Weather: Normal
Gate: 40k
The highest gate of the season was not enough to satisfy the public desire to see the Mutineers final regular season game of 2004. 2,000 fans were turned away with the home support seeing their time into the post-season with style. Just one loss so far, against the All-Stars, and top seed for the playoffs is a great return for the pre-season league favourites. The Mercenaries have not had such a strong showing. Just one point salvaged against the Savages and even a win would not push them out of a wooden spoon finish. The Week 4 matchup between the sides finished 4-1 to the Mutineers and their form looked onminous for the visitors, a 5-1 mauling of the Fabienettes in the previous game. All the signs were in place for another hammering.
For all their shortcomings, the Mercenaries had managed to score last time out against the Mutineers and had very little to lose so could go all out to cause an upset. Against a slim front line and double coverage in the deep, the Mercenaries still tried to launch their traditional assault from the opening kick-off. Team captain Alec von Tasslebine received possession and completed a pass to the left flank where Splinter, the Gutter Runner, was waiting. With his usual haste, Splinter set off at pace evading multiple tackles but as usual it came to nothing. The Gutter Runner over-reached himself and stumbled over a loose piece of turf. A familiar story for the Mercenaries but the tactics have not changed all season. This time, fortune favoured their 'bravery' slightly as the crowd threw the ball back onto the pitch and straight to Peln'taro, the Dark Elf. Seeing no reason to change the strategy, Peln'taro spiralled a long pass back to Splinter who recovered from his fall in time to retake possession in a dangerous position downfield.
The Mutineers haven't had four straight victories for nothing, Splinter was alone and a perfect target for a big hit. Savogand Thrall, the High Elf Blitzer and team captain was the one to lay the beating down. Splinter was punished for daring to venture so far into home territory, a vicious shoulder charge knocking him out and leaving the ball free far from any Mercenaries player. With attention focussed on the ball, few noticed a mean block on the line of scrimmage from Orc Rip Sorepain which Badly Hurt Igror Da Zkina the Troll Slayer. Despite being light up front, first blood had been drawn by the home side.
Savogand Thrall took up the running for the Mutineers and everything seemed to be going to plan. Even against the weakest of teams, nothing should be taken for granted in Blood Bowl. Joanie Brawler the Amazon was sent off for a low blow and Savogand once again showed that he does not have a vice like grip when carrying the ball. Peln'taro was not brushed aside by the counter-attack and slipped passed a total of four players before launching a sucessful tackle of his own to knock the ball free and stop the Mutineers in their tracks. For all Peln'taro's heroics, the rest of the team were just not playing up to his standards and could not claim possession back. The Mutineers surged in at the second phase, clearing out the entire defense so Savogand could once again take up the running and open the score.
For all their dominance, the Mutineers had only just managed to run the Touchdown in before the half time whistle came. Leading at the half is always a pleasure, particularly if the opposition had received first. Still, the Mercenaries, particularly Peln'taro, were putting up slightly more resistance than was expected. A bad kick from the away team gave away any initiative the Mercenaries may have had going into the second half. Goblin Fester Rustblade was granted possession from a touchback and didn't let the Mercenaries get close. A series of crunching blocks on the line from Kerval Axebreaker and Zzharg Zzhargson, the Dwarf and Chaos Dwarf pushed out any possible resistance and whittled down the number of Mercenaries players left on the pitch. Fester can't have believed his fortune to see an open field and not a single defender on cover. Without any problem whatsoever, the Goblin ran in the Mutineers' second score of the game and Fester's second of the season.
WIth Splinter not on the field, the Mercenaries still went for exactly the same tactic. This time it was Cre'atarin the Amazon Catcher who received following Alec von Tasslebine's completion. She went exactly the same way as the Gutter Runner. A couple of succesful dodges and over-exerting leading to the ball being coughed up to the Mutineers. Once again, Savogand Thrall was the greatful recipient. This time there was no heroics from Peln'taro, the backfield was entirely open for an easy score. Perhaps in frustration, Mercenaries Black Orc Blocker Krump Forznit struck at referee Hobnail Vainmouth. The official had no qualms in taking the hit, laughing at it and ordering the Black Orc from the field. There was no time for any further play, the game ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Mutineers. They will be pleased with the ease of the game ahead of the playoffs. The Mercenaries again tried but were just without any meaningful strategy. Their fans will be pleased the season is over.
Injuries: None
Key Stats
| Team |
CAS
|
Rush
|
Blocks
|
Downs
|
Passing
|
Fumbles
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutineers |
1
|
49
|
42
|
27
|
0 |
3
|
Mercenaries |
0
|
25
|
13
|
6
|
10 |
6
|
MVPS: Zzharg Zzhargson, Trevor Da Trevor
Best Players
Savogand Thrall: 2 TDs, 4 Rushes for 28 yards, 2 Blocks, 2 Downs, 2 Tackles, 2 Fumbles
Kerval Axebreaker: 13 Blocks, 10 Downs
Peln'taro: 2 Rushes for 7 yards, 1 Completion for 7 yards, 1 Block, 1 Down, 1 Tackle, 5 Dodges, 2 Falls, 1 Fumble