“A couple of hours after the game and Antarctic Gale still hadn't calmed down. The frenzied rage that so often held him in its clutches mid game refused to subside, and the rest of the lads were having a hard time trying to find some inner peace as well.

A second virus this season. That, along with losing their S4 strip baller very first turn and two ko's that never came back for the entire game left the Vanguard with just six players on the field for the whole match. No strip baller, no guarder, no S4 players and a frenzying saurus on the other side that prevented them from making use of the sidelines for scoring options. Despite the hype and the talk after winning the premiership, I suspect there's few that understand the scars that Carlton left them (oh and they will pay!).

There was nothing left to do at that point except to survive and the dreaded orders came out from the coach's box....leave and let be.... There's nothing more humiliating than having to play a prem game in which your lads scamper as far as possible from the action rather than to it. The heart wants to fight on anyway, but the head is reminding you that your team has greater issues to face if it ever wants to be competitive again. Once upon a time, Coach Snorri might have mocked (probably did!) such a girly tactic while coaching the orcy Krasherz....not anymore - it was easy to mock a thing you never tried to experience yourself.

And so any famous general will agree with the above sentiments. You're foolish to risk all on a losing battle when there's a war to be won. But sometimes its impossible not to. Sometimes a recklessly foolish charge right back into the fray is needed just to keep the morale up. And so it is with blood bowl. For three turns in the second half, the lads watched the saurii try and play catchies (6+ hadn't realised this till the third turn of it) with the greasy wuzza (ball) in the stormy conditions. It was too much. Especially when it threatened to continue for the entire half and deny the chance for the Vanguard to get stuck in and play some blood bowl in a late game drive. At this point, Antarctic Gale's resolve broke and he berserked faster than an Asgardian, led them into the fray and stole the win away from the Skinks as they ran it downfield for a try in turn 15.

Futile? Most probably. The Vanguard are bound for relegation barring a miracle whether this game turned out to be a loss or a draw. But their morale isn't broken yet!

Then there was the senseless foul fest of Turn 16! For two teams who by necessity have to avoid injuries when they can, this was insane. For those hiding behind the whimsical excuse of looking for just one more cas to get that positive modifier for their fan factor, dont be surprised when the Vanguard hit back! They ain't going to take it lying down! Retribution didn't happen today, but one day the dirty hand of vengeance will slay one of your star characters and your whimsical excuse will look mighty flimsy. We sincerely hope that at this time, your mythical fan factor can console you better than we will be wont to do ;)

Twahnlow Votes:

3pts: #2 Slnts

Didn't even need the buzzing handicap to get the 3 points. After the virus, Slnt put away the ST4 strip baller in the first turn, then followed up with two permanent ko's leaving the Vanguard with just six on the pitch for the entire match. Would have sealed the game already if the lizzies hadn't stopped to try and get a saurii to score in the rain.

2pts: #12 Eyeuieelinsh

Scored the try and nice block on Orca (ball carrier) to stun him late in the game.

1pts: #11 Xies-ler-aym

As usual, alot of rushing around for Xies. Extremely valuable little guy.
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