“GLT XII: Gauntlet Qualifier: Round 1

The Fenmore Blackhawks looked out upon the pitch, seeing the sun bleached bones of their skeleton opponents along with the thousands of their fans, ravenous for death and destruction to be laid upon the fleshy humans. It was a sight that would cause fear in even the most stout of hearts. But then, the steady voice of Victor Bishop, Captain of the Blackhawks rose above the din of the crowd: 'We all have to die someday. But for all of us, today is not that day.' It was time to play Blood Bowl.

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The skeletons elected to receive, but the words of Victor inspired the team so much the the Blackhawks began playing while the ball was still in flight, capturing good field position before losing some momentum on a block gone wrong. The skeletons began smashing every human in reach, including laying a crippling injury on Terek, but not being able to get the ball clear of their side of the pitch, enough so that by the second turn August was able to pick up the ball and run in the first touchdown. Bad position followed by a poor kick resulted in the skeletons gaining some ground, but their focus on crushing us blinded them to the fact that they were now clustered together, and a perfect target for a fireball. With a deafening roar the fireball streaked from the side of the pitch and blasted upon the field, setting down the skeleton holding the ball and the surrounding defenders, with the ball coming to rest midfield. Leroy Jones Jr. dashed in, retrieved the ball, and ran off towards the endzone. The skeletons gave chase but they could not set Jones down, as he secured a stalling position for several turns before scoring our second touchdown.

The skeleton fans were furious, incited by the cheers of the Blackhawk fans, and without much surprise, a riot began. When the riot was finally quelled, the skeletons had the ball, and they somehow now had enough time to reach the endzone. But the skeletons were single-minded, preferring to lay a devastating foul on Mongo the ogre. The foul (6/6, 5/5, 5/5) was spotted by the ref, and the offending skeleton was ejected from the match. With the ball still behind them there was no way for the skeletons to score in the first half.

Second half, up 2-0, playing down 9-on-11, we decided to set up to score early, attempting to push the match too far out of their hands to stage a comeback. Still fired up from the first half the Blackhawks jumped off of the line before the ball came down, and after a pick up and a quick pass, the ball was back in the hands of Leroy Jones Jr., and he was now standing inside scoring distance. Again the skeletons attempted to get to Jones, but with a block gone wrong, Jones was able to score, uncontested. Drunk on good fortunes, and feeling overly sure, the Blackhawks again jumped off of the line and after the ball, but this time the skeletons were ready. They advanced forward, making sure to leave no human unmarked, laying as many hits and fouls as they could. The strategy was a success, as they fought their way into the endzone to bring the score closer, 3-1.

The skeletons set up wide to prevent another quick score attempt, and spurned on by their rage, lept off of the line as the ball was in the air. Victor made an attempt to gather up the ball, to try and come up with some new plan on the fly, but in his hurry, bobbled the pick up. Under pressure, nearly surrounded, Victor steadied his nerves, retrieved the ball out from under the hands of a skeleton, dodged away, and ran down the field before passing the ball to Émeric, who dashed off into the the skeleton side of the pitch, dodging away from a lone defender, and into the endzone for our fourth touchdown.

We set up for one last kick, but there was nothing the skeletons could do. They creaked and rattled a few more hits, but this match belonged to the Fenmore Blackhawks. The cheers of the fans can still be heard in the taverns and streets, as those who were present retell the tale of the unlikely upset.

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Crazy match, a lot of momentum went our way, and we just ran with it. Heck of a way to start off our first tournament appearance. Much respect to coach ThierryM, who kept putting on the pressure, even when the die continued to roll our way. Thank you for your time, and good game. ”