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1. 1. OWCC Season 9, Game 1 (of 5)

The opening game of regular season, and since the traditional opening-day match vs. the Goldlords was subverted by a Royal Pardon, we face the larger of 2 Nurgle teams in Albion.

(Replay currently unavailable - locks up at Step 2796/2996.)

Expats won the toss, but other than that things looked bad to start. t.i. induced Star St 4 Chainsaw Max Spleenripper (held in reserve for 2nd half), and their one Dirty Trick Card was used immediately - Kicking Boots. With now 15 on the bench the Expats needed to take out 5 to force the Saw on Turn 8, and the Expats' first Block was double-skulls, and 5 MB dice on Rotters failed to find even a Stun. Bleak indeed.

But the Claw of Nurgle was just as weak, and then the Expats found their bash, and then some as Nurgle after Nurgle started leaving the field - 2 permanently (including a Warrior niggled) and 4 KO'd (including the Claw and Beast), then the DP/Kick Pesti fouled out. t.i did draw blood, RIP'ing the Guard Krox mid-half (Apo'd back on the bench) and knocking out a couple skinks. Still, with only a half-dozen or so on the field, t.i. was soon corralled and the Expats had the luxury to handoff to a rookie Saurus Tutn 6 for a skill Turn 8, 1-0.

Turn 8, only 2 Nurgle KO's woke up (leaving the Claw and Beast sleeping), exactly 1 too few to keep the Saw off the field, and his Blitz failed to crack the Krox - half ends 1-0.

2nd half both the Claw and Beast slept on, but with 10 vs. 10 on the field t.i. caged up midfield, and was conservative and patient, changing sides of the field as the Expats pushed back on one and then the other. But they also had started to find their bash, KO'ing a Saurus, fouling out one Skink and watching another dodge himself into the injury box. But they lost some too, and only had 1 man advantage, and that started to feel pressure from the remaining Sauri and Krox. Turn 5 (or so?) the Expats had a chance at the ballcarrier, but the Krox-block to clear the path found only Foul Appearance, and with only 1 RR they waited for another chance. That came the next turn, as the Wrodger found a Pow and popped the ball free, and an Ag 4 skink recovered and GFI'd to get clear with a screen stopping most of the Nurgle from joining the fun. Next turn t.i's down ballcarrier stood, dodged and found a Pow, but a bad bounce discouraged any recovery attempt. Turn 7 Expats recovered again, and this time survived the blitz & RR, and dodged away for the T16 score and 2-0 win.”