“I don't often play against chaos teams, but then I don't often see reasonably developed chaos teams without an over-generous supply of claw and mighty blow, so when the opportunity to play such a team arose, I thought it would make a nice change from being out-elfed by elves. There was the small issue of the ST6 chaos warrior and the AG5 beastsman, but hey, I can't have it all my own way.

The first drive was slow and steady, with the chaos lads protecting the ball and moving it quickly upfield. The ball-carrier and a couple of his mates parked just outside the endzone while the rest of the team set about reducing the number of elves on the field, and as the tree had taken root right at the start, there wasn't a lot I could do to stop them. Fortunately though, Nilvar was having no luck at all with his blocking. He was knocking me over all right, and even breaking that flimsy wood elf armour, but the injuries just weren't coming for him, and to add injury to insult, my wardancer killed his rookie warrior and the apo was predictably useless.

Finally, I managed to run a couple of players backwards and although I couldn't reach the ball-carrier, it was just enough of a threat to convince Nilvar to run in the score on turn 6, leaving me a whole two turns to score.

Which I did, via a long-bomb TD pass.

And then I did the same again at the start of the second half.

In reply, Nilvar mounted another quick assault that I wasn't able to stop, and though he finally found some chinks in my armour along the way, it was a case of too little, too late. I still had enough of a team to give my thrower plenty of downfield targets on my final drive, and though it did come down to the last turn, I was looking for anything but a 1 on a dodge, long bomb and catch for the score. And I still had rerolls.

I was very lucky. I've had worse batterings from much weaker teams, and though Nilvar's lack of tackle did save my actual players a few times, it was his inability to damage the journeymen that really cost him the match. Some casualties early on would have severely limited my receiving options, and would have allowed him to control the second half the way he did in the first.

Still, Sensation came away with their first win in a long time, which is nice, and there were some pleasing passing stats along the way. Also, after a pathetic showing in the first half (where he took root twice) Spiderplant came good in the second half, stayed mobile, and picked up two casualties and the MVP.

I have enough cash to buy a second catcher now, but I decided to hold off and see what happens in my next game. It's always nice to know you can afford to replace a wardancer if you have to!”