This match was greatly anticipated by the fans and almost 100 k had shown up in the fine weather to watch the batlle bewteen the two old death enemies. (At the time the 98 k was the season gate record). So far it was 1-1-1 between the two teams, each teams win had given them a 3rd place in the league. But DD had the biggest grudge on DE as they had killed their emerging star Rigor Mortis in their very first encounter.
And finally DD got the shovel under the elfs. Coming of a 2nd place in season XIV where the elfs had taken a season break, DD just had the upper hand. Although both teams had TR around 200 and both have participated in four seasons going on their fifth (with close to 40 matches each), DD had all the potency whereas DE has been troubled by many injuries.
This already showed up at the beginning of the match, where team kicker Caradhras Shadowwalker missed the match due to an old injury. So all the remaining 11 elfs had to be on pitch as DD kicked-off.
DD had setup a perfect defence, and the elfs felt they had to make an early pass, and this caused an turnover when Yaviere Elfbane failed the catch. Mad Max came blitzing in taking him down and grapping the ball. This blitz had been made possible when Ra took out Davian Darkseer with a pinched nerve, opening the dark elfs defence.
Mad Max was, however, alone with the ball, and when he was taken down, Daegar Deathspike took the opportunity to KO him in a foul. But the ref spotted this and send him off along with a furious head coach Astartes.
Nothing worked for the elfs, and even though the ref showed he would not put up with anything by throwing Xorn out when he BH Candela Bloodmoon in a foul, the ball was soon captured by DD, and with KO after KO and a final fouling SI (groin strain) by Argos on Youran Wraithblade, only 4 elfs where left on pitch when Lex Liche scored for 0-1 in the last turn of the elfs receiving half.
Of course Argos was also send off, but it was some good exchanges DD made, and Mad Max came right back in after his KO, whereas only 2 elfs came back leaving 6 elfs to kick to 11 DD players. (In “only” 6 fouls 4 players were send off!)
The fans were furious (DD’s on the ref and DE just on the world) and both teams were hit by rocks thrown from the crowd. One player from each team were stunned including Mad Max who was supposed to be the designated ball carrier.
The ball ended in the corner of DD’s EZ where Sinistra Dextre had to get it. DE attacked down pitch, and in the second turn Yaviere Elfbane pulled of the move of the match when he dodged through tackle zones and went for it to take down the ball carrying ghoul single-handedly putting his TZ on the ball.
But it proved to be all in vain as Mad Max were up again and in a blitz action he made a dodge and could hence push the thrower away and bring the ball back to relative safety. After a quick turn over by DE he then managed to put the ball into a safe cage, and some turns later Lex Liche was handed the ball so he could score in the final turn for 0-2 making him the Wight of the day (MVP). He hence became a true BB star and has now learned to strip ball.
Both teams earned 50 k and DD’s fans increased but at least not on the expense of DE.
The score is now 2-1-1 for DD and they paid a little back for Rigor by niggling a rookie line elf.
