“A strange game, that's for sure. With my legendary thrower taking the day off I was really just looking for something quick and not too brutal to pas the time. And this is pretty much exactly what I got.

BlueEyes played fast, got on with the business of scoring and knew exactly what he wanted to do every turn. It was a pleasure to watch.

After the dark elves had notched up the first score, I set about doing the same. My blocking game was pretty good (after all, I am fielding 3 MB right now) the elfy side of play was terrible. My first pass ended in a double failed catch, and that allowed the dark elves to score a second. This one at least took them a little longer though.

I didn't try the one-turner as it would have required more luck (and skill) than I possessed, and so the half ended.

The second half was a total reversal. Although I was in no position to try any long bombs today, I did manage a quick pass, and then a similarly quick score.

Then the dark elves's luck ran out, and one failed simple pass allowed me to get in there and run one in myself. I nearly threw the chance away with another double-failed catch, but BlueEyes kept up his run of bad dice, failed a dodge and gave me a second chance - which I took.

Then I was handed the game on a plate. BlueEyes set up mostly on one side of the field, the kick went the other way. I also rolled a perfect defence, so I was able to tie up his entire front line, then he failed his very first dodge of the turn. In return, I was able to get the ball, get some protection, put his annoying AG5 witch elf in my wardancer's TZ and even knock a couple of players over (his, not mine for a change). It was all looking so good for a final turn score for the win.

But then the dark elves showed me how elves should play the game. A whole string of dodges and go for its brought two of his blitzes all the way across to block my two catchers in position, then more of the same brought the witch elf across so she could crowd surf not one, but both of my catchers, killing one in the process (thanks, apo!).

Even then, the throw in was perfect for me. All I needed to do was pick up the ball in a TZ and run it in. So instead I tried to blitz the ST4 blitzer standing beside it. And in trying to get a second assist, one of my loners messed up. Obviously, with hindsight, I should have just run in and pick the damn thing up, but a whole string of double 1s from earlier in the game had made me nervous. And that's the thing about loners - they just can't be trusted.

So it ended in a draw. BlueEyes was perhaps justifiably disappointed with the result, having been comfortably 2-0 up at the half, but at the same time, I was just as disappointed that I wasn't able to get that easy final score for the win. Oh well, these things happen. And as I said, I wasn't really expecting even this level of success from a team fielding five journeymen and no deep passing threat.

And it was quick.

And there was no stalling.

And I have my thrower back now.

Result!”