Weather: Drizzle
Gate: 26k
A light drizzle permeated the thick air of Fabien Fields as the Fabienettes took to the field to face Conference rivals the Dolts. For both teams it was a must win game. The Fabienettes only points of the season so far came in week 1 against the Mercenaries. Two subsequent losses including to Conference leaders, the Mutineers have left the Fabienettes trailing in the playoff picture. Only a win would really do for the Dolts as well. Having also scored just a victory over the Mercenaries, only three points would put the self-proclaimed favourites back into playoff contention.
Despite the importance of the game for both clubs, only 26,000 fans made it into the stadium to watch the game. This marks the first time the Fabienettes have not sold out a home game. Those supporters who did make the effort witnessed a 5 Touchdown thriller. The early initiative went to the home side when they won the toss and elected to receive. Both teams rely on speed to score and recognising this, the Dolts went for an unusually deep defensive formation. The Fabienettes are so far not renowned for their blocking prowess so perhaps the Dolts felt comfortable in reducing their forward line knowing that it was unlikely to be under threat from a physical assault.
The early action was marred by sparked into life by a pitch invasion. The visiting support drove onto the pitch, taking out Fabienettes Lineman Homo Erectus and Goblin "Roy's" Girl. The violence made the mood even more tense as the Fabienettes began play while the last of the invading fans were swept from the field. The tension in the air even seemed to affect the referee as she sent off Dolts Lineman Rob "Bitch" Lanc for the first foul of the game almost before play had begun in earnest. 9 men vs 10 and the ball had not yet even moved forwards. The importance of the game was clear for all to say when Dwarf "3 inch" Wonder took possession, handed off to Thrower Fabino and attempted to throw a block for his Fabienettes collegue. The blocking attempt failed miserably as "3 inch" slipped and fell while over-exerting himself.
Perhaps sensing the danger that could follow from 3 inch's fall, Fabino picked up the pace. Spotting a run down the right flank of the defence from Wardancer and team captain Fabio, the Thrower launched an immaculate pass to his skipper who dodged away from the advancing Dolts and leapt into the end zone for an early score to settle the nerves of the home side. The touchdown had come from nowhere and emphasised the quick strike potential of the home team. The scoring threat of Fabio was missing against both the Mutineers and the All-Stars through injury and it was clear from the first play what a difference the Wardancer can potentially make. Defensively, the Dolts were never really close to laying a hand on the fleet of foot Fabienettes Elven strike force.
Forming a deep defensive unit with plenty of cover in the backfield, the Fabienettes once again only put up a token gesture of defiance on the front line. The Dolts took up the running with Wood Elf Catcher Salina Black. The speedy Elf has the absolute pace to outrun most players in the league but even the fastest players are vulnerable without protection. Fabienettes Orc Thrower Wogwog found himself in a deep enough defensive position to get hold of Salina, bringing the Wood Elf down and wrenching the ball free from her grasp. The counter-attack was on and it was the same Fabienettes as had conjured up the opening score, Fabino and Fabio who were well placed to make it count. With the ball at his mercy, Fabino took up possession, took aim and spilled the ball embarassingly where he stood. The throw failed to materialise and the Dolts had the opportunity to take advantage. Ghoul A'Argch was the leading ball handler in range for the away team, he dodged away from tackles and put in an amazing effort to attempt to snatch the ball away from Fabino's tackle zone. He failed. The ball bounced free and Fabino breathed a sigh of relief.
The entire game seemed in the balance. The outcome of the struggle for possession between Fabino and A'Argch could well end up deciding the eventual result. Both players had an initial effort to break free but both were forced into fumbles by the presence of their rival. Neither player managed to gain the upper hand over the other until the support players came in. Dolts Snurg "The Great" and Sven Andersson and Fabienettes Bob "The Hair" tried in vain to influence the outcome of the struggle. Fabio's efforts were not in vain. The Wardancer dodged in and stole the ball away from its prone position. Showing fantastic ball handling, the Elf evaded numerous tackles and ran in for the second score of the game and the last play of the first half.
The flair play of the Wardancer had clearly been missing in the Fabienettes losses against both the Mutineers and the All-Stars. The Dolts seemed to have no answer to Fabio's ball handling, speed and balance. Two quick strike offences had met in the first half and the Fabienettes were 2-0 on top. The Dolts needed a response and quickly to get back into the match and to save their so far disappointing season. The 2-1 defeat to the Mugaz seemed to have shaken the away team's self-belief, the team were desperate for a response and simply could not afford another loss.
It was up to the Dolts skill players to respond. Witch Elf "High" Lady Venice was the first to step up but she didn't make any impact at all. Norseman "Long" Pugh Bes broke through the Dolts lines to take the Dark Elf down. Fortunately for the away team, no other Fabienettes were in a position to take advantage having set up in a deep lying defensive formation. A'Argch the Ghoul cleared out the Fabienettes from the vicinity of the ball, took possession and passed out to Orc Blitzer Smack. The orc represented an entirely different offensive threat from that of Salina Black in the first half being more durable and less easy to bring down but slower. Still, Smack possesses some pace and took on the Fabienettes defense head first. The lower speed of the attack proved an advantage to the Dolts as it meant support players could throw blocks. The somewhat hastily contrived offensive plan worked perfectly. The Fabienettes failed to lay a hand on Smack throughout his passage through their backfield. A well worked team score to bring the game back to 2-1.
Some of the home support displayed obvious signs of tension as the threat of a comeback was on. The tension wasn't apparent in the Fabienettes ball handling unit. Orc Thrower Wogwog took the kick-off and completed a pass to Fabino. Once again, a flank attack from Fabino and Fabio was on the cards. The Dolts wheeled back to mark Fabio but this time it was Fabino who sped down the wing. A great play from Dwarf "3 inch" Wonder saw him throw a crucial block to take one tackler and stand guard against the possibility of any more. One lone lead blocker was enough for Fabino. The Dolts goal line was breached yet again and any hope of a glorious comeback was quoshed. 3-1 and over halfway through the second period. There was no way back.
The Fabienettes response was a good deep kick and then extreme casualness. The defence seemed more intent on trying to secure a casualty against their bitter conference rivals than stopping the score. Salina Black was given a free run down the wing and not a single defender bothered to respond. The Wood Elf picked up her fourth touchdown of the season and a consolation as time ran out.
Neither team can be truly pleased with the way they defended. The first game to yield five scores and only one defensive stop meant that the Dolts failure to score in the first half was enough to give the Fabienettes the victory. Both sides offer outstanding pace and some truly skillful ball handlers but the game was won by a defensive tackle from Orc Thrower Wogwog. To be genuine contenders, both sides must surely look to patch up their defensive frailties and find some way to prevent the opposition scoring.
Injuries: None
Key Stats
Team
Fabienettes
Dolts
MVPS: "3 inch" Wonder, "High" Lady Venice
Best Players
Fabio: 2 TDs, 2 Rushes for 13 yards, 1 Reception for 7 yards, 2 Blocks, 1 Down, 3 Dodges, 1 Fumble
Fabino: 1 TD, 4 Rushes for 26 yards, 1 Completion for 7 yards, 1 Reception for 4 yards, 1 Dodge, 1 Stand
Smack: 1 TD, 1 Rush for 14 yards, 1 Reception for 2 yards, 5 Blocks, 3 Downs, 1 Dodge