“Preamble: Round two of the Warpstone Open Qualifiers and the Ruffnecks where up against James_Probert's Pro Elves. The Synnful Sprinting Elves came into the game with two players missing after a very one-sided victory in their round 1 game. The elves were the favourites for the game according to the prediction thread, but I wasn't daunted and hoped my tackle MB blitzers would have the final say. My plan was, once again, to receive, score, then pound the elves into submission for the remaining turns (I should learn that plans don't always go according to.....well.....plan).

First half: The Ruffnecks won the toss and chose to receive. The specs were very much on the pro elf side, but somehow the Orcs won the fame roll. No problems on the pick up but then a miscalculation on the second turn cage allowed the elves a re-rolled 1d block for the POW (a reoccurring theme through out this game) resulting in a loose ball and a niggled catcher. First real blood to the elves. The orcs took exception to their thrower being niggled and sought revenge by forgetting the ball and putting two elves in the injured box, with James_Probert using his apothecary to patch up his badly hurt blodging sidestepping thrower. In true elf style the Sprinting Elves danced around the Ruffnecks and scored a touch down on turn three of the first half. 1-0 Synnful's Sprinting Elves

1-0 down after three turns (again) after I received a bad situation turned into a nightmare when the kick-off table yielded a blitz result. The elves punched a hole through the Raider's line, but could only get a couple of players through before an Orc stuck out a leg to trip Ahettebl as he looked to support his fellow catcher, Rircail. A good play (Viggu Garshnak BHing Rircail) and a lucky block (rookie lineman blocking a star blitzer, needing a POW on two dice and rolling it) to win the ball back was ruined when an ill-advised pass to a blitzer popped the ball out into the open. Another POW 1D blitz and made GFIs allowed the elves to hold the ball deep in the Raiders' half. A big turn was required and the Ruffnecks produced it with two blitzers pulling out all the stops. First Viggu Garshnak SI'd Ucelilr (the blodging guard sidestepping blitzer) and Tarod Xurukk dodged around the other blitzer, even made the shadowing roll and two GFIs to put a second tackle-zone on the ball-carrier. A failed dodge popped the ball out and the orcs picked up the ball, breaking armour left right and centre as Mighty Blow started to tell, and a quick hand off set a Blitzer free for the equaliser just before half time. 1-1.

Second Half: The second half kicked off with 10 playing 7 and a well placed rock stunned Ahhirn the Pro Elves thrower, but some nice dodging allowed the elves a precarious position midway through the Ruffnecks' half. As in the orcs second turn in the first half, the contact between a player and a cage corner proved pivotal. Another casualty for the Orcs popped open the cage and the strip balling Garshnak deprived Ahettebl of the ball. The elves tried another 1D block but re-rolled skulls caused a quick turnover. The next turn was particularly brutal with the Ruffnecks clearing the three players of the pitch and knocking down one of the other three. A slow walk down to the TD line ensured a 2-1 win for the Raiders. With another 1D POW for the elves and a failed GFI when going for a -2DB in the final turn being the only plays of note in the final 6 turns of the second half.

Aftermath: I would like to again say thank you and well played to James_Probert. He plays his elves in the daring manner that they should be played and it made for an exciting game.

Onto the game. Well once again I conceded early after receiving and when the blitz was rolled on the second kick-off I was fearing the worst. My blitzers, which 'do not inspire fear' (hehe - ed), caused all sorts of havoc, with plenty of KOs and casualties and in one case in particular a brilliant dodge to help out a team mate.

I've never really stalled before but found myself doing so for pretty much the whole second half. I could have tried to clear the pitch and I'm sure it was mentioned in the spectator galleries, but the win was first and foremost in my mind and I'm glad I came away with it. Next game is going to be a struggle without my Guarding BOB and the niggle on the thrower is disappointing. I think I got the dice when it mattered (again) but I wouldn't say that they massively favoured me over the game. No idea who I'll be playing either a Necro team or 'Zon team. Either way it looks like it will be another tough game.

The Ruffnecks are pounding on to the WOQ semi-finals. Ooga chaka, Ooga chaka!

(Match report is from my point of view and spectators and my opponent will probably disagree with my version of events.)”