Revengers' Tragedy 3-2 Revenue Stealers

Week 3: 16/09/06

The meeting between the two sides that dominated the ADF in 2005 at the newly domed Alpha Rats Nest saw the first home match of the season for the defending champion Revengers' Tragedy as they took on last season's semi-finalists the Revenue Stealers. Neither side's form this season has been impresive, both registering a draw and a defeat to date. The Stealers were surprisingly beaten by the Bomb Squad in week two while the Tragedy could only manage a draw against The Panzerbourne.

Bad Press for the visitors in the lead-up to the match was played down by the visitors, who received the opening kick-off. Pressing forward immediately, the drive was nearly scuppered from the off by a carelessly dropped banana skin that caused Ninja Xiao Xiao to stumble. Fortunately for the Stealers, the rest of the team had been following up effectively with Amazon Blitzer Schnoo Schnoo finding her way to the endzone and star thrower Johnny Bomb swooping on the ball in midfield. The Tragedy did appear to track the run of Schnoo but High Elf Blitzer Holden Webster's efforts to mark the Amazon ended when she blocked him in the end zone to the extent that he was carried from the field. Johnny Bomb's pass was on the mark and the early breakthrough was recorded by the Stealers.

The home fans did not have to wait long for a response. Bursting downfield in traditional five-point cage formation, Skaven Thrower Tor found his target, Wood Elf Lineman Penn. The Elf diverted all the way across field towards the end zone but was halted in his tracks by feelings of lurve. Fortunately, the fans in the Alpha Rats Nest were supportive and pushed Penn back onto the field in time to see Schnoo Schnoo stumble over in an effort to regain the ball. With Schnoo having failed to secure possession, Penn was able to recover and run the final couple of yards for the score. At the halftime break, the score remained one apiece.

A mass invasion opened the second half action and it was an invasion that took a serious toll on the Stealers. Key men Xiao Xiao and Johnny Bomb were both badly hurt by marauding fans. Despite the blows, the Stealers were nearly able to capitalise on a trick play that dazzled their opponents but Tor was crafty enough to have hid the ball as Stealers players flooded Tragedy territory. Rolling out to his right, Tor evaded the pass rush and connected with favourite target Kyle. The Gutter Runner had smooth sailing into the endzone.

Somewhat depleted in key areas, the Stealers following drive stalled badly in midfield mainly thanks to Landok. The Ogre who is often seen as a support player made a real impact having already removed two players from the field with crunching blocks but it was on this drive that his physical prowess was seen by all. Stealers Lineman Syd Butler had been tasked with carrying the ball in the absence of the more established ball-handlers and was clearly un-used to the responsibility as he held his hands low in an effort to protect the ball while the blitz from Landok came in high. His unguarded helm was clanged mightly by Landok and Butler dropped instantly. No longer having control over his faculties, the ball was released anyway. Wood Elf Lineman Penn took advantage to collect the fumble and run it in for his second and the Tragedy's third of the game.

Butler was in desperate need of medical attention but did not receive any as another mass invasion again hit the Stealers hard including a stubbed toe to the Apothecary that prevented him from attending. Syd Butler's career is now memorialised in the shrine. Despite running out of fit bodies, the Stealers still recorded a consolation touchdown thanks to a long pass from Schnoo Schnoo that fell into the arms of Tim Harrington and the Lineman evaded a couple of tackles to trouble the scorer for the first time in his career.

The 3-2 win was the first of the season for the Tragedy, inflicting a second consecutive defeat on the Stealers. The 7 Casualties inflicted by the Tragedy is the most in franchise history. During the match, Landok reached double figures in career casualties. Schnoo Schnoo has regained her position on top of the career receiving yard totals while Kyle has the new lead in career reception attempts, tying the top for career receptions. Numfar has passed by the 50 stands in a career mark, the fourth player to reach that milestone.

Tragedy Blitzer Luke missed the game due to a niggling injury. Harrison Hayner of the Stealers will miss the upcoming match with a fractured wrist. Recent signing Fabien Degravson has a 60% chance of making the match with the Rebellion due to a twisted elbow, while the Apothecary has an 80% chance of recovering from his stubbed toe in time for next week.