“That was ... bruising.

First three turns were awful - one player after another being sent to the injury box, and Tasha would have been dead instead of injured if it hadn't been for the soothing hands of the apo.

Thankfully, a combination of stalling and going for a block with no rerolls on turn 8 rather than taking the easy score meant it was only 0-0 at the half. And then I was kicking.

Second half I played better than the first half. OK, the second half was also when my opponent scored, but by getting some tackle blitzers up in his face at least it made him make an effort, rather than just saunter up the pitch. Didn't make a total mess of the second half but the ball was never going to get to the other end of the pitch.

Strangely, if the dice weren't loving me today, the crowd was - two lots of cheering fans, two surfed players left unscathed, and 40,000 gold more for the loser than the winner. Must drink coffee before my next match.”