“The people are flocking away from Snorriheim in droves. There seems to be a curse laid over the town and the stadium is looking like some ancient monument to another time. The last five games here have seen one of the local lads blown away by a block thrown right off the whistle! And the Vanguard round off the five in style, Frost Warden - Snorriheim's only Twahnlow Fist Winner - killed by the first block.

And with the media swarming around the spectacle, there was no chance for the apothecary to cure him. There won't be another chance for him either - it appears Snorri has kicked him out of town for his recent failures!

Still, the lads found some pluck and got to it, quickly running in a try and looking like sneaking a second until they found themselves short at the last and most crucial juncture. But the casualties kept coming, another one of their mates carted off in a coffin, and yet another badly hurt. And running into a perfect defence late in the half, the elves only just managed to scramble for the try, but once again fell short on the line as Hopp'n M'Broomstick had a rare moment of mortality and tripped on the line just as the siren blew! 1-1 at the half.

Still more casualties second half, and their only other tackler was also carted from the field after failing to dodge - the muscleheads on the other team were just too big. But the six remaining elves managed to find some magic as they took advantage of some weaknesses in their opponent's line and ran in a try against the flow to take the lead 2-1. It was a very gratifying try, particularly with the prospect of hanging on for the draw to salvage some pride.

Unfortunately more knockouts ensued as their opponents easily ran in a try, but with just two turns left and still six elves on the field, the Vanguard hoped to hang on or perhaps even muster a brilliant try to win. It wasn't to be, yet another perfect defence, and a failed dodge straight up. Even a second chance at it after getting assisted by his mate on the scrimmage line couldn't help him and all the lads could do was watch as their opponents run in the winning try. Sixteen turns of blood, sweat and tears and it ends with Nuffle enjoying yet another belly laugh at the Vanguard's expense. Escaping with the draw would have been worth his torment, particularly for the valiant effort the remaining elves put in whilst outnumbered, outmuscled and outtackled.

Coach Snorri ain't happy Jan! Yet again their season is flattened before it has begun ! Their opponents this day played well, but alas the game was like trying to reverse the course of a river thats burst its banks. Probably from having Nuffle bellyflop onto it further upstream.

Twahnlow Votes

3pts: #4 Nightmare Rider

Caused the two early RIP's that took the game out of reach for the Vanguard. Not much you can do against that.

2pts: #1 Darkest Son

Won the game for them. Instrumental in leading the final perfect defence and causing the double 1's on the first dodge immediately after as the Vanguard desperately tried to extricate their meagre lineup from the scrimmage line. Think he also caused the trip that lost the Vanguard a try in the first half.

1pt: #2 Hearld of Vengance

One of the two muscleheads on the team. Without tackle or much guard, they ran riot and the Vanguard could do little against them. Held the catch and made the dodge for the winning try.”