Congratulations Hashutites and EcuKhemrical for winning their respective Conferences! The hardwork has only just began as 12 becomes 8 for the Playoffs. Will there be upsets in the Quarters? Can anyone stop the mighty Chaos Dwarfs?
The MiddleLands Conference went to the final game of the season to resolve the ever important 4th spot. And what a showstopper! Dwarverhampton Wanderers and LT's Metal Heads played out with full pride and passion, leaving no quarter. It was an incredible end to a fine regular season and will stay long in the memory!
Meanwhile in the Quiçama Division, defeat of The Warpstone-Union sealed the top 4. Sweat could be seen on the bows of the Lizardmen from Chaqua, but some crafty skink manovers guaranteed back-to-back wins - the preseason favourites are hitting form at the right time of the season.
1. EcuKhemrical Matters (↔1)
Won 1-0 vs Darklands Resurrected
It was a classic grind from the ever-bullying Tomb Kings. The win was won in the first half after dictating the line of scrimmage when defending that induced a fumble. It took four attempts to get the ball under boney control, however, a sign of their difficulties in playing with perceived heretical modern technology.
2. Hashutites (↔2)
Won 1-0 vs Mega Smashers
The reigning QMLS champions were almost embarrassed after some self-inflicted errors against the unfancied Ogres had the Chaos Dwarfs scrambling to save the game. It took the fine work from privileged slave, Ögedei, as safety to craft a win from nowhere. Nonetheless, the march of the Chorfs stretches an incredible 16 undefeated games.
3. Underearth Assassins (▲4)
Won 3-2 vs Kouillus
An explosive offense from both the Underearth and their Skaven opponents could not be separated in the first half, but the telling combination of super-agility and some rodent misfortune won the day. The game flew by with both sides trading touchdowns like confetti. With some better luck, the score would have smashed the all-time record of 6 TDs in one game. It may be possible that a rematch may happen - both teams lead the charts for TDs scored.
4. Kouillus (▼3)
Lost 2-3 vs Underearth Assassins
Kouillus scored twice for the 3rd game in a row, but this time it was not enough to stave defeat as they saw the Dark Elves pull off a last minute stand and shutdown the rapid rats. The squad grows in confidence, however, and they will feel that they'll be able to score past anyone. Indeed, the furried rats scored two 1-turners in the first half! Should they manage to shut out teams they may, with the blindlingly fast Scalpkut, win the championship!
5. Golden Eternals of Chaqua (▲6)
Won 2-1 vs The Warpstone-Union
Nerves of the Cold-Ones were frayed after falling behind at half-time, only to turn the tables with 2 quick TDs to secure safe passage into the quarter-final bracket. The team were facing a slim risk of elimination, but the array of talented skinks, once again, came to the rescue to steal the ball and return a quick-fire counter. It seems the Lizardmen are destined to fight every inch of every game. Not to be underestimated.
6. Lochaotic Rotten Posse (▼5)
Drew 2-2 vs Mersey Scythe
The Posse breached the endzone twice for the first time in their QMLS franchise history and it sets up for a fascinating encounter against the free-scoring Dark Elves in the first round. In a game of unwanton violence a fair share of TDs, the match petered out into a procession knowing that both teams made safe passage knowing that earlier results went their way.
7. LT's Metal Heads (▲10)
Won 1-0 vs Dwarverhampton Wanderers (Concession)
It took an extraordinary set of circumstances for the perennial QMLS Escapologists to dig themselves from sure defeat to booking their seat on the cruise-ship to the quarter-finals! Neither side could breach the enzone with both performing heroic last-ditch stops. A fine steal, however, virtually teleported the Metal Heads into a mass frenzy off-field.
With the ball brought near midfield and most of the dwarfs laid supine, the disturbances in the stand was too much to contain and a flood of head-banging Metal Head faithful gushed onto the pitch bringing the game to a standstill. Nothing like this has ever been seen in the QMLS! The referee brought the game to a halt before he and his motley crew of assistants fled the scene and the Wanderers coach, deep down knowing that defeat seemed inevitable, stood forward to concede the game.
An incredible gesture of sportsmanship that will fill the dwarfen halls with bittersweet sentiment. It was the right call. But grudgingly so.
8. Mersey Scythe (▼7)
Drew 2-2 vs Lochaotic Rotten Posse
Necromantics continue to ships TDs in defence and end the regular season with the most touchdowns conceded. The Scythe are also the only team that qualified with just 1 win to their name, such has been their defensive troubles. It's an onimous sign as they will be up against the juggernauts from Hashute in the first round. The draw, however, against the Nurgle, showed the killing potential of this side though - recording two confirmed kills. They may need more than that if they wish to progress though.
9. Dwarverhampton Wanderers (▼8)
Lost 0-1 vs LT's Metal Heads (Concession)
The Wanderers ended their return to the QMLS with a well-fought battle deserving of any play-off game. The Dwarfs showed their mettle in defence when 3 players short they managed to crush their opponent's offense and force the ball carrier off field. The trouble, however, was that the Metal Heads returned the favour and stopped Dwarverhampton from securing the point needed! With just a draw at stake, the Dwarfs will be kicking themselves for letting a great chance for glory slip away.
10. The Warpstone-Union (▼9)
Lost 1-2 vs Golden Eternals of Chaqua
Another brave defeat saw the entertaining Underworld elimiated in the group stage after a late rally from their lizard opponents turned the tide. It seemed that the underdogs were in with a good shout of pulling an extraordinary win out of the bag, but they didn't have the legs to escape the attention of the speed demons. It ends a thunderous campaign where the Union out-shredded all but the 2 Conference Winners!
11. Mega Smashers (↔11)
Lost 0-1 vs Mega Smashers
The Bone-headers were one dodge away from a glorious upset that would have set the league alight and give them faint hopes of a playoff spot. But that moment of misfortune would catalyse the Hashutites into action and grab a win. The Ogres will feel aggrieved as they saw their Mega Smashing Thunderball™ do dilly-squat. A refund would be in order.
12. Darklands Resurrected (↔12)
Lost 0-1 vs EcuKhemrical Matters
Darklands played their finest in defence to deny the league's former top scorers from converting their offensive drive. Dagg the Unfortunate showed his value with a splendid stalwart performance in the centre. It was in offense, however, where the team fell apart, as the flanks collapsed to Tomb Guardian pressure - they weren't the first. The season may seem a disaster, but no team beat the Undead by 2 clear TDs. Much like the Orcs from last season, the results never matched the performance!
Results:
Ecukhemrical Matters 1 (Howard Sternum)
Darklands Resurrected 0
Mango's Valuable Player: Howard Sternum was the unlikely hero after his escapades at the death of the first half proved the game-winner. Even humble unskilled skeletons can dodge, pickup, run and go-for-it to make a name for themselves.
Mega Smashers 0
Hashutites 1 (Bultar the Great)
Mango's Valuable Player: Fharikk Deadface led the clawed trio in damage dealing that allowed his more illustrious teammates to secure the win. He's been the star of the Blockers this season.
Underearth Assassins 3 (Odium Shadowstrike, Hethmair, Vogon)
Kouillus 2 (Scalptuk 2)
Mango's Valuable Player: Hethmair turned in a star performance to set up all 3 TDs with an accurate display of finesse. His four completions seemed destined for the annuls of Underearth legends, but he also threw 2 picks that tainted his offensive display.
Golden Eternals of Chaqua 2 (Oatlgorit-tlu, Tenqtilt)
The Warpstone-Union 1 (Knerlitch)
Mango's Valuable Player: Nurgable Nager showed why the Underworld were great entertainers this season with another devastating contribution with 2 casualties caused and 2 KOs. The powerful Storm Vermin may lay claim to being amongst the best killers in the QMLS!
Mersey Scythe 2 (Duncan Ferguson 2)
Lochaotic Rotten Posse 2 (Bazinga 2)
Mango's Valuable Player: Steven Gerrard once again did the heavy lifting in midfield to keep the Necromantics in the game. The wolf's claws sliced through 4 rotters and outright killed another.
Dwarverhampton Wanderers 0
LT's Metal Heads 1
By Concession
Mango's Valuable Player: Fleshgod Apocalypse the newest Blitzer in the Metal Heads rank turned heads with a dynamo display. He caused injury to 2 guardian longbeards and caused another KO to open gaps in the heavily armoured dwarfen defence. A player to keep an eye on for the future.
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