The Western conference kicked off today with the Sanguin Corsairs facing off against the Pembroke Crusaders.
Pembroke were up for the challenge early executing a blitz action, and used the opportunity to strengthen their defensive stance as they reshaped the line. The Dark Elves responded well to the challenge knocking down several Crusaders players, before the Bretonnians struck back with an early knockout themselves. Under some pressure, the dark elf runner, Sulgy, opted to accelerate the play for an early score. 1-0 Corsairs.
After the reset, the crowd were very animated. They invaded the pitch knocking out 3 players on either side. Pembroke handled the ball well after play resumed, but struggled to protect the ball carrier. Forced to blitz out of trouble, the noble knight went down hard (double both down, reroll into double both down). That left dark elf blitzer Terondan free to dodge past the last defender and scoop up the ball. 2-0 Corsairs.
If the crowd were upset after the first score, they were riotous following the second and several minutes of the game were lost. Both teams exchanged blows. Though looking the more likely, the Crusaders did not bother the scorers and went into into the break still trailing by two scores. During the half time break the team loaded up on refreshments, allowing inspirational hot dog vendor Kuergen Jlopp to give a few words of encouragement to the team.
The half-time pep talk clearly worked a treat. William Marshall led the team efficiently to score early in the second half. It was a well worked play with the Bretonnians committing numbers to the Corsair's right flank. They eased past the dark elf defense without much trouble, and the comeback was clearly on. Corsairs lead cut to 2-1 with plenty of time on the clock.
At this point the Corsairs sought to shut down the game employing a seven man cage in midfield. The ploy worked for a while, and time time ticked by. However, the Bretonnians continued to press for any advantage and found an opening. Struggling to clear their corners, the Corsairs were forced wide late in the half and exposed to a blitz. Fumbling the dump-off amid plenty of friendly players, the dark elves did recover fairly easy and surged up the wing to secure the win. With the game beyond them, the Bretonnian's somehow managed to dodge clear to make the saving tackle and force a second dump-off. This time the was taken cleanly by Dhybzith, who had one remaining defender to beat and a short sprint to the inzone. Nuffle laughed at the attempt casting a snake-eyed curse over the closing moments of the game.
Final score: Sanguin Corsairs 2 vs. Pembroke Crusaders 1. Corsairs take an early lead in the division.
On the injury watch list dark elf linewoman Urlokh took the worst of it suffering a fractured skull. The Corsairs will surely be hiring an apothecary for the next game. For their part, Pembroke did not emerge unscathed either with match MVP Fulk out with a smashed hand - very possibly aggrevated by the heavy attention said hand paid to Urlokh's head!
