the team is at this point. The undead quickly push towards the sidelines, catching the War Gods off guard.
As the Wight, holding the ball, rushes as fast as the necromancer can make him go, Ares and doc Rally the War gods to form a new line of scrimmage in the wide zone at the thirty yard line.
but the War gods are too tired and the Undead Plow there way through after Eric is knocked down and Doc Poods is stiff armed by the ball wight. With an angry roar, a mummy swiped brae, bruising some ribs, as the undead Stalk into the end zone, with thirty seconds on the clock.
the remainder of the game is more of an afterthought, though Dirk does get a last minute boot to a downed zombie and doc Poods tosses the ball to Eric.
Final Score
War Gods 2 - 1 Lifestealers
Casualty count
War Gods 2 - 3 Lifestealers”