“NWBL: S8 - Bronze - Stannum League Round #4

The winds from Nuffle's backside wafted over the pitch and into the face of our opponents.

Rat Ogre DEAD on opening block of the game, hurt by the both down. We had plans to use our Dirty Orc to foul him at some point, but instead he got the passive CAS.

Dirty Orc actually took two CAS despite only throwing one block this game. Funny. One was a gutter, which was another important removal.

Much luck was had on this game, it cannot be denied. We even had blitz! event in our favour, although the cunning coach Arcayn had set up well against it.


Learnings

1. GUTTERS

Well.. what amazing players. We were fortunate that the wrestle gutter was unlucky in the sack attempt, diving into our cage. I look back to it: 3+3+2+5+ is actually 40% chance.

Together with the wrestle -2db it comes to 15%, but still, a game winning move if it comes off.

They also ghosted through our defensive line to score, but I look back on it and it is actually not that bad. 3++ pass with 2+ catch. OK. Then 4+4+2+ dodges with dodge. OK. Together with re roll it is 40%. Not bad at all. Wow.


2. MB FAKE SKILL

18 blocks from MB... 0 CAS... this is a game plan that is poor. Playing to variance. They should block, but only due to having block skill and limiting turn over.

If MB comes off, great. But the focus should be blocking for push, and space and territory.


3. FOUL

It is a goal of ours to foul more. We are well behind on this statistic, and trying to get better at it. Our fouls were well calculated, and on a problem, either due to position or player threat (gutter).


4. PRESSURE & POSITION

First Half T5 I make a small mistake. Incredible pressure forces us to roll many dice into the meat cube. We then could have moved line orc to 1-on-1 mark the gutter.

Instead we also make contact with another rat which can block away, opening diagonal for blitz on ball. Could have played a little tighter to minimise potential failure (or opponent success). We allowed a 20% chance to sack ball. Lucky again it did not come off.


5. BLOCKS

My opponent did something really nice at end of 1st half, and something I've suffered before and am just starting to recognise. I leave a player in 1-on-1 contact, with support to deny the assist.

Coach Arcayn then blitzes away the support player, to open space for assist, so the 1-on-1 marking player can be hit. Must be careful of this, and also use it myself in future.


Summary

When a rat ogre dies first turn on a self inflicted block, Nuffle has intervened. The way the rats carved the orcs on offence, we are lucky this game was not a loss.

Block for position, not CAS. And respect the gutters.
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