“Whilst Jim's on the pitch, there's always a chance.

The first half went well enough. Despite a tussle on the sideline that got a bit hairy, the humans were bashing a bit better than the dwarves and Tom Scurvy ended up with ball in hand after a switch in the play. It did require Jim's skills to run through tackle zones and execute a safe throw through the maul - perhaps the first time the skill has prevented an interception. Legenday hitter Monk was among 2 human casualties but the Devils still had numbers.

2nd half defense looked to be going just as well, as the dwarven offensive line seemed to be getting more precarious. A chance to blitz the ball arrived, and my blitzer slipped on the go for it and was seriously injured! Then a block seriously injures the other one (thanks apothecary for sparing the perm) and the game has been turned on its head. Coach Zugar sends the runner in to score early because now it is the dwarves that have the numbers and a win is on the cards.

The final drive starts badly - perfect defense. Linemen manage to break down both wings as Jim sits back, but neither option is without risk. The ball is dropped down one flank and the dwarves try their own passing move - but the misthrow goes out of bounds and the ball is tossed into the middle of the pitch. Jim sees it, but he needs a receiver. Pinned by the line, the other lineman runs through a tackle zone then dodges free and really goes for it (twice) to get in the endzone. Jim dodges, goes for it twice himself then excecutes a perfect maximum distance pass for the winner. Elves would have been proud.

The dwarves and their coach were not happy!”