Match Rating Shock

Walt's Warriors defeated the Tlaxtlan Vipers in close game last night 1-0.

Despite the closeness of the contest the Match Rating Agency, Bastard & Claws (B&C), awarded the match just 9/20! Given that B&C routinely rate all the unplayed draws of the bye rounds at 8/20 - they have, in effect, officially labelled the game one of the most boring of the season. Harsh!!

The Warriors won the toss and elected to receive. Lining up on the line-of-scrimmage, the Dwarfs found themselves face to face with the great Lizardman Star Player Slibli. The kick-off was fielded cleanly by White Murphy and the Dwarfs began to grind their way down field - slowly wearing down the Vipers defences as several Lizards were knocked off the pitch injured, KO'd or shoved over the side-lines. Eventually Murphy broke clear of the defence and raced for the End Zone - only to stop just short of the line to use up time with a stall (clearly this is a Euro-Disney franchise). Slibli, however, raced down field and threw a tackle zone on the time-wasting dwarf. But the Warriors knocked him aside and Murphy scored just before half-time.

The Vipers drive in the second half began well with the ball picked-up cleanly by Itztica and advanced towards the half way line. But, try as they might, the Lizards just couldn't open up a gap in the Warriors' defence with most of their blocks just shoving the dwarfs about a bit. A failed block gave the Warriors a chance to rush the ball carrier and Itztica was KO'd and the ball sent flying. Tlaloc eventually regathered the ball - but with time running out and an ever diminishing number of Skinks on the field - he decided to go for broke with a bold dash through the middle of the dwarf defence - and he came very close to succeeding. Racing through multiple tackle zones he emerged into the clear - only to knock himself out trying to gain some extra yards. The dwarfs quickly seized the ball and the game wound down to a close with score line remaining 1-0.

Thanks to Geoff for the game. The loss sees the Vipers perilously close to dropping out of the Top 8 altogether - and with two tough matches against the Norse Hammer and Dark Elf Conventio in the coming fortnight - the Lizards season is on a knifes edge!

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)