“Opening game for Season VII of the OWCC saw what has become a traditional Game 1 match up, between the League heavyweights and two perennial post-season threats. Almost 100 blocks, 51 Expats to 48 GoldLords, it was to be no-quarter the whole game, and in addition the G-Lords hired a "friend" into their mix, star bombardier Boomer.

The Expats chose to receive, and a heavy Rain started that would last all game and would prove to have a definite effect on the outcome. By chance the Kick landed all the way in the endzone, and the Expats took 2 Turns to get the ball near midfield - and on the ground behind a screen, having failed twice to put it in the hands of an Ag 3 skink. Boomer's Turn 1 bomb had dropped 2 Sauri and allowed some penetration, but his early Turn 2 effort was Intercepted by the Krox, who dropped it in front of himself and knocked down 2 dwarves (and an already-down teammate). This opened the door for the Expats to push up just to (MA 11) scoring range - and after a Turn 3 perfect bomb failed to knock down the ball carrier, to change sides of the field Turn 4. Good pressure meant no more stalling, so the Expats scored to end Turn 5, a turn earlier than they would have preferred, leaving the G-Lords 4 Turns to reply (if now without Boomer, out banned).

But the start of that drive saw some bad luck on the LoS for the dwarves, starting with a deep Kick by the new Expat Kicker. A thrown rock stunned one MB/Guard. Both-Down on the Wrestle Saurus left a 2nd dwarf prone. Another Both-Down on the Blitz left 2 of their better players marking the sideline-side of the Frenzy Saurus. A failed Dauntless roll on the Krox saw a 1d skull RR'd to a third Both-Down, no effect - and the final 1d Block skulled to put a 3rd lino on the ground. This opened the door for the Sauri to put pressure all around, both surrounding the LoS and deep, marking the screen. Turn 6, a do-or-die Ag 3 dodge got them in position for a Dauntless Blitz which also succeeded, allowing them to sandwich the ballcarrier between 2 Guards near midfield - but the last GFI snaked, putting the ball on the ground.

With no RR, the Expats failed the 3+ pickup for the easy(?) score, but the G-Lords, also out of RR, failed their 4+ pickup. The Expats then succeeded, but the handoff failed for the score - and, after an Ag 4 skink was BH'd, that was the half, Expats 1-0.


During half-time the Dwarves must have had a blocking clinic by Coash U, because the Pows started raining down. The Kick went to the sideline on the 6, and first block the Expat Break-Tackle/Guard was KO'd - but a (clever? brave? foolish? desperate?) tactical use of the Apo kept him on the field. This momentarily confused the Dwarves, who then Both-Downed to no effect on both the Krox and the Blitz - and left their +MA Troll Slayer in surf position within range of the Frenzy Saurus. He escaped that fate, and Turn 2 the dwarves caged up (for the first time!) near midfield, crossing the LoS Turn 3, and meanwhile BH'ing and KO'ing Skink #'s 2, 3 & 4.

Turn 4, they managed to KO the Frenzy Saurus, but the cage became a screen, and the Expats St 5 made a single-GFI 2d Blitz despite a Guard to pop the ball loose. It took a great Lizard bounce, but the RR'd 3+ pickup failed, leaving the ball on the sideline. A brief, chaotic ruck ensued, 11 Dwarves vs. 4 Sauri, the Krox and 2 Skinks. After a 12-scatter bounce where there were 8 chances for different players to roll a 6 and catch the loose ball, a nearby Ag 4 Skink made the pickup, and fell well back toward the Expats' endzone to end Turn 5 - mostly safe, but uncomfortably close to the Dwarves tying score.

Turn 6, the G-Lords saw a chainpush to get their St 4 marking the ballcarrier. The Expats used their diminishing team to screen an area for the Ag 4 skink, who dodged away, but Sure Feet snaked and he faceplanted for a BH, ball all alone at midfield. Turn 7, the G-Lords risked a solo Dauntless Frenzy blitz to 1d a screening Saurus into a Guard for a followup 2d, which opened the door for a Runner to try for a pass - the Dodge was RR'd, the 2 GFI's good, the 4+ pickup succeeded, and the missed 5+ throw scattered back onto the St 4 Blodge receiver - who dropped the (innacurate) 5+ catch on the 4 yard line.

Turn 8, the Krox boneheaded to decline the no-roll assist, so an Ag 4 skink double-dodged thru TZ to get there, and the Guard Saurus - the same one who had been Apo'd to stay on the field - Broke Tackle to make the blitz - Pow, ball out of range, game over.



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