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Postgame Press conference – Drakwold Thicketkeepers vs Court of Shu

Welcome, chroniclers, to the press conference. We appreciate you coming, I don’t imagine any of you would normally choose to visit Skavenblight! That was a great game from the squad, just the sort of aggression we like to see against those who transgress Kurnous’ creed.

In preparation for the tournament, we have spent a lot of time as a team discussing the harms the rat men cause, why they need to be visited with the vengeance of the forest, ensuring we were all in the right mindset to unleash our frenzy upon their vileness. I was concerned when we went out on the pitch to find, not rat men, but strange elementals moving like the winds of a cyclone. Fortunately, after the storms last winter, we are all fully aware of the needless destruction wind can wreak upon the forest.

We were more hesitant than I’d expect at the kick-off, but we made good, safe progress up the pitch throughout our starting drive. A few points I’d like to call out first of all: I’d like to thank the match officials for keeping a close eye on Hur Icano, and R’bin Tornado clearly hadn’t been appropriately briefed on which side they were on. And I’d just like to praise the whole squad for the physical game they played, truly channelling Kurnous in the run-up to the touch down.

The follow up from Ian on the confusion R’bin caused was exemplary, just the sort of ruthlessness we expect. Ian had a great game all round, and I’m not quite clear what the officials saw that lead to his sending off. We’ll review the CabalVision recording on that incident.

We were a bit lax on their return drive, if it weren’t for Nit-r O underestimating the length of Evangeline’s horns we would have been going in level at the half.

In the second half we did a far better job of containing the pocket, and then when they tried to break through Kodama landed a big hit whilst tracking back. Adelyn did a great job returning that for the touchdown.

Seeing state of the game, we decided to call a blitz and maintain the pressure. When Breezea broke through, I had complete confidence in Gabrielle to play her role as sweeper. She has developed into that role since joining the side, and it’s lovely to see the pride and joyous rage she brings to it. Turning that into another touchdown showed impressive focus from the whole squad.

I understand that the Court of Shu are suffering a number of injuries after the game, and obviously would like to extend our best wishes that they all make a full recovery. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank their coach for the game, and once again wish their team all of the best and future success, beyond this tournament, obviously! Selfishly, I do hope that their next opponent can take advantage of the players on IR and build a lead for Athel Loren in this tournament.

I would hope that we can keep up this form in our upcoming matches, and actually get some of the vengeance against the skaven that we travelled here for, rather than these strange air-spirits. I’d also hope that some of my Athel Loren colleagues will take some inspiration from our play – I’m surprised and disappointed to see the Midnight Meddlers in particular show up to this tournament underprepared and allow the Under-Nuln Bells to “seize-grab” a victory.
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