Another top of the table clash this week, with Downunderworld coming head-to-head with Erengrad Eagles.
Downunderworld elected to receive, and found it hard going in the earlier stages of the match to create an opportunity. With the clock ticking Thran Forefangs swept wide with the ball to make the breakaway. Unfortunately, he was run down by T. Balls and Glenn Meisner for the turnover. Though deep in his own half, Meisner broke free towards the halfway line and launched a pass up-field towards his receivers. With the situation desperate, Khal Rapidjaw was on hand to make the clutch interception for the underworld team, turning the match on its head yet again. As he surged forward to hand the ball off to goblin Ciq, the underworld teamwork was clicking again, however Ciq bobbled the pass and it went to ground. With the half drawing towards a dreary, scoreless half Thran Forefangs emerged from the shadows, dodging and weaving through tackle zones for the score. 1-0 Downunderworld at the half.
The Downunderworld defensive coach could not be reached for comment on the second half opening drive. Freebooter Bomber Dribblesnot saw his bomb effort intercepted and returned for an early turnover. The disorganised defence melted away allowing T. Balls to cross midway through the half for the easiest touchdown of his career. 1-1.
Prior to the final stanza, the Erengrad apothecary was seen chatting to a couple of off-duty budweiser babes selling Downunderworld merchandise. His absence proved fatal for Jesse Homme, and unhelpful for the balance of the human team who started the final drive with 10 men, due to a variety of injuries and concussions. Seizing the initiative Downunderworld quickly clawed, fouled and surfed their way to a 4 player advantage.
With the line-in-sight, victory was at hand - when suddenly the human catcher Jorma Catching made a solo defensive play dodging through 2 tackle zones and blitzing the ball carrier. The angle of the hit left a mark on Forefangs, who will miss the next game, and unfortunately cannoned the ball into the crowd and back up field to one of the 6 remaining human players who took the catch. A shocking twist and heartbreaking for Downunderworld fans.
These moments are the ones that test the strongest of goblin, skaven and troll resolves - and the call was answered. Against the odds and with coaching options exhausted, Downunderworld was able to free up the ball and move it up-field to Irkut Firespine Jnr. Running as fast as his rabid legs could carry him, he crossed in the dying moments of the half. Final score 2-1 Downunderworld.
