“CIBBL - Y8, Spring - Athel Loren: round 1:

Timaris Stormwing, founder and head coach of Modryn’s Midnight Meddlers, was in an excited mood that morning. The last snow had finally melted and spring had returned to awaken the world. After having travelled to the four corners of the Old World during the last year, he was looking forward to pass the spring season in his beloved Athel Loren. Of course, there was the title of regional champion to defend, and therefore Timaris had sent out Mereia, his assistant, on a scouting mission. Now she had returned and informed Timaris of what she had seen. A new squad of four-legged Zoats had been noticed in the forest, as well as a crew of badly tempered forest spirits. And then there were the followers of Kurnous and Isha, respectively. All of them the Meddlers would face this spring, but first there were the treemen to be dealt with. The Athel Loren spring classic against True Roots of Khaine would open the season for the wood elves.

Backed up with a wizard, a bribe, some bloodweiser kegs and the starplayer Ambassador Leyla, the Roots took to the pitch to kick the ball. The Meddlers were a bit too confident to Timaris’ liking and were immediately taken by surprise by an opposing Blitz! The ball had been kicked deep though, so that none of the spites could reach it. The wood elves withdrew from the treemen, except for Belborth Bluebark who decided to impress his brethren but only managed to knock himself down. From earlier encounters the Meddlers had learned to patiently wait until the trees would root themselves down to the spot, before advancing into the opponent’s half. Meanwhile Syrabeth had broken through though, and started creating havoc amongst the opposing spites. When two treemen came a bit too close to the ball to the elves’ liking, Nimrodel decided to use his superior agility and somersaulted through the air, beyond the grasp of the trees. Nevertheless, he wasn’t beyond the reach of the spites! Half-Pointy-Eared Plagiochila moved in and used his dauntless skill to get 2d on the ball. A pow came up and Nimrodel was knocked out of the game. On the bench Timaris grabbed his face and started shaking his head. Mereia, still seemingly unimpressed by what was going on, adjusted her cap backwards, lowered her shades, and ordered herself a martini. Nothing was lost yet. To the contrary, Syrabeth removed another spite and recovered the ball too. Treemen started taking roots all over the pitch, but one managed to threaten Syrabeth, only to knock himself down in the process. Timaris sighed and visibly relaxed, as the worst seemed to be over now. The Meddlers controlled the clock for the remainder of the half and scored in turn eight: 1-0 for the wood elves. Then a pitch invasion took down the complete line of scrimmage of the wood elves, as well as four more players on the back line. Unfortunately for the Roots, the kick was too deep to get the ball into the hands of the spite waiting to be launched.

The Meddlers kicked in the second half. For a few turns the Roots steadily advanced, until Syrabeth decided to leap in and free the ball. Nimrodel followed soon, nimbly leapt into the space between two treemen, gracefully picked up the ball and dodged to safety. On the podium Aery, the Meddlers’ cheerleader already started the victory dance. Next turn a treemen broke into the cage, but without inflicting any harm. Nimrodel broke free and escaped with the ball. Using his excellent speed, he ran towards the other side of the pitch, far away from any lingering branches. Meanwhile Larix Darkbark had somehow managed to knock himself out during a game of branchwrestling with Belborth Bluebark. On the bench Mereia understood the game had been played, downed her glass and ordered another martini. Timaris proudly encouraged his troops to move forwards. The Roots tried to snipe Nimrodel twice, but the efforts were not accurate enough. In the last turn of the game, Aewyn, who had received the ball from Nimrodel, ran in the final touchdown of the game: 2-0 and first win of the season for the Meddlers!
”