“Chasing the Blackbox Junior Sprint title, the Everglage Rangers were hoping for an easy match up in their 16th sprint game. No such luck. Drawn against legend coach Topper and his team of specialist slann sackers is was gong to be a tight one...

Winning the toss and backing their defence the Rangers chose to kick and line elf Dendron Treehugger duly got the game underway with a deep kick to the corner.

The Frogs started aggressively with deadly blitzer Xorteczin crippling the Ranger's journeyman George Grottyfire almost before the ref has blown his whistle. Breaking left, the Frogs made good progress, but when superstar slann blizter Quimichetl dropped the hand off suddenly the chance was on. Usually so reliable at picking up the loose ball, it was a rare blemish on the record of elf quarterback Haladir Swiftwind when he fumbled his chance. And so it fell to the new sensation, wardancer Morfinor Wildheart to leap into the heart of the Frog cage and spill the ball. This time there was no mistake as Tharon Swifwind (younger brother of Haladir), raced back from his offside position to collect the ball, sprint away and hurl it down field before he could be caught. The race was on! Whilst Wildheart was bundled into touch, Tharon found himself kissing dirt as the Frogs desparately tried to regain lost ground. Not to be denied, Tharon was soon on his feet, dodging away, picking the ball off the turf and sprinting away for the opening touchdown. 1-0 to the Rangers!

Now outnumbering the elves 11-9 the Frogs hoped for a powerful drive but it was checked from the start when another good kick saw them have to collect the ball from deep within their own half. Xorteczin continued to lead the attack, taking out another elf lineman and the Frogs rushed the ball downfield and formed a cage. But Wildheart was at it again as he leaped in and smashed the ball lose. Haladir was quick to pounce on the opportunity and when he managed to dodge away from a diving tackle and make the pass to brother Tharon, the Rangers found themselves 2-0 up at half time.

Still outnumbered 11-9 and eager to protect their lead, Haladir ran deep waiting for the right moment to break after having picked up the ball from the Frog kick at the start of the new half. However, as the Frogs pressed, the Rangers soon found themselves under pressure and when Haladir missed his pass the game was back on. The chance was there, but only briefly for the Frogs, and when
Torticá fumbled his pass, whilst Xorteczin waited hopefully in the Ranger's endzone, Wildheart was able to collect the ball and make a run down field. There was no stopping the impressive wardancer who soon made the score 3-0.

The game seemed done with nothing left but for the ref to blow his whistle - but wait. Catching the dejected Frogs flat footed with a blitz, the Rangers were quickly in the hunt for touchdown number 4! Wildheart himself lead the charge and this time when Frog playmaker Yaqui fumbled his pass Wildheart added to his account, securing his own brace. Final score Everglade Rangers 4 - 0 Acxotecatl Frogs.

Impressed by Wildheart's match winning contribution the jury rightly voted him the MVP and rumour has it he has been training hard since the match adding a might blow to his already impressive set of skills.

(Thanks for the game - great banter, harsh dice and a bit of an epic timewise! I look foward to our next encounter...)


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