Celestials Grind Out Tough Win Against Greenskins

Celestrial Comedy 1

Imthoron Elenelwa

OrcaLoca 0

Celestrial Comedy continued their fine form by winning their 3rd game on the bounce without conceding, simultaneously condemning their Orc foes to their first defeat of the season. Once more their defensive shape held firm to deny their opponents, whilst the lightning offense converted with consummate ease.

Imthoron dominated on both sides of the ball, and got the show started with a quick score.

The Elves started the game receiving kick-off and soon set about setting up for a quick score. The fans weren't amused by the idea of watching Elves passing, so an unscrupulous individual from the crowd threw a rock that struck and stunned Black Orc, Gabber Scassafacc.

A comedic unforced error by Galaron allowed the greenskins to mark the deep catchers, whilst Braduk Arapacap charged up the gut to mark the thrower. Unflustered, a long pass from inside the Elven half looped over the line of scrimmage into the grateful hands of catcher Imthoron Elenelwa, who slipped through his two markers for the hosts to race into a 1-0 lead.

Celestial Comedy have turned the passing game into an art form.

OrcaLoca dusted themselves down and begun the long offensive drive on their second phase of play, and they had to fight every inch of the way through the logjam in midfield. A disciplined Celestials defensive column proved a tough nut to crack and it neutralised the advancement of the orc cage.

But midway through the half, a glimmer of hope sparked as Srifac tackled Horthion to open a slight hole. The orcs poured through into an ugly melee that suited the roughness of the greens. The offence reeled as they saw veteran blitzer, the strip-balling Mongee, injured by Turin Noroos.

Neither side could capitalise on sacking their opponent mid-game.

Incensed, the orcs lost shape to allow scorer Imthion to sack from behind and cough the ball skyward, allowing Menanonon to sweep away with the ball. This began a series of hot potato challenges as neither side could retain control of the ball as the Elves held on to a slender lead entering half-time.

The second half began in similar vain, as the Orcs’ advance, who outnumbered the Elves by 2 players, was slowed by the stubborn defenders. The Troll used his titanic strength to shatter through the right flank and lead his team into a threatening position.

In a desperate last stand, Imthion fractured his arm to prevent a certain equaliser.

Things began to look desperate for the defence, as they haemorrhaged players. Imothoron, the scorer, was the epitome of self-sacrifice as he fractured his arm while knocking out the ball carrier, Srifac.

With the ball loose, panic set in the OrcaLoca ranks, and Gulliver – with the last act of the match – failed to break through his marker’s challenge and fell onto the ball, scuppering the visitors’ hopes of an equaliser.

Imthion's clever blitz coughed the ball out of play!

OrcaLoca will feel hard done by the result. Their mean defence was punctured for the first time in 3 matches, but it’s at attack where the team has struggled of late. They have as yet registered a TD. They will want to rectify that and return to winning ways from Season IX, if they have hopes for a playoff berth.

As for the Celestial Comets, another solid defensive display has anchored their strong start to their maiden campaign with 3 wins out of 3. They surge to the top of the leaderboard with 3 consecutive shutouts. Next up for the pointy-eared elves are the powerful Golden Eternals of Chaqua, who are in the hunt for blood and a playoff spot in the Quiçama Middlelands Superleague.

Losing Mongee was key to Orca's inability to threaten the ball.

Mango’s Valuable Player: Imthoron Elenelwa showed great attitude on both sides of the ball with a TD and two key sacks. Indeed, Celestial Comedy may miss his work-ethic as he injured himself in a match-winning tackle!