| Referee | Weather | Gate |
|---|---|---|
Nice |
48k |
A first cross-conference match for the so far unstoppable Hotspur Hacks took place with the visit of the Principals. The Hacks were a perfect two wins from two games going into the fixture including a surprise 5-2 thrashing of the Punchers last time out. The Principals were narrow losers to the Missiles in week two. The previous form between the two sides favoured the Hacks as the Punchers were victorious in their match against the Missiles.
Despite getting the jump at the opening kick-off, the game did not begin auspiciously for the home team. Amazon Catcher Valentine Kelly out-rushed the offensive line to try and claim the ball as soon as it was kicked off but her pass was errant and merely allowed the visitors to begin their drive without disruption. Referee Filip Don was also engaged early, sending off Garside "The Great" behind the play as the Principals drove down their right hand flank. Forming a tight cage, the ADF South side rolled on slowly despite Hacks players throwing themselves in harms way until eventually a space formed for the franchise's top scorer Rudolf Nureyev and the Wood Elf Catcher was gone, untouched through the backfield to open the scoring.
With little time left in the half, the Hacks were unable to respond on the scoreboard though High Elf Lineman Sparrow Keane did begin to impose himself on the game with a great hit on Amazon Thrower Mina Murray that required some supernatural healing to recover from. Keane's next act was not quite as successful as his attempted pass fell comfortably into the outstretched hand of stunty Skink Huckleberry for the interception that ended the first period.
The Hacks fans attempted to help out their side at the start of the second half with a mass invasion that injured Troll Blocker Hardcore Scree. With the big man out of the lineup, the Hacks offense drove successfully downfield in no time with Sparrow Keane concluding a decent run with a pass into the end zone caught by the team's top scorer so far, Scoop Sopwith. Despite Hardcore Scree's return to the field for the next drive, the Principals were unable to mirror their opponents as Mina Murray failed to connect with a waiting Rudolf Nureyev in the Hacks end zone and they had turned the ball over to be punished spectacularly. Sparrow Keane moved seemingly at the speed of light to race downfield and make another pass. This time the target was Valentine Kelly who had been waiting in the Principals half just in case the Principals decided to squander possession. Kelly was unopposed in taking the team into a 2-1 lead.
With time ticking down, the Principals returned to what they do best, a grinding cage that looked to set Rudolf Nureyev free. The Hacks had clearly seen it coming but despite throwing all their defence around the cage, they could not prevent Nureyev from dodging through the tighest of gaps and ending the game with his second score to leave it a 2-2 draw.
Milestones reached during the game included for Mina Murray who now has exceeded 100 career rushing yards, and for Rudolf Nureyev who has dodged 50 tackles in his career.
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