Scarbringer Savages 1-2 Junior Wildmen

Weather: Drizzle

Gate: 36k

36,000 fans turned out in the rain to see the last game of the season for the Savages and what could well be the last for the Wildmen as well. Even if the Wildmen win, victories for the All-Stars and the Fabienettes in other Week 8 matches will mean elimination for the pre-season Conference favourites. The Savages have nothing to play for except pride that was badly damaged last time out against the Wildmen in Week 4. The Savages have lost the last four in a row but undoubtedly their performances have grown stronger as the season goes on. When there is nothing to play for, a good performance is as powerful for morale as a win. That won't be the feeling in the away camp where the expected successes just haven't materalised. A loss last time out against the Mugaz at home and a draw while hosting the Dolts have put the entire season in jeopardy. Having won four of their first five, the Wildmen will be left kicking themselves if they don't qualify for the playoffs.

The weather took a turn for the worse as the players filed out to storm clouds overhead and rain lashing the playing surface. The Savage Lands have seen their fair share of rain this season particularly during the Week 3 visit of the All-Stars. The conditions clearly affected the opening kick-off. The Savages received, facing a powerful front line with strength out wide but could not gather the ball in cleanly. "Fur" Tooth the Skaven Thrower and team captain fumbled his first attempt to pick up the ball and it squirmed free dangerously. The Wildmen could not take advantage, perhaps the sodden field was too treacherous for the lumbering blocking unit to make an impression. Still, the home team had to regroup deeper in their territory than they would have liked. "Fur" Tooth was not able to reach cover before the Wildmen caught up with him. Horny Wildman the Minotaur lowered his horned head and blitzed. The Savages were ready though and completed their now trademark Screen play. "Fur" Tooth dumped the ball off before he was hit and the angle of attack was changed.

With the Screen having worked and Stinky the Skink now in possession, there was good protection for the ball carrier. The protection did not last for long, Skaven Blitzer S'lip D'isc was caught nastily by Wildmen Lineman Mr Jeffrey. D'isc was injured by the block and unable to continue. Undettered, the Savages continued upfield at pace led by Stinky. One player who had not picked up the pace of the game was Wildmen captain Mr Wildman the Troll. He was still firmly on the starting blocks which was just where he needed to be to stop the attack. Mr Wildman looked up just in time to see Stinky hurtling towards him. The 7ft Troll blitzed the 4ft Skink and tackled the ball free, stunning Stinky in the process. It was just a momentary setback. "The Claw" a Rat Ogre and player who has dramatically under-performed all season collected the ball from under the noses of the Wildmen and showed a remarkable turn of speed. The away team could only look on in awe as The Claw showed what he is truly capable. Blitzing his way through what remained of the defensive lines, The Claw inspired the home team and their supporters. Lineman "Steely-Eyed" Sam picked up a Casualty against his opposite number Mr Large while The Claw ran in for the score with ease.

The supporters were ecstatic, the first lead for the Savages since they held it twice in the 2-2 draw against the Mercenaries in Week 3. The Wildmen could not believe what was transpiring. Just 4 weeks ago, the Savages took a 5-0 beating but were proving far more difficult to defeat this time round. The restart saw the visitors in a business-like mood. Almost before the kick had landed, Mr Wildman connected with the opening Casualty of the drive against "Steely-Eyed" Sam. High Elf Catcher Speedy McSpeedy was in possession and it looked like the Zerg was on again. It was on faster than anyone could have predicted. Moving at what appeared to be the Speed of Light, Speedy shot through the Savages ranks. Some wizardry must have been in use as surely no-one is capable of moving so rapidly. Before the drive had really started, it was 1-1. Speedy had travelled so fast that no Savages players were able to get anywhere near him.

The equaliser was collected with such speed that it seemed to rock the heavens themselves. The rain came down in increasingly heavy doses, leaving everything drenched by the storm. Neither team could put a firm hand on the ball due to the extreme weather conditions. The game degenerated into a brawl and that favours the Wildmen. Horny Wildman the Minotaur contributed the only meaningful action in what remained of the half by injuring Dark Elf Blitzer Sirius. 1-1 at the half just as it was in the Wildmen's last game. Just as then, it was the Wildmen to receive in the second half. In Week 7 it was intervention by a Chaos God, in Week 8 they were facing a Rainstorm. The way the season has gone for the Wildmen, they must surely by now expect the un-expected.

The rain made a serious impact on the opening plays of the second half. A series of fumbles left the ball loose and led to the inevitable scramble. It was in this scramble that perhaps the key play of the game was made. Horny Wildman blitzed "The Claw" right out of the game leaving a huge hole in the Savages game plan. Combined with a further two knockouts, it was sheer brawn that was turning the game in favour of the visitors. When Wildmen Catcher Mr Cock Knocker finally took possession of the ball, he had only six defenders opposing him. After putting up such a valiant battle in the first half, the sheer weight of the Wildmen's blocking game had battered the Savages into submission. Mr Cock Knocker found no difficulty in picking a gap in the over-stretched and heavily blocked defense. All that was left was for the violence to take its toll. It wasn't blocking but fouling which yielded the final two Casualties of the game. Wildmen Halfling Mr Small put the boot in on Savages captain "Fur" Tooth while Stinky the Skink took revenge by stomping directly on the Treeman Blocker, Woody Wildman. The Treeman was only revived hours after the game, his slow metabolism preventing a potentially life threatening blow.

With no defense left, Mr Cock Knocker had no problems in picking up the winning touchdown. This was the fifth time this season that the Wildmen had scored two touchdowns in a game but will it be enough to see them into the playoffs? They will have to rely on either the Dolts to defeat the Fabienettes or the Mugaz to do likewise against the All-Stars. If neither happens it will be back to the drawing board for the Wildmen as they prepare for 2004. The Savages have been looking towards that season for a while now but they once again acquitted themselves well and should look to make a stronger challenge for the post-season in 2004.

Injuries:

None

Key Stats

Team	CAS	Rush	Blocks	Downs	Fumbles
Savages	2	22	27	18	5
Wildmen	5	34	46	126	5

MVPS: Sirius, Shrimp

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