Match Details

iaphyr:

DoubleSkulls:

The conference decider and the Anarchists needed a win. The rats chose Skitter, Wizard, Babe and a 50k card for their inducements, and we both got a 50k card too. Otherwise the pre-match was uneventful with the Anarchists winning the toss and electing to receive.

The first TD was relatively straight forward apart from Camphor burning a reroll on the pass and Willow dropping the catch. However Willow recovered, popped the ball to Ash who handed off to Cedar for the first. The rats came back quickly with a completion for each of the throwers and #16 running in their first. 

The anarchists came right back, with the first card used to make Willow go prone after Camphor finally got the completion she needed. However she jumped up again and this time Durian picked up the two turn TD. Once more the rats surged back with a very high pressure TD requiring the wizard to zap poor old Elm who was KO'd, never to return. 2-2 at the half and the rats were receiving. The rats had not needed any of the 6(!) rerolls they'd had in the first half - but the luck was about to turn savagely against them. 

The anarchists managed to get some good pressure on the ball and with the break away on the rats tried to go a little too far - failing a go for it with reroll already burnt. Worst of all the gutter runner, all alone downfield was stunned enabling the elves a leisurely wander downfield and recover the ball next turn. Birch showed her stuff with an elegant pass/hand off with Ash and Durian getting the credit. 3-2, but still a lot to play for. 

The kick went short and its a blitz! Durian scrambled under the ball with some cover from Birch. However the rats managed to knock the ball loose and away from any TZ, but then Nuffle intervened and snake eyes as a gutter runner dodged to try and protect the ball from a failed pick up. Birch strolls in and passes for Cedar for 4-2 and surely the game as good as gone from the rats. 

Next kick off the rats once again tried the thrower to thrower passing play, but an inaccurate pass let the ball run loose and hard working Oak recovered the ball, survived the blitz and got the 5th. 

A very hard fought game where really a couple of crucial die rolls either made a big difference and let the Anarchists squeeze into the quarter finals after a very tough group. Just about the most surprising thing was the lack of casualties.