“Suffering slightly from the hands of the Dwarves in our last game, the prospect of facing not only the Freeworld’s, but the whole of Middle Earth’s, Most Merciless team, Deadmen of Dunharrow, was a “harrowing” prospect. Our only saving grace was that we had waged well in the last game and lofted a hefty sack of gold as well as 3 points from the Dwarves to send for reinforcements from Vanyar to aid us.

As we lined up against the Mummies on the LOS for our first drive, slurred whispers kept on repeating “The way to the End Zone is shut” – we were about to prove them wrong, this day would not end in utter failure – for these undead are as renowned for their mental agility as much as they are their physical agility!

The ball was kicked off and immediately by the hollow gaze of the referee we knew that the Deadmen had gotten to him, this did nothing to settle us. We broke for a flank, taking out an all important throw-ra and introducing him to the KO box. We guarded our ball carrier with a wide cage for safety and stepped away from the gruesome mummies. All looked well until in our second turn a surprising failed dodge from one of our more nimble members gave the Deadmen a lot of opportunity to deliver some pain.

Players began to enter the KO box, and our artful Guarder was mortally wounded, fortunately the early arrival of the apothecary managed to hold death off… the price of this service would be greater later.

Fortunately, the Deadmen still hadn’t got to the ball carrier and in fact had provided us with an opportunity to stall with our greater pace. Knowing that a 1 – 0 lead for us to take to the second half would ensure the win was not an option for our outer plane opponents.

The Deadmen howled with rage, threatening to foul us at every opportunity for our impertinence… Ha! Empty threats considering they hadn’t held back yet. We continued to dodge and move, ht the weak key players until finally they bore down on us enough to face either real pain or the score… we chose the elven option. 1 – 0 to the Freeworld leaders!

With less than a full quarter remaining, and despite few in numbers, we knew we could hold the Deadmen off. Indeed we did just that and were it not for a failed sprint attempt - we may have even completed a pass that would have secured the game.

The second half, and we had to admire the courage of our rookies who volunteered to hold off the mass of Deadmen – those that survived this day would be the true heroes of Vanyar’s future.

The LOS was obliterated, another of our team sent to the CAS box, one to the KO, and a stunning boot for the other. Due to a deep kick though, and our men piling on the pressure, the Deadmen were forced to make a pass, which they did effortlessly… obviously elven in former life. We struck out at another of their skilled Skellies and killed him as we approached the ball carrier – Huzzah – but not to be outdone, the Mummies immediately returned the favour and killed our team captain Ingwe.

With but four players left on the field, our under strengthed blitzes on the ball carrier coming to nought, and the Deadmen continuing to foul our fallen heroes, we could little but move out of their way and let them do what they have done throughout their campaign… and get the draw.

Currently the top of the table it was better to preserve players for what we hope to be a journey to Mordor, than to die trying to secure 2 more points.

1 – 1, and a death each, albeit an important loss of life for us, this had to be a good outing, certainly others have faired worse at the Deadmen’s boney hands.

One game remains, as we set our attentions back towards the lands of Mankind, and the dominion of Akallabêth.

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Keravin is a dirty git, fouling to the very end… and we, peaceful, Elves have loooong memories. :P

GG though mate, enjoyed it… if I’d only had another RR I think I may have swung a victory in this, but who knows – nuffle is anything but kind.

As for the “Get The Ref” – granted you had disposable Skellies, but not many and I’d have been happy to see equal numbers for the second half. :)
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