Bloods Finals Hopes Fading Fast

The Waldenhof Bloods were comprehensively beaten by the Harlem Graverotters 2-0 last night.

In what was easily their worst performance of the season, the Bloods failed in practically every aspect of the game. The match received a rating of only 10/20, truly indicative of a game where only the Graverotters seemed to know what they were doing. The Bloods also received just 10,000gp for the game, a generous amount considering their on-field display.

The match was actually the third attempt to play the game – the original fixture on Friday night was twice abandoned due the unreliability of the Supercoach’s necromantic connection. The match finally went ahead when fellow cemetery-enthusiast, Justorius, agreed to step in as Special Guest Coach. The change in coach brought a very different philosophy to the pre-match preparations. With a whopping 530,000gp in Inducement money to spend Supercoach, in the earlier attempts, had opted for skilled mercenaries, potions and a Wizard. Whereas Justorius invested most of the money (a staggering 380,000gp) hiring Ramtut III. The Undead Superstar well and truly earned his appearance money – shutting down the Bloods offence by breaking tackles and smashing down the Vampires.

The match began with the Graverotters receiving. The ball was scooped by Knucklebone who had to immediately face Aufhocker Vasher who had rushed downfield to put early pressure on the ball carrier. The Graverotters' Wights, however, easily disposed of their Vampire pursuer and moved the ball down field. But as Knucklebone dashed for the goal line he was brought down by the Flaviu, the Bloods most talented Thrall. The Graverotters eventually regained the ball but a pass to Knucklebone waiting in the End Zone was Fumbled. With time running out, Constantine von Ungren just needed to throw a Tackle Zone on the ball to obstruct an easy TD, but he got hungry and left the field of play instead, enabling Knucklebone to grab the ball and score.

The second half saw the Vampires trying to push the ball up the right flank. But the Necros defenders quickly sealed off that approach, forcing the Bloods to change direction. But Graverotters soon shut that down too. Lincoln Thrope KO’d Lugat Nachtzehrer, who had been sent deep as a potential receiver, while Ramtut III crashed through the line of Thralls and sent Vasher and the ball flying. Vasher recovered the ball, but Ramtut III again barged his way past the screen of Thralls and KO’d Vasher right off the pitch. Allowing Knucklebone to grab the loose ball and score his second TD just before the final siren sounded.

Thanks to Justorius for stepping in and playing the game. But what a shocker of a match for the Vampires - with the MVP to a Thrall being the only SPP they received. With just three games to go – two of them against top 4 teams (Phoenix Flyers and Wasteland Runners) - the Bloods hopes of making the finals are becoming increasingly unlikely.

Dave
(aka Axebreaker)