In the battle of the corsairs, today the Well Rounded ones didn't fancy their chances too much, and only 5,000 fans made the trip compared to 15,000 home supporters of the Sanguin team. Those who did join witnessed an epic encounter.
Winning the toss, the Human side elected to receive and worked a drive up the left flank. The Dark Elf defence was well organised and offered no breathing room what so over. With the clock running down quickly after an early riot, the Human side took a more aggressive approach commiting more players to the line. It was expected and the assault repelled with ease by the Dark Elf side, who sent 5 players from the field due to heavy hitting. The pressure eventually told and the Human's cracked, turning over the ball.
There was still work to do however, before Nedeelea broke free with the ball and made the key hand-off to Rylryl for a late score. Beatrice Bovin (who Pro rolled a Triple Skull) looked the best player on the park for the Humans. The whole Dark Elf squad was looking very good. Sanguin Corsairs 1 - Well Rounded Corsairs 0.
With their season on the line, the Humans had to rally, and rally they did. First off their budweiser babes were put to get effect, restoring 2 players and the Apothecary did his part resurrecting an early casuality. Bolstered by a reserve bench featuring Puggy Baconbreath the Humans were able to field a full squad of 11 players for the defensive drive.
With renewed vigor the human side Blitzed and immediately recovered the ball. It was one of many tense moments as virtually the entire second half played out in the Dark Elf half. On hand for the first save, a dark elf blitzer, #9 Dhybzith - a tackle specialist, tipped over the catcher to recover the ball. Things looked secure for only a moment, before the Humans renewed their pressure.
Under pressure from Bovin and missing a key dodge, the Dark Elves left an opening and a blitz action from the Human side forced a dump-off. An experienced leader, Sulgy cooly made the pass, however it was dropped by a receiving Dhybzith. With plenty of Dark Elf tackle zones around the ball, it looked secure before Puggy himself broke on to the ball and audaciously picked up and dodged away. Again that #9 was on hand to make the save and recover the ball, though this time he was completely exposed to the Human side.
In the scuffle that followed, both sides committed to the ball before it eventually bobbled into the hands of Sophie Saint-Denis (Human blodge catcher). Tied down in tackle zones, the Human's had a chance to draw even, but could not break her free. Even so, in the ensuing play it took no less than 11 blocks to bring her down (with one 3 dice reroll in hand!), but bring her down they did. Recovering the ball Sanguin Corsairs moved it quickly upfield and out of reach - though they did not have time to convert on their drive. It was the only time the side crossed the halfway line, and represented the sixth turnover of the half!
In an exhilerating finish, Sanguin Corsairs hold on for a 1-0 win in the derby. The well rounded coach of the Well Rounded Corsairs was proud of his team's effort, though dim hope remains of a play-off birth. Asked after the game about his reaction, the Sanguin coach noted that his team will put "special emphasis" on the Guard technique before their next match up.
