“There was an uncharacteristic buzz in the warmup room before this match. Usually the Wraithlords are deathly silent going into a game, but not this one. Too many big matches had finally thrown them into the jaws of the CTL when they really ought to have been concentrating on team building.

By the time they entered the stadium though, all was quiet. On the surface at least. Beneath their cold exterior the wraithlords knew this was going to be a big one and they'd really have to dig deep for it. But the battle of nerves had already spooked them. Except for Trojan Gift - for the second match in a row he'd turned up frenzied and completely unperturbed by the size of the opposition.

The first half saw them overdo everything. They threw some mighty blocks! But alas, always on the wrong orc. When it really counted, the pressure got to them and despite making it at least an interesting tussle, they really underachieved. The half time siren deservedly saw them fail to drop the single orc standing between the wraithlords and a try, but ... going into the second half at just 1-0 down there was yet a chance to make amends, expunge those nerves and hit their usual form!

Unfortunately the strange flow of events continued. The hit hard and dodged like champions when it didn't matter and wore lead feet when it did! And then the apothecary showed the pressure he too was under and failed when it mattered the most.

That brought about the end of the resistance the elves could throw at the orcs. Despite the struggle, they at least showed they had the potential...on a better day and at some even odds they'll be back!

Kudos to the Eagleslayers - it was an uncharacteristically clinical performance by the orcs!

Deathwish votes:

2pts - Rivalin Nosesmasher. Didn't do much. Caught the ball, hung on to it for 7 turns and then handed off! Very hard to get it off the bugger with those bulging biceps and no guard assists on the wraithlords!

1pt - Caratacus Gobbothrottler. For that fatal blow!
”