“HUBBA Season 5; Division 3 - Round 2

Decadence went into their second round match hopeful of pulling off a win, and nearly managed it but for some masterful ball-handling from the Khemri late in the second. It was a great game for the neutral, a close and bitter encounter.

The first half was a tried and tested Pact ball run pulled off almost to perfection. Joshua once again caught the kick-off without letting it hit the floor and Decadence started to drive up the middle. The stronger Khemri were jamming in and Lucius moved the play to the left as the marauders swept around behind him. The Khemri reacted well and twice stalled the push upfield with their stronger team. The Pact were starting to take their toll, putting 2 of Powerslave into the injury box, only to see them both climb out again. Realising the drive was going no further the Pact switch back to the opposite side, breaking out of the back of their own cage and moving to the right. The Khemri tried to react but their slower players were unable to get around the marauders streaming down their wing and they got tied in. The drive was almost halted when a hit on the Tomb Guard who'd reached Joshua managed to go awry and the Guardian was left with a comfortable shot on the ball. He managed to free the ball, but couldn't remain standing as he tripped over the prone marauder. Joshua stood, scooped up the ball and walked into the undefended end-zone for the score.

The second half was much the same, but with the Khemri on the drive. Their slow speed and poor agility made their drive easier to stall, but the half started in disaster. Lucius stood on the spiked helmet of the Skeleton they'd fouled to death in the first half. Twice his team-mates screamed at him to blitz them the hole, but he just stood there howling in pain. Fulgrim looked confused at what has happening and stared around blankly until the Khemri drive was already upon them both. Now trying to make up ground the Pact punched a few holes and even managed to down the ballcarrier late in the half to secure what looked like a win, but Powerslave had other ideas - their throw-ra picking up the ball and shovelling it off to Duellists who began a sprint down the wing. The last pact defended sprinted across the field to stop him but pulled a muscle and fell to the ground. The Khemri walked over and the game looked done.

There was one last chance for the Pact, but it wouldn't be easy. The players looked tired and out of second-chances. Joshua again caught the kickoff, his 3rd in 2 games, and handed it to Jacob. Fulgrim pumped his arm and let fly, sending Jacob, and the ball, barrelling down the field in a spiral. Jacob tried to stick the landing but the spiral was too tight. As he thudded into the floor the hooter sounded and the game ended in a draw. It was a close run thing, and Decadence can take pride from a good performance and a point gained. Next up is the 'flings and, they hope, their first win of the campaign.”