“Wheee, my first foray into the box with 'flings.

Things were foreshadowed by my opponent early on by saying that he is always wary of playing against flings. This match has probably not done anything to allay that.

A pretty much dream start for me, as an orc blitzer was left in a surfable position, nuffle not only provided the dice to allow it, but the rabid crowd decided they didn't much like orcs either, and poor Orkachu got beaten into a pulp on a 1d surf. With no apo available to provide assistance, that was that for him. So after turn 1, we were a (half) man up!

The next turn went not so well, as one tree went down and the other took root, and a fling left the field, but positionally we were fine and otherwise blocking extraordinarily well. A trend that continued for the next few turns as the orcs moved slowly downfield - with most turns spent having to stand up more players than the flings! However, when the second tree rooted, and we moved to cover the wrong spot, the orcs took full advantage, blitzing through a gap and then handing over to a blitzer who rushed through and was screened off. The next turn saw the first fling trip of consequence, and so the orc score was assured in turn 8.

All in all, not a bad defensive effort, an orc taken out, an opponent made to sweat a bit, and very few flings lost in the process. Just before half time, we lined up, tested the air with a finger, looked at the way the grass pitched, stared down the orc line and... flew! Despite having to throw from on the LOS, the scatter was kind (a trend emerging), and 1 square closer to the endzone not only put us in range with one gfi, but meant that the right stuff roll wasn't in a tacklezone! 1-1! Shortcrust pasty flies everywhere in the crowd!

Second half began with the trees determined to make up for a first half in which they were definitely the weak link. The ball was safely retrieved, and a screen hastily assembled without too much thought as to hitting opponents just yet. With no real mobility in our side and the orcs presenting a tight formation we decided the proper manner of doing things would be to strike right up the gut and through the middle to put some fear in those big boots! And strike we did! Rootsnapper saw the orc thrower standing lone and hit his unprotected bonce! KO'd! Giving us back the man advantage!

The next turn saw a critical play where young master knotwise lay his body on the line (and on the ground) in order to block a possible orc blitz. Rootsnapper felt a bit of the first half jangles as he did not stand firm and let the orcs move a bit more freely, but he was to make up for this in due time.
BOOM! Thornybough with the big hit of the game! Snorklax the troll was crushed under an immense bough and the troll did not have time to regenerate his wounds... and with that, any fear of the nefarious goblin (CaterpOrk) flying through the air later was gone. A tactical retreat was made, and Rootsnapper, suitably chastened from his previous cowardice, elected to go "mark um mens" some menacing looking black orcs...

And stand firm he did. Setting the stage for a grandstand finish, as Childebrand Goold had the audacity to smash another orc blitzer off the field. Get off our pitch! :D

At this point, we interject briefly to announce the end of the career of Grossman Hogpen. Who valiantly, and bravely, stood in the face of a black orc blocker so that Rootsnapper might stand slightly longer. His dedication to duty was not forgotten by the crowd and he was voted MVP for this act of wanton heroism.

Fueled on by this, we moved down once more, Hornwood moved within range, blitzing past Waagh-Chop on his way, and we relied upon Rootsnapper to hold firm and stop the back door being breached. As it was, Leroy Clubfoot decided to use that foot, and tripped CaterpOrk as he tried to move round to assist his black orcs in an attempt to fell Rootsnapper. Hornwood ran it in. 2-1 to the little men and the Orcs left only one turn to reply... bacon and pastries and cream flying everywhere!

Hornwood is rewarded for his 2-touchdown heroics with the almighty blessing of nuffle, 6spp he has, 6,6 he rolls! An elegant summary of the game.

The dice were kind, my opponent good humoured and chatty and the game fun. What's not to love for a fling coach?
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