Underearth Assassins 0
OrcaLoca 0
Exiled Underearth Assassins returned to the field of play but left the field in wonder as to how they managed to leave without registering a win. Numerous opportunities were carved in the first half by the Dark Elves but all were squandered as nerves took their hold.
QMLS stadium organisers were once again under the spotlight as unruly fans were left unchecked on kick-off to maraud the pitch and beat 7 elves to a pulp before the action had barely begun. The impact clearly disorientated the offensive drive of Underearth as they failed to take their chances.
Underearth, receiving the ball, hurried to reorganise their lines to protect against the perfectly short kick. Without opportunity to block, the elves disengaged and showed a new form of blood bowl with a quick handoff and pass to keep the ball at bay.
It was unfortunate, then, that Gedlil spilt his attempted catch, which invited the greenskins to press forward. Danger-orc, Braduk Arapacap, charged toward the ball and set up an ugly wall where the ball landed. The Assassins were faced with the dire position of conceding early, which was only prevented by some bravado by Gedlil, who atoned for his earlier handling-error.
Nonetheless, Mongee the orc Blitzer successfully popped the ball loose by landing a sweet blow on to the ball carrier. There were no elves left standing!
If there is one lesson to learn from this encounter: an elf on the ground is still capable of producing magic. Gedlil produced a scintillating piece of creative skill as he scooped the heavily marked ball and handed off to team-mate Lanrion, who in turn lobbed the ball to Talbrior. In a blink of an eye, the attack sparked to life and the Underearth Assassins were on the verge of scoring their first touchdown.
Talbrior was mere inches away from breaking the deadlock, but hesitantly took his chance and instead bellowed his fellow colleagues to form a loose cage. Undeterred, Srifac the Orc thrower playing deep safety pressed on regardless and managed to mark the ball carrier.
OrcaLoca where chasing shadows, but showed great endeavour by rushing back to force the elves to make dodges, and their persistence was rewarded as a forced error opened the door for Bifulc to slalom through the weakened cage and shoved the elf off-field. The spectacular hit saw the ball rocket skywards and land back at Underearth’s half. The blitzer had pulled off a match-saving sack on Talbrior.
The Assassins recomposed themselves and had one last throw of the dice at the end of the half, but the much anticipated long pass did not materialise to the jeers of the home crowd.
A worrying lack of bloodshed frustrated the crowd, but what was missing in violence was more than compensated by two sides playing a strategic game of cat-and-mouse. The second half began with an exquisite punt that forced OrcaLoca deep to fetch and protect.
A collective defensive display from the Underearth Assassins denied any easy yardage for the attack; nonetheless there were tentative moments as the Orcs managed to construct a gap on the right flank. Lineorc Gulliver raised a cheer in the stands as he connected with a sweet left hook to kill key Elf Blitzer, Hithnaen, and knock out another to send the quiet visiting fans into a delirious chorus!
Both sides jostled for position, but neither side could make the critical break-through as the game petered out to a goalless conclusion.
In his post-match response from Talbrior regarding the short-term effects of the pitch invasion that had knocked him on the ground, and whether it affected his decision to run into the end-zone, he said, "I’m not sure what you're taking about? I was about to score and the half time whistle went didn’t it?
The fans are certainly making an impact in the first round of games in the QMLS. Will that devastating run continue?
Mango’s Valuable Player: Bifulc the blitzer once again showed his key qualities with a highlight reel thunder strike for a game-saving sack.
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