“Having to start without fearsome passing legend (cough) Darius Longarm was a bitter blow to the Athletic.

The Mighty Ren feared another classic Druchii suicide fest when Fabio Paim died on the first block of the game. They were four men down by their second turn and finished the half 1-0 down with two men standing.

However, the second half proved more entertaining. A desperate pass no run no pass no handoff, run-run-run touchdown brought the Dark Elves level before the real battle started.

At 1-1 the Orcs fumbled the pick-up, allowing the Druchii to sprint, block grab it and short pass it out of harm's way. Temporarily, the ball was soon back with the Orcs. But the Athletic didn't give up, harrying Atomika, and keeping them pinned in their own half with -2d blocks.

The Orcs broke to the half-way line in their sixth turn. The Druchii don't know how to play for the draw, and chose desperate blocking above more sensible tackle zone containment. A failed GFI gave Atomika the chance to beat the Athletic back with some of the exemplary blocking they used throughout the match.

One last, hopeful challenge faltered as John the Injured sprinted all the way to meet Argon, but failed the GFI needed to block. Argon made his sprint and scored the winner.

The fact that maxblb finished both halves laden with rerolls whilst The Mighty Ren was out of his before the half-way mark says a lot about the gulf in ability between the two coaches. If anything the elves were the luckier team.”