The greatly expected re-match between the teams from last seasons most watched game (the consolation match) had again drawn a season record crowd. The 109 k fans watched an epic battle that resulted in the first ever tie for Deadly Doom, as a releaved Astartes saw Roxanna Redvenom tie the game in the final turn. Considering Astartes great gameplay throughout the match it would also have hurt him alot if she had failed!
Seen acros the entire match both teams where quite lucky to score their TDs so they both accepted the result with some relief.
The many fans enjoyed the nice weather, but top thrower Marek and dirty player Narmacil the poisener failed their nigglings (palmed coin had really no effect here though. Both had a 1 within their normal niggling roll, and the other 3 nigglings made it through, as did the two from DD. And the low hcp Grudge match is useless without get the ref).
DD recived but had a hard time getting anywhere due to the briliant coaching from Astartes. Also it was a huge setback when already in turn 2, first Benno Brausekopf II was SI in the crowd after Candela Bloodmoon frenzied him out and second Caradhras Shadowwalker BH Geleb Reanimated clearing the right part of the pitch from DD players. This was, however, an even trade for the KO on Roxanna Redvenom made by fouler Argos.
The rest of the half DD had the ball caged with The Green Ghost who was only once seriously threatened but he managed to stay on foot and a change of sides saw the elfs outsmarted with one turn to go. But a fantastic series of go for it and dodges (using up the briliant coaching RR), nevertheless left the pitch pretty closed for DD.
Luckily Eata Corpus new what to do, and when the elfs around him were cleared away The Green Ghost handed him the ball, and he made a crucial leap over the suprised elves (using a RR!) and then a final go for it and the score was 1-0 by Eata Corpus. And then the 63.000 DD fans cheered the las turn of the half...
Although only eleven elves began the match, they were still able to field a full team for second half, but also the two injured zombies was back again after regenerating.
DD seemed to be seeting up a perfect defence, but when Caradhras Shadowwalker (again) made a BH, this time on guard wight S. Finxter, it did not seem so perfect. Especially not next turn when Candela Bloodmoon (again) frenzied a zombie out for a BH (second time Geleb Reanimated was BH this match).
Extravagante was a little extravagant using up RRs on hands off and passes between elf linemens and the thrower (once even fumbling the pass into the hands of the thrower!) but they managed to keep the ball well guarded. And when finally DD made a go for the cage, it just left the pitch even more open, and soon the elfes where halfway down the pitch.
But suddenly mummy Ramses the 5th went beserk, first BHing Eldrik Darkblade, and then he broke a tackle into the cage, and took a hit on Yaviere Elfbane, only to se him dump-off the ball to Shovah Hellfire! The mummy did not even get the thrower down in 4 dices!
At this point Astartes made his only mistake. Although it seemed like a good ide at the time to let Caradhras Shadowwalker (him again) push out yet another zombie (BH again! this time on Benno Brausekopf II who had already regenerated a SI), it was not! Too feew elfs were left next turn to guard Shovah Hellfire who was alone with the ball at the end zone trying to stall one more turn. So when Caradhras Shadowwalker, finally, made a mistake falling in a 3+ dodge, then a path was opened for a DD attack.
It took five 2+ rolls (without using the RR) but then it was a two dice block, and Shovah Hellfire was stuned by The Green Ghost. However, the ball bounced to the endzone out of reach. Finally skelly Brill got up, dodged and made two go for its, to get in the way of Roxanna Redvenom, the only elf who could now reach the ball.
After the blitz she still neded two dodges and a pickup (without the RR used in the failed passes!) to get the TD. As the second dodge came up on a 1, Roxanna Redvenom needed to roll 2+ two times in a row to score, but she managed this and tied the game 1-1.
In DDs last turn a perfect defence from the elves did almost not leave anything to hit on, and the game was finished without any permanent damage to either side, although only one of three regenerated for this last turn they were all only BH. Geleb Reanimated was the one who regenerated, and it was his second time this match.
The BH elf Eldrik Darkblade learned block on his completion, and Benno Brausekopf II who got the MVP (for regenerating a SI?) learned tackle to block.
Both teams only earned 30 k each and their fans stayed with these two very popular teams!
It was a wierd game were the elfs injured the undead (although mainly the crowd did the work making 3 cas in 3! push outs) making 5 cas and no KO! vs 1 cas and 3 KO. DD could not get the elves down (even 6 dice failed to produce and one time it took 9 dice to get a blodger down) but the undeads did alot of dodging making at least 3 with AG 2 players and alot with other players, never falling over once on a dodge - wierd :P
For both teams this was an important step towards the play-off, but whereas Extravagante seems all but sure to move on, DD still needs a win...
