“HUBBA Bowl IV - Round of 16

After being given a bye in the first round, Decadence faced off in the round of 16 against a familiar Division 3 opponent; Boglins.

The game looked set to be great from the start. There was plenty of tension and angst between the teams. Boglins had caused an upset earlier in the season catching Decadence on the break after killing minotaur Lucius and snatching a great 1-0 win. The Pact were out to put the record straight and, hopefully, avenge their fallen teammate.

This game signalled a changing of the guard at Decadence and the beginning of a new era as newly appointed Head Coach John 'Madman' Earl took up the helm for the first time. Zacchaeus, the newly aquired blocking talent on the front line had an impressive debut netting himself 2 casualties, and Joshua, no longer burdened with management as well as captaincy, put in a rejuvenated showing scoring 2 touchdowns.

The Pact came out of the blocks hard, receiving the kick and driving up the field removing a good number of players. Madman's decision to draft in a fouling expert seemed to be paying off too, adding to the casualty count and thinning out the goblins. When the Pact scored the Goblins took a shot at the quick TD, throwing a goblin downfield, but the troll seemed confused and didn't perform.

The game looked comfortably in hand at 1-0 and up a number of players but then the heat struck. A number of Decadence' key men were slumped in the dugout exhausted and they started the second half 9v9. The Boglins saw a chance and upped their game, Splat the 3rd taking off down the wing and hugging the sideline. Splat is sneaky, and can evade onrushing opponents attempting to push him into touch, so Decadence tried to box him in on the sidelines. He was completely surrounded when he muscled up and leapt clean over all of the pact defence before rushing in for the score. 1-1 and game on.

The heat dissipated at this point and the Pact put a lot more men out on the field. The re-stared their first half maul and scored with a minute left on the clock having reduced the goblins to just 6 fit players. The goblins, optionless, took to the air again launching Klang downfield. He was helped by rioting fans who had left a gaping hole in the middle of the pact line and he was able to safely land and run in the score. 2-2 and seconds left to play.

Decadence lined up, determined to try the same and prepared to hand Jacob the ball. As the kickoff was taken the fans streamed onto the pitch again, still celebrating the Boglin touchdown. The didn't help their side though as the clock was wound back and the Pact had extra time on the board. Their 2 minute drill failed though when Fulgrim couldn't remember his part in the play and Jacob was forced to try a long passing play.

Into overtime and nerves were on edge amongst the crowd. Boglins won the toss and elected to receive. Another successful aerial attempt and they'd chalk up their second win over Decadence in the season. The weather turned completely at this point and the snow started falling. The Boglins lined up for their winning play but a missed hit by their troll on the line let the Pact, who'd gone for more aggressive defensive setup, rush into their backfield. They grabbed the ball and held on, hitting the few remaining goblins into the ground before running in the score after half of the overtime period. All-round it was a good game for the Pact, and the Boglins will be proud of their efforts too. Decadence move on to the Quarter Finals and will face off against Division 2 runners-up 'Rot' your World in what is expected to be a one sided encounter.

John Earl reported after the game that it was good to get one under the belt before next season proper starts in a few weeks, and he was impressed with how the new signings both seemed to settle in so quickly.”