Referee | Weather | Gate |
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Haze |
65k |
Tabard Delight, champions of the expansion ADA South, took to the field for their first post-season match against the veteran KoPite MuGaz. The Mugaz franchise had been built on the success brought to it by head coach Hydemonster until his move to the Delight at the start of the 2006 season. This Wildcard Round match was the first time that the Delight head coach faced his previous charges. Perhaps it was the tension surrounding Hydemonster's return but whatever the cause, a Mass Invasion just prior to kickoff turned things against Delight straight away. Suffering one Casualty but more crucially having team fulcrum Tristan Flyte knocked out and not recovering during the match put the visitors in pole position right from the off.
A slow, pounding, ball control offence ground the Delight defenders down, whittling away numbers and never once giving the home team a sniff of the rock. Without much seemingly able to stop the Mugaz, Salogel Litefoot burst from the pack to race over the line for the opening score. The touchdown did give Delight enough time to mount a reposte but it was not to be. Attempting to drive the ball back through the ground game, Doku Stench did manage to penetrate into a threatening position until he was tackled hard by Pete Dodgson with a hit that shook the ball loose, broke Stench's leg, and ended the meaningful play in the first half.
With even fewer tools to hurt the Mugaz with, Tabard Delight tried to play a looser game in the second period. Evading tackle zones rather than taking on the blocker, their hopes rested with their smallest player in Noberly Prescott but he too was unable to make enough ground. Despite suffering a casualty of their own and having players needlessly sent off, the Mugaz conrolled the remainder of the game until eventually taking it out with a long pass from Edorath to Oyvind Stravenger waiting in the end zone. Delight advance through to the Quarter Finals.
Edorath now has 50 career SPPs.
Doku Stench suffered a broken leg and Rafael Rebelo went off with a stomach injury though both should be recovered in time for the start of the 2007 season.
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