Weather: Haze
Gate: 35k
12,000 fans were turned away from the gates of Fabien Fields, a league record. The large crowd
can only have been because the Mutineers were in town. The Eastern
Conference leaders were comfortable 2-0 winners in Week 2 against the
Fabienettes but had suffered their first loss of the campaign last time out against the All-Stars.
The home side were looking to take advantage of that and the unnatural haze that yet again surrounded the stadium to
secure their position in the playoffs. A win for the Fabienettes would leave them needing only a single point in their
final game of the season against the winless Mercenaries to mathematically guarantee
qualification.
Even before the kick-off, blood was spillt. A handful of Mutineers fans ran onto the pitch and Badly Hurt referee Graham Poledancer. Replacement referee Michaela Stabb was called on and the game started without regard for the fallen official.
The Mutineers won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Fabienettes put up a deep defence and the front line was overwhelmed. The Mutineers blocked down what little resistance there was leaving High Elf Blitzer Savogand Thrall to take possession. The Elf headed straight down the middle as the away team favoured brute power over finesse. Even the smallest players on the Mutineers side proved too strong for the Fabienettes. Goblin Fester Rustblade Badly Hurt Fabienettes Lineman Dave "The Paedo" to record a surprise blocking casualty. Perhaps as a reward for the impressive physical display, Savogand handed the ball off to the Goblin and Fester struck towards the end zone. The home side were hopelessly overmatched in the blocking game and even this early on, the Fabienettes were clearly in trouble. Chaos Dwarf Zzharg Zzhargson recorded the second casualty of the game against Lineman Homo "Humator" Inferior while Amazon Linewoman Joanie Brawler fouled Wood Elf Thrower Fabino out of the game, inflicting a serious blow to the Fabienettes chances, taking out a major part of the home team's ball playing skills.
Having reduced the available playing staff for the Fabienettes, the Mutineers scored easily with Fester Rustblade running in for the opening score, his second of the season. With just under half of the first period gone, the Fabienettes were already up against it with the loss of Fabino for the remainder of the game. It was going to take something special for the home side to get back into the game but the coaching staff had something rehearsed for the occasion. The Mutineers were completely fooled following the kick-off by a Razzle Dazzle play. Wardancer Fabio took the kick-off and confused the defense with a spectacular play that left them all rooted to the spot as he raced through the away team's lines all the way to the goal line to equalise, In a stroke the game was level with everything to play for once again.
The parity didn't last long though. The Fabienettes were able to field just seven fit players for the next drive and the Mutineers made them pay. Knowing that time was running out in the half, Savogand Thrall took up play with the home team seemingly running from the attacking surge. Savogand was able to make relatively un-hindered progress while the blocking units got to work. Toxix the Wight secured yet another blocking casualty by taking out Goblin "Roy's" Girl. A devastating physical display from the Mutineers had secured five casualties in the first half. The Fabienettes had no response to the blocking and fouling power of the away team. What had promised to be a close battle between the top two teams in the East was quickly becoming a one-sided battering. Savogand Thrall confirmed the Mutineers supremacy at the half by moving purposefully through the backfield and over the goal line for a 2-1 half-time lead.
The Fabienettes set-up to welcome the second half and their intention was clear, personal survival. A kick to midfield was fielded by Orc Thrower WogWog. WogWog turned and ran towards his own line before passing further back with a completion to Norse Lineman Bob "The Hair". What remained of the team turned back to protect the ball carrier and shield themselves from further Mutineers assault. A couple of quick completions and further retreat later left the Fabienettes offense on their own goal line. The cowardly home players formed the tightest cage they could and waited for the blitz. It came from Dwarf Kerval Axebreaker who tackled WogWog, knocking the Orc out and causing the ball to bounce free into the end zone. It was a simple matter for Dwarf Runner Gunnar Gunnarsson to walk calmly over, pick up the ball and score the third Mutineers touchdown of the game and Gunnar's second of the season.
With ever decreasing numbers of players available, the Fabienettes gave up the pretence of caring about the ball. Still Chaos Dwarf Zzharg Zzhargson managed to pick up his second casualty of the game with a block on Goblin Roy. Not a single Fabienettes player attempted to retrieve the ball where it lay deep in home territory. Amazon Blitzer Boa Dicea was the first on the scene and had the simple task of running the two yards needed for the team's fourth score, tying the Mutineers record haul against the Mercenaries. The Fabienettes had only three fit players left, it would only be time that could prevent a Mutineers fifth. Norse Lineman Bob "The Hair" tried his best but his compatriot "Long" Pugh Bes dropped the attempted pass. Inevitably, Savogand Thrall was on hand to take advantage of the free ball in a relatively empty backfield to score his second and the team's fifth. The 5-1 scoreline is the second heaviest victory after the Junior Wildmen's 5-0 win over the Savages
A crushing victory for the Mutineers which confirms them as the top seeds heading into the post-season. It will be tough for any team to stop them in this kind of form. The Fabienettes were massively outmatched physically and will need some serious toughness training if they are to make the step up to the next level. A win in the final game for the Fabienettes is still likely to be enough to see them through to the playoffs as a wildcard but they had better hope they can put on a more impressive performance than this, they only managed a total of five yards rushing even if that figure is distorted by the cowardice of retreat.
Injuries: None
Key Stats
| Team |
CAS
|
Blocks
|
Downs
|
Rush
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabienettes |
0
|
23
|
14
|
5
|
Mutineers |
5
|
37
|
23
|
45
|
MVPS: Fabiano, Ernesto Boost
Best Players
Savogand Thrall: 2 TDs, 3 Rushes for 37 yards, 1 Block, 1 Down
Fester Rustblade: 1 TD, 1 CAS, 1 Rush for 6 yards, 1 Block, 1 Down
Joanie Brawler: 1 CAS, 9 Fouls, 9 Damage