“<b>Southern Waste League Divisional Playoff</b>

Under clear skies, the Warlizards made the trek to Mt Victorius to take on the Blue Mountain Dragons in a match up in which most pundits believed the upstart Warlizards would take.

The Warlizards won the toss and elected to receive and after the obligatory anthems the Warlizard offensive line went to work. The Dragons, playing a watchful defence conceded early yardage and it took only seconds for Speedy to foul the big Ogre from the Dragons.

Jen O'Lan was the first casualty of the match as Grethor hit him hard and fast as the Warlizards soon dominated the drive through their speedy play. The fouling continued from the Warlizards unabated and soon the good referee sent Ethor from the field on a vicious foul to Dragons captain Vladim Oslobahn.

But nevertheless, the Warlizards were unstoppable and crashed through for a score as Halcon went the length of the field.

In response, the Dragons attacked their left flank and despite a deep kick, rookie thrower Lin Denn managed a good pass to send star catcher Blax Landric on his way.

The Dragons looked set to score despite more rough treatment from the Warlizards until a diving ankle tap stopped Landric and the half ended with the score 1-0 to the Warlizards.

With so much at stake, both coaches gave impressive half time speeches but it was the Dragons who came out the stronger with another solid sideline drive. The Warlizards though looked as though they had the play covered until a nice block by Sun Vali and a sideline hand off to Lin Denn saw the Norse thrower break across field and then find the unmarked Landric on the far side of the field all on his own.

The Warlizards attempted to correct their over balanced defence but Landric blitzed into the endzone to tie the game with one quarter to play.

With plenty of time, the Warlizards - a well renowned offensive team - should have had the ability to score, but the drive stalled terribly as the Warlizards luck completely left them.

A telling hit on the skink Halcon by Faulcon Bridge saw the norse lineman come away with the ball. Bridge was brought down and with only moments to play, a desperate play saw Lin Denn again pick up the ball to hand off to a flying Heinrick Stormblade who stretched out to plant the ball in the end zone for a dramatic come from behind victory.

Despite this, match officials awarded only minimum prizemoney to both teams and many fans left the ground disgusted and vowing never to return.
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Bad luck Michael, a great game - pity the stakes weren't so high... Good luck in Div 2 next season...”