“Dear Vanyar,

Our Journey is almost complete, only two stops remain, both that lead to the borders of Mankind.

Although with a majority of draws under their belt we were not going to take the Woodmen of Druadan Forest too lightly for they had defeated our Freeworld rivals Rise of Akallabeth, a feat we had seldom achieved. Fortunately, our friends the Hobbiton Heroes had reduced their number sufficiently enough to make this an almost equal encounter, in addition - their thrower succumbed to old and ailing injuries whilst Torin had himself contracted a virus.

Things began well, with Traki Seriously Injuring one of the more experienced soldiers. This was soon followed up by another one being booted to the casualty box, despite the official taking exception and marching our player from the field of battle. The Humans attempted to stop our advance, but found their attacks largely ineffective against our nimble warriors whilst we seemed to have little difficulty in exposing the weakness in their chainmail, stunning them en-masse.

With the ball secured ready for the score the Humans seemed more focussed on making their own drive easier and persisted to battle our fringe men, a peculiar mankind trait, though this was not a horrid tactic and saw one of our numbers badly hurt by their large Ogre and another knocked out. Almost at the dying moments, they attacked one of our grounded players; we retaliated in turn, only to have the official once again send our player from the field!!! No doubt this was retribution for the official we left for dead in our previous game!

Despite being low on numbers we scored with comfort.

1 – 0

The Humans lined their men up against some of our nimblest warriors as we attempted to avoid their final moments of wrath this half… they were not nimble enough however as the Ogre badly hurt Karim, our star Lion Warrior!

Our six men lined up against the 8 Woodsmen for the second half.

Another of our numbers was quickly sent to the causality box and we were down to five as quick as that. Things looked bleak to take the win. We manoeuvred to slow the Woodsmen down, biding our time to make our attack. When their gargantuan Ogre stood dumbly after one of their mean lay stunned, the Woodsmen suddenly seemed short on players to protect their ball carrier. They charged forward, only to be cut off – they ran back, and finally our opening unveiled itself.

In what could be described as the single most graceful manoeuvre we have been forced to make this season, the leaping Idgar leapt over their line and positioned himself near the ball carrier, whilst Helrin dodged away from his markers to sack the ball carrier, then for Idgar to pluck the loose ball from the air!

The ball wasn’t safe though, but the Humans bumbled their attack on Idgar leaving him to run free!

2 – 0

The Humans made a consolation score courtesy of a rare failure from Traki, but the game was over.

2 - 1

Later we celebrated in the shire after accepting a gracious offer from Hobbiton, with our games recently affecting one another it seemed polite to attend. The drink and food flowed, especially the drink, and I am afraid to say that in our stupor we may have done something rather silly… … we may have agreed to join with them for the Two Tower!!!

My penance is my headache on this morn, but I feel we will suffer greater yet for our folly.

Regretfully yours,
Tarius

==
Enjoyable game and no perms for either. Stu’s Ogre is awesome, and has just got +ST too… he must be killed!
I was lucky to win the game, it looked certain to be a tie. Stu rerolled his block on my Leaper and rolled double skulls, much to my relief! :)
For one of the lower rated teams in the Freeworld, they put up a great fight.

GG mate!


”