KoPite MuGaz 2-2 Junior Wildmen

Weather: Nice

Gate: 35k

Having both picked up home wins in their opening games, both the Mugaz and the Wildmen were riding high on confidence, neither having really been troubled in their opener and this was reflected in the full house at Puddle Dock. The Wildmen, as pre-season conference favourites were expected to pose a far tougher test than the Savages for the Mugaz who stood top in the West after the first round of games. As it turned out, the match was keenly contested with neither side willing to give in to defeat. A first draw of the season left both sides still undefeated and both still with dreams of glory in this innaugural season.

The game began at a high pace. The Mugaz received with Arda the Dark Elf Thrower taking the ball in the backfield and scooping it on to Aaaarne "The Launcher" his Norse compatriot. The Wildmen were predicted to lead the league in violence thanks to the largest front line since the long gone days of the mighty Pugh. Having been seriously out-blocked against the All-Stars the Wildmen blockers were again slightly off the pace as the game began around them. With the Mugaz sweeeping past on their left flank, the Wildmen were forced to re-organise defensively. Their intimidating blockers lumbered into action with Treeman Woody Wildman becoming the first to inflict a casualty by seriously injuring Lineman Kinochit.

The casualty wasn't enough though as the away team were just caught cold by their opponents. Aaaarne continued unchecked when a neat play to protect the ball saw fellow Norseman Sami "The Hoop" take over possession just long enough to hold off a desperate blitz from High Elf Speedy McSpeedy before handing back to Aaaarne who ran in for a score un-opposed. The action had been fast and deliberate too fast for the Wildmen's defensive line which was breached with ease by the Mugaz Norse assault. The Mugaz fourth touchdown of the season and Aaaarne's third didn't seem to rattle the Wildmen who retreated to their receiving positions and waited for the next kick-off with just over half of the first period left to play

Things did not look bright when the kick-off came for the away side as Human Catcher Mr Cock Knocker added to his four fumbles in the game against the All-Stars with a spillage of a simple lying ball. A bold attempt to take advantage by Sami "The Hoop" ended unluckily when he trod on a mine! An enquiry was launched after the game by the Mugaz coaching staff who roundly criticised the ground staff for failing to adequately brief the home players on the exact locations of subterranean devices. Speedy McSpeedy the High Elf Catcher was the one player placed close enough to take advantage by pouncing on the ball and heading to the protection of his blockers. The Mugaz circled back in defense looking to sure up any gaps in the line and hold the Wildmen attack at bay. They seemed to be achieving their goal when Speedy disappeared in a blur only to reappear within touching distance of the Mugaz end zone. Later analysis showed the elf had somehow managed to step through a Time Warp to pass through the defensive line to the bewilderment of all in attendance.

Having passed the defense, there were no Mugaz close enough to stop him walking calmly in to score the equaliser with little time left in the half. There was no further significant action in the half which ended one apiece. A draw at half-time favours the team that kicked-off the first half as they are first to receive in the second so have the first opportunity to further trouble the official scorer. The Wildmen set about taking advantage immediately on the kick-off as Amazon Thrower Lisa Furykup made her first contribution to the scoring efforts with a quick pass out to the scorer of the equaliser, Speedy McSpeedy. Once again though, the blocking squad seemed slow to respond the restart, allowing Lineman Luciferase through to put in a tackle on Speedy. With the ball bouncing free and a series of failed blocks, even the staunchest of Wildmen supporters must have been contemplating the worst.

The game changed with one action. Minotaur Horny Wildman threw just his third successful block of the game on Mugaz scorer Aaaarne "The Launcher" Badly Hurting the Norseman in the process and leaving a small gap on the left hand side of the Mugaz defence. McSpeedy regained his composure and control of the ball and attacked the gap. Sami "The Hoop"'s desperate attempt to cover for his missing compatriot ended in failure when he stumbled and fell to the ground and could not prevent the Wildmen's ball carrying procession to rumble pass. McSpeedy kept himself protected behind an intimidating shield of a Troll and a Minotaur, a shield that the Mugaz could not break down. The only breakthrough for the Mugaz came when Mummy Mumraaah struck Wildmen Troll and team captain Mr Wildmen Seriously Injuring him in the process. It was not enough to stop the attack though as Speedy ran in for his second score of the game to take the Wildmen into the lead for the first time.

With less than half of the second period remaining, the Mugaz would need to replicate the attacking prowess they had shown in the first half. Once again, it was Arda who took command at the back to pass out to the waiting Sami "The Hoop" on the flank. This time, the Wildmen were ready for the assault with Speedy McSpeedy on hand to hit a tackle to a hushed silence from the usually supportive crowd. They need not have worried though as Arda took the ball in the second phase of play and spiral another perfectly placed pass to Human Lineman Fullerene who had made a break through the backfield in anticipation of Sami's arrival. Finding himself with no support and in enemy territory, Fullerene struck out for the end zone. The only defender who responded to Fullerene was Lineman Mr Big Balls. Unfortunately for his team, Big Balls lost his footing as the treacherous surface struck again. With Mr Big Balls failure, Fullerene ran in the fourth score of the game to tie it up at two all as time ran out.

A draw left both sides undefeated though both could feel hard done by to some extent. The existence of a time warp allowed the Wildmen to level it up before half time. The Wildmen for their part will be concerned with the ease with which they were cut apart defensively. Both sides clearly depended on a handful of players to determine their play and it came as some surprise when Fullerene, a Lineman turned in a score.

Injuries: None

Key Stats

Team	CAS	Rush	Blocks	Downs	Pass
Mugaz	1	23	28	20	14
Wildmen	2	34	36	16	2

MVPS: Luciferase, Mr Cock Knocker

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