“The wind was calm, the air fresh and the sun shining as the Gladiators took the field in a game that was to decide their season. The crowd still swelling through the gates into the stands as the opening kick sailed through the air and fell, precariously, by the sideline of the Cowboys.

A violent interruption ended the serenity of the scene as Bilar was felled by a blow on the line of scrimmage, Hellebronn, the Cowboy's hero, and vanquisher of the first Gladiator to leave the field - the medics did not attend, seeing the wound and believing that it would require the rest of the game for them to attempt to fix.

Swift came the reply, and from Swift it came, knocking one of the fell Dark Elves out on the counter attack as the Gladiators swarmed, hoping to force the Cowboys into an error, or press them back. Alas, the enigma, the subtle blade, the experienced and exceptional Kool was on the ball by this stage, and spotting a gap, he shot downfield and elected to score, leaving the Gladiators trailing in his wake, but with time to reply.

So to Swift then again! The Gladiators see their foes, and recognize the threat. A quick offense gathered and a hasty procession down the field, harried and pressured constantly. The Silver Bullet though, made daylight and darted through, pausing short of the line to run the clock down, hoping to deny the Cowboys the chance to surmount one more drive of their own...

Fell magic strikes!

Who could deny the source? With Rakarth on the field? Swift, one minute standing, clear and untouched, the next, crumpled on the ground and surrounded by the Cowboys with the ball tantalizingly out of reach on the ground, and the endzone in sight! But the Gladiators were not to be denied. Like a bolt aimed true, Swift blitzes Rakarth off, picks up the ball, and dodges, elegantly right in the corner, home for the score...

The Cowboys have possession again, just before half time - Hellebronn, pushed forward, forth from the scrimmage, carried aloft on the waves of enthusiasm from his team-mates, bears down on the Gladiator's line, weaves, dodges, and... trips, falling, spills the ball as he gets to the line, and leaves the score, 1-1, at half time.

The game rejoined, battle recommenced, Moonbeam immediately dispenses with a Cowboy off the line, the Gladiators in the face of a strong Cowboys defence and threatened by a deep kick, hold for one turn before a slip by Thorn allows them to form a midfield structure and pass the ball to who else? Swift. Some turns of blows traded and not much else, Swift creates a gap and, again, darts through, cover comes, and critically so - Rakarth is kept out of the play, and without his ability in the tackle, Swift remains standing despite attention from Hellebronn. Considering their fortunes already pressed, and favouring their chances on defence, the Gladiators elected to score...

Which turned out to be an error, the Cowboys began a painful procession to the line - Doom sunk the boot in, Rakarth forced Sidewinder off the field, and the Gladiators trump card, their own high magic, blew cold, literally, and in the space of minutes they were undone. All that was left was for Kool to score, and Rakarth, dangerous to the last, to level blow that left Yvrace momentarily grounded.

2-2 indeed, the Gladiators may have earned a tie, but it feels like a loss, as they have to watch their old foes celebrate on their own field...”