The Darkstalkers 1-3 Revengers' Tragedy

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Revengers' Tragedy were at The War Saw to take on their first cross-conference opponents, The Darkstalkers, still boasting an undefeated record in the South. The Darkstalkers had achieved a draw draw last time out in their first cross-conference game of the season. The team had managed 6 touchdowns in their last two games which is something of a turnaround given that they only managed only 4 touchdowns in total during their disappointing 2003 season. There was strong attendance for the game, a whopping 21,000 fans were denied entry due to the sell-out and showing the local interest in seeing a team from the South for the first time.

Having never seen each other before, the opening set-ups could take little regard for their opponent's tactics. The Tragedy were careful to ensure that there were no gaps in their spread defence. The lack of gaps didn't stop the home side though, the opening kick-off landed invitingly on the wing beside Skaven Blitzer "Sewer King" Screech Johnson. Johnson recognised the invitation when he saw it and created his own hole by blitzing straight down the right hand flank. Though he did have some cover, there were no blockers in front. Support, in the form of Gutter Runner Splinter failed to materialise thanks to an outstretched leg bundling Splinter over. With few of his team-mates in attendance, it was not much of a surprise that Johnson succumbed to the more numerous Tragedy. The player who made the hit was Amazon Catcher Sunday. It looked as though the defence had made the move that would end the initial drive but it was Screech Johnson who continued his strong run of form and recovered the ball.

Johnson did not hold on to the recovered ball for long. There was decent second phase play from both teams, the offense managing to get some bodies in the way but not enough to prevent Wood Elf Lineman Penn from breaking round and finding the right angle. Screech was forced into his second fumble in mere moments, the Tragedy showing decent ability to get a hand on the rock. Unlike Sunday, Penn was first onto the loose ball. The Wood Elf was in a somewhat exposed position though, stuck out on the wing with attackers pressing towards him. Recognising this, Penn attempted to dump the ball to Sunday but failed miserably. The quick pass was behind the Amazon and turned the ball back to the hosts. Splinter took the gift with both hands. The Gutter Runner latched onto the ball, burst free of the melee and made it over the line for the opening score.

Just over half of the first period remained following the TD so plenty of time for a response from the visitors. They squared up against a heavy midfield defence and an exceptionally deep kick-off. Skaven Thrower Tor was the player charged with retrieving it from inside his own endzone. Heading back through his backfield, Tor had time to assess the situation and wait for his team's play to develop. It began to develop down the right hand side, a hooked move wrapping round the edge of the defence pushed the defense around without inflicting any real damage. On the line of scrimmage, Ogre Blocker Landok was creating some damage with a knockout of Lineman Viryvan von Sted Jnr. The visitors were not able to remove many defensive bodies from the field but they were able to manouevre a couple of receivers into position. One of those receivers was Sunday. Tor fixed upon the Amazon Catcher, took aim and missed wildly. This was the cue for the big Kroxigor to motor into action, Fido "Crackabone" Muncher came roaring in but his blitz was a disaster and instead of clearing Tragedy players out of the way, he found himself on the wrong end of a hip throw and eating dirt himself.

Fido had not helped his team out and the ball remained within Darkstalkers territory. Lineman Krispin De La Richnoc attempted to recover position but the pressure was too much and he fumbled the ball away. That error was a serious one, Tor finally caught up with his own errant pass to take possession back. A hand-off later and Kyle the Tragedy Gutter Runner was off. The speedster struck a seam in what remained of the defensive positions to race through and equalise before time expired. There was no time for a response before the half, but there was time for Fido Muncher to take out some of his frustrations on Sunday. A big hit brought the half to an end.

A 1-1 draw at the half with both touchdowns scored by Gutter Runners. The half had been fairly even and neither side had established much control in the blocking game. Revengers' Tragedy medical staff earned their corn during the break by restoring Sunday to full health and enabling her to take her place on the field for the second half. As the game was still in the balance, each side would have looked for any advantage they could take into to the rest of the game.

The second half kick-off was a violent one from The Darkstalkers right into the center of the line of scrimmage and knocking down Ogre Blocker Landok. The ball rebounded from his thick skull and bounced short of the required kick-off distance. That meant a touchback and the handing of possession directly to Tor. The Thrower again showed his reading of the play by waiting for the attack to develop. A series of successful blocks on the line of scrimmage put the hosts on the back foot right from the off. That position was further emphasised by Splinter trying just too hard to rush the passer and falling short. The breaking of formation allowed the away team to begin pressing into what was still quite a small space. Kyle took over the running and was surrounded by a protective unit of blockers. Repeated efforts from Fido Muncher were not able to shift the formation and defensive support from Troll Slayer Igror Da Zkina was not forthcoming thanks to a lack of pace and over-exertion.

Their physical efforts not working, The Darkstalkers backed off a little. Perhaps this was an attempt at regrouping but it did not give them that opportunity. Kyle recognised the extra space instantly and took off. His rapid speed taking him away from those trying to chase him down and it was another score to take the lead for the Tragedy. They had managed to eat just over half of the second period in the attack and had seen their pocket withstand the blitzes of The Darkstalkers. It would be up to the hosts to respond and they would need to put it together in the same sort of time that they managed to score in during the first half.

Alec von Tasslebine the Thrower took the midfield kick against a spread midfield defence and elected to hold onto it while waiting to see what would emerge. That decision was a mistake. While Igror Da Zkina produced something, the Troll Slayer singling out Amazon Catcher Sunday for more serious beats, there were no gaps created and no options developed. Still looking around for something to latch on to, von Tasslebine was not aware of the rush bearing down on him. The rusher was Luke the Blitzer. The blitz came thundering in before Alec von Tasslebine was able to react. When it arrived, it was a huge hit. Luke flew himself almost horizontally at the Thrower connecting helmet to helmet. Alec's head-piece flew off, the ball fell limply from his grasp and he crashed down flat on his back. Luke did not take the time to look at his victim, instead getting up and collecting the ball. With concern for The Darkstalkers captain filling the arena, Luke could not care less and ran the remainder of the field to give the Tragedy an unasailable 3-1 lead. The concern for Alec was well founded. He never recovered from the tackle and took his place in the shrine. The fatality was the first for a Tragedy player and the second Darkstalker to die on the pitch, following Viryvan von Sted against the Mugaz in 2003.

The death cast a real cloud over the game for the home fans but the away support were loving it, having managed to inflict a fatality already this season. The business of Blood Bowl had to continue and The Darkstalkers had to receive a kick-off at 3-1 down and without their captain. It was a very difficult position for the team to be in and it was not one that yielded any success. The kick-off was fielded by Screech Johnson but his loan rush was ended by his compatriot, Tragedy Skaven Lineman Marti. A successful tackle was not followed up with any authority by either side and the game ended at 3-1 to Revengers' Tragedy. The win extends their undefeated streak to 4 games. As this is their first season, that means that they have never tasted defeat in league play. The win was well executed, The Darkstalkers could not defend against the Tragedy offense and the medical staff were able to cope with damage from the blocking unit. The Darkstalkers attacked well especially in the first half but their defence will still be called into question. Of far greater concern for this club is how well they will cope with the loss of their on-field leader for the rest of this season and beyond.

Injuries: None

Key Stats

Team	CAS	Rush	Blocks	Downs	Stand	Fum
Darkstalkers	2	13	37	17	27	7
Tragedy	1	51	39	27	9	0

MVPS: Viyvan von Sted Jnr, "Long" Pugh Bes

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