A high scoring round of games saw records broken and drama at every turn. New faces joined some familiar ones, whilst the Underearth Dark Elves qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since Season V of the Amateur Era (some 20 years ago).
Both MDC and QDC Champions, Hashutites and EcuKhemrical Matters respectively, remain undefeated this season and avoided each other in the draw. And the new Skaven outfit, Kouillus, continue to impress with their brand of one-turn blood bowl.
What a start to the post-season!
Scalptuk Sinks Cold Hearts of Chaqua With Over-Time Hattrick
Golden Eternals of Chaqua 3 Kouillus 4 (Over-Time)
Oatlgorit-tlu Scalptuk (3)
Seabhacsuil Iklut
Selfura du Soleil
The cold-hearts of the Lustrian reptilians sank as star gutter runner, Scalptuk, woke from slumber to score and complete his hattrick - the first time a player has scored more than 1 hattrick in the Quiçama Era.
It was a sensational start to the Quarter-Finals that pitted the speedsters of lizards and rodents together. Between them, 7 incredible touchdowns were scored in a thriller that ran deep into overtime and smash the QMLS record for most touchdowns in 1 match! The game ended 2 TDs a-piece at the end of regulation time after a late surge from Scalpuk, who once again showed his weight in gold, with another TD rush from the halfway line.
Indeed, the Golden Eternals of Chaqua were unable to shake off the furry gutter runner and always found themselves pegged back as soon as they had taken the lead. The lizardmen managed to get in front on 3 separate occasions, only to see Scalptuk heroically equalize.
With bodies strewn across the pitch and in the infirmary, it seemed that the rats had succumbed to attrition, but their removal of all but 1 skink was instrumental in creating gaps of their own which ultimately swung the game.
It would take either an error or some brilliant luck to break the deadlock. Kouillus had both and more for the winner! Opportunity struck as the rodents sniffed a blitz on the last, and isolated, skink, as Iklut, the lesser-known runner, sacked the ball carrier.
The ball popped into a scrum covered with prehensile tails and tackle-zones, undeterred, the big-handed Skaven thrower picked up the loose ball and lobbed 3 defenders with an awful pass! The ball, however, bounced into the grateful lap of an unmarked linerat to scarper away, ball in toe, to set up Iklut for the winner.
Mango's Valuable Player: Scalptuk kept the Skaven in the race with an indomitable hattrick - the first player to score two hattricks in one season in the Quiçama era. The team that manages to stop this talented Gutter Runner may just be the champions of this season.
Tomb Kings Rise To Occasion In Knock Out Thriller
Ecukhemrical Matters 3 LT's Metal Heads 2 (Over-Time)
Cairo Practor Lord Dying
Ptashut Tabra Lamb of God
Eugene Nix II
EcuKhemrical Matters made it to their second successive semi-final after bashing their opponents into submission. It was a display of raw power that pulverised the Metal Heads into submission.
The Khemri outfit worked their bones off to climb back into contention after some fine delaying tactics from the Humans, who survived a punching contest in the early stages. But as soon as the Matters turned on the heat, there was no choice for Isis to bomb one of his signature throws into the hands of Lord Dying.
Time in the first half was pressing, and it seemed that EcuKhemrical would fail to equalize before half time due to an out of character act of eagerness from Tabra to run beyond his support. His naivety was punished, only to see Shai the Tomb Guardian in position to catch a fumbled pass and hand-off to Practor to bring the game level at the interval.
The second half, however, was a brutal procession through the heart of the Metal Head's defence, as the Tomb Guardians chewed through and left just 3 defenders standing by the end of regulation time. Tabra, this time, was under instruction to keep safe inside the cage and he duly delivered.
It seemed the contest was over, but the fans at the stands were determined to keep the entertainment and bloodshed gushing and a riot ensued. The match officials, confused by the clock turning back time, continued unabated which allowed an incredible late TD from Lamb of God to end regular time all square at 2-2.
The equaliser was a bittersweet moment, however, from LT's Men as it allowed the Khemris to possess the ball and continue their pummelling. There was a sense of inevitability about Eugene Nix's winner after the humans fast ran out of defenders to stop the killer third.
Mango's Valuable Player: Shai was the anvil that the rest of the team worked through. The Tomb Guardian crushed all in his wake through the centre of midfield, which allowed his smaller teammates to create gaps to exploit.
Bultar Rise From Dead To Win For Hashutites
Hashutites 2 Mersey Scythe 1
Ogedei Tim Cahill
Bultar the Great
Bultar the Great survived death from a crafty crowd surf to return to the field and puncture Mersey Scythe's ambitions for the Championship. It was a classic encounter that neither side could dominate, but Hashutites survived the scare and prevailed to secure another semi-final appearance in the QMLS. In doing-so, the Hashute faithful witnessed the undefeated streak stretch to 17 games!
The tried and tested Chorfen armour forged by the finest Daemonsmiths were for the first time in two seasons unable to withstand attack. Albeit, the superior craftsmanship withstood a third consecutive act of wizardry from the skies. Ogedei surviving the lightning bolt allowed the Chaos Dwarfs to march forward with near impunity.
In a closely-fought contest, no inch was spared as neither side dominated the scrum and relied on speedy flank attacks, whilst the fight for the ball was a glorious brawl! Mersey Scythe lost cornerstone players Dietmar Hamaan and Steven Gerrard early, which placed a major burden on the Werewolf Tim Cahill.
The great pup rose to the occasion with his mighty claws slicing through the legendary Chaos Dwarf steel. But was also his unfortunate slips at the end of each half that allowed the Hashutites to bookend his TD.
The winning touchdown was squarely blamed on the coaching staff of Mersey Scythe, who persisted in the obsession of fetching the ball. Drawn to the scent of the leathery rock, the Necromantics were positioned to break through the left flank and harass the deep kick. What transpired, however, was the ball bouncing off-field and the resultant touchback handed to Bultar the Great. In that position, the legendary Bull Centaur made no mistake to send the Hashutites through in a memorable encounter.
Mango's Valuable Player: Tim Cahill led will feel aggrieved to be on the losing side after a splendid virtuoso performance almost turned the tide in a fine murderous battle. Two surfs and a TD was scant consolation for the defeated werewolf.
Assassins Roll Back 20 Years To Secure First QMLS Semis
Underearth Assassins 2 Lochaotic Rotten Posse 1 (Over-Time)
Hethmair 2 Fityz
Underearth Assassins recorded a hard-earned quarter-finals win against the new Nurgles of Lochaotic to set up their first semi-final appearance since Season V of the Amateur Era.
The Triumvirate of super agile elves were key to unlocking this very difficult matchup as they harnessed their incredible agility to reach places beyond most mortals. Indeed rotting corpses weren't able to go there either as the Rotten Posse could not get past the halfway line in the first half.
With the scores level at the interval, the Dark Elves grew in confidence to chalk up a rapid touchdown with the genetically gifted Hethmair twins combining for yet another untouchable passing play.
Time was against the Rotten Posse and once again they struggled in midfield to break through the stubborn Elven defence. But the Nurgle had a trick of their own and impressed with their version passing the ball! Joe Pestianich threw from inside his half to reach the sole deep threat, Fityz, who scored an unbelievable touchdown to end regular time 1-1.
Underearth were 3 elves short at the start of overtime, but with the ball at hand, the elves shone. Once again, the Hethmair twins and Salina Darkstrike combined to end the contest with their trademark hand-off and pass play and send the Assassins to their first-ever semi-final appearance in the QMLS Era.
It will take some effort to prevent these elves from scoring at will, and to prevent them from stealing the ball. We may just be looking at the Champions Elect.
Mango's Valuable Player: Hethmair the Blitzer scored the brace to bring back days of glory to the Underearth.
Semi-Final Draw:
Hashutites vs Underearth Assassins
EcuKhemrical Matters vs Kouillus
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