“BLOODER MATCH #5

Our Canetoads have some momentum, developing reasonably well, and in the right places. But now we are tested by a team which can out-muscle us in the Southern Wastes.

Objectives

1. SPP and more SPP. We want to get Mummies to BLOCK, get a Wight who can TACKLE, and time to get another Ghoul to BLOCK.

2. Don't let our skilled players die needlessly. Protect where possible. The SWL has not started, there are no points to be claimed here.

Goals

1. Mummies and Wights will do the heavy blocking for CAS based SPP. Ghouls will do scoring for TD based SPP.

2. Get zombies in the way of that Minotaur, and mark out those S4 blockers, letting our positional players do their work.

Plan

1. Play clean, and simple. Minimise incoming blocks, do not let opposition get clean shot on the ball.

2. Show more aggression on defence, disrupt the opposition with ghoul speed and zombies putting bodies on the line to tag out threats.

Match Report

We won the toss and sent ourselves in to bat first, keen to take advantage of 4x MB.

An early KO gave us material advantage, LOS moved up to take some space and protect Wights a little more. Re-roll not used for failed pick up.

But... this is the Southern Wastes... The Chaos show incredible aggression and base us up with superior S4 pieces. Minotaur flexes its S6 blitz into a mummy, but even frenzy 4db does not get the knock down. Now we have to fight our way out...

Mummy MB block removes the Minotaur, and we find the 2db to relieve pressure to the north flank. Zombies remain in situ to tag out S4 Blockers, a trade we make happily, although prematurely. It gives us time and space to press north.

We do not allow more than 1db against our vanguard, but even then the pow is found from a blitz. Still, ball is protected, basics done well.

Our cage is never left in base contact, we direct blitz to relieve pressure, and push vanguard ahead into defending players. By start of T7 we have an unscreened cage within critical distance, and only 3 openly mobile defenders ahead.

BLODGE Ghoul on corner cage was POW! blitzed and casualtied, but not lasting damage fortunately. The score goes to a young Ghoul now ready to skill up, and a Mummy and Wight take a casualty each. Successful drive.

Defence was outward Chevron to protect against basing from stronger opposition, and allow reactivity to pressure. We are also able to get the surf we wanted when defending the 2-turn from 1st half.

We put an unskilled ghoul forwards to provide some pressure, and base selectively now that we are up on material. Some base is to overwhelm, some is zombie to trade out blocker.

Pressure is good, mistakes forced, and capitalised on for defensive touchdown, but we take some damage and reset the LOS as underdog 8 vs 9. But abkle to defend the 2-turn touchdown.

CAS SPP to a Mummy, Wigtht and Ghoul, TD SPP to two ghouls (one ready to skill), and best of all the MVP to a Mummy. Sit down Zombies, you've had enough.


Learnings

1. BASICS

Just do the basics. Protect the ball by covering it, caging it and screening around or in front of it. Position ready to block away aggression. Take the 2db, and make the important blocks with block skill. Use re-rolls when the game hinges on it, or a significant trade off is available.

2. SACRIFICE

Give up blocks and take a beating if that is what is required to gain advantage elsewhere. Zombies, this is their role. Unskilled players, or any next best or available piece, can do this job if it makes life easier for the main protagonist ball carrier and its supporters.


Summary

Not all games will go like this is the Southern Wastes. Successful offensive and defensive drives, SPP in all the right places. For now we sip Champagne with our fans, which have achieved the legendary 7th Heaven limit.

”