Round 2

20 Jan 2025 - 02 Feb 2025

Round Two wound to a close as the new month was just getting started, so let's take a look at the action across the divisions...

In Division 1, young upstarts Sanguine Blade faced the well-seasoned Grave Rubbers. The Rubbers have a history of violence that must have left the lightly-armoured wood elves concerned for their safety, but any fear came out on the pitch as aggression with the Blade proving themselves more than willing to fight their way to victory. The first half saw a surprising number of injuries that the previously-dead failed to shake off, and though the Rubbers took the lead late on it wasn't late enough to stop the Blade from equalising before the whistle blew for half time. The second half saw the Rubbers dealing with the unprecedented as they lined up with fewer players than their weaker opponents, and the Blade took full advantage to score a second touchdown and claim the win.

The Badlands Debating Society took to the field for the first time this season as they faced the Dark Delvers in torrential rain. The weather made the game miserable for all concerned, leaving the ball too slippery to handle and the pitch soft with cushioning mud that kept the orcs from doing any real damage. Those fans that showed up were reduced to huddling in the stands, peering through the murk to no avail as the game ended in a no-score draw.

That puts Sanguine Blade solidly on top as the only team currently unbeaten, while the Dark Delvers point lifts them off the bottom for now. Next round, the Blade will be facing the Sokol Slaughters, fresh from their break and keen to find a point, while the Badlands Debating Society square up for a rematch with the Grave Rubbers and the Dark Delvers take time off to blow-dry their hair after their soaking.

To Division 2, where the only match was between the Kroppenbruck Crusaders and the Hammer Horrors. The first half was uneventful, with the Horrors opting for the classic slow grind down the pitch to score just before the whistle and no real violence on either side. The second half saw a little more action, with casualties on both sides including a zombie returned to the grave for good this time. Sadly for Crusaders fans, the Horrors took a second touchdown for a clean 2-0 win.

Everyone was hoping for good news from the Talabecland Thunder camp following their coach's injury, but sadly it was not to be. Despite the ministrations of the Empire's best apothecaries, or possibly because of them, the game against Bushy's Bonerattlers had to be cancelled and was resolved as a 1-1 draw. Fans across the league continue to hope that the Thunder will make a reappearance, if not later this season then at least in the next.

The Bonerattlers take the top spot with their free point, though doubtless they would have preferred to play the match, and the Crusaders languish at the bottom still hoping for a win. Next round sees them taking on the infinite teeth of the Blåhaj Blasts, while the Horrors wait to see if the Thunder will be match fit. With Bushy's Bonerattlers taking a break to work on those DIY projects they've been putting off for months, this could be an opportunity for other teams to sneak above them in the table.

Down in Division 3, the round started with the game between Durakdur Queensguard and the Mandalorcians. The dwarves brought new star tree Maple Highgrove to balance out the differences between the teams, and the orcs brought a goblin with his best spiky boots on. Gobbo Fett took every opportunity to kick dwarves when they were down, but the dwarves armour and tough skin proved too resilient for him to do any real damage. The dwarf deathroller also failed to make an impact, and was sent off at the end of the first half with no score on either side. A late injury for a blitzer put the dwarves two players down for the second half, and their woes continued when the orcs smashed a troll slayer and brought his career to a crashing end. A late touchdown sealed the win for the Mandalorcians.

The Acomb Transfusions were distinctly underpowered following their mauling by the dwarves last round, but they squared up to the Nevermore Ravens nevertheless. Their woes seemed likely to continue as the Ravens' Vargheist took a bloodseeker off the pitch, a thrall got a lucky hit on a khorngor and one of the last-minute linemen got caught kicking a player while they were down and was swiftly removed by the ref. Despite all of that they managed to steal the ball from the Ravens and score from defence. What remained of their team pushed hard for another goal in the second half, aided by the vampires getting hungry, but at the last minute the Ravens remembered what they were capable of and pulled off a dazzling play to literally stun their opponents, snatch the ball from deep in their own half and throw it to a thrall on the halfway line who sprinted for the endzone to grab a point.

That point keeps the Ravens at the top of the table, and lifts the Transfusions above the Renegade Masters at the bottom. Next round they fight each other to get back into the action, while the Ravens take on the Mandalorcians in the battle for the top and the Queensguard rest up and rebraid their beards.

At the bottom end, Division 4 kicked off with the Toofy Leapers taking on the Boomtown Rats. Another match played in the pouring rain, the skaven were hampered by soggy fur weighing them down and getting in their eyes, while the squigs were happy to bounce in all the puddles. An extremely one-sided game, the Leapers stayed true to their name and sailed over the Rats over and over to score an outrageous five touchdowns without answer.

Closing out the round, the Iron Price Raiders took on the Saratcens in a hard-fought match that quickly saw the dugout filled with unconscious and injured rats. Despite their reduced numbers the remaining skaven held on by their fingertips, twice managing to claw back an equaliser after the Norse took the lead. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, and the Saratcens will consider themselves lucky not to have suffered more permanent injuries.

So the Raiders hold the top with the Toofy Leapers having bounced up to second place, while the Saratcens' point puts them above the Nuln Oilers at the bottom. The Oilers will be trying their luck against the Leapers in the next round, while cheese prices will be through the roof for the all-rat affair of the Saratcens vs the Boomtown Rats. The Iron Price Raiders take to their ships for carousing and a little light larceny during their bye.

Round Three is now open for business and runs until 16th Feb. The midpoint of the season, these games could be crucial for determining who stays in contention for the promotion spots going forward!