Round 4
11 Nov 2024 - 24 Nov 2024
Round Four has wrapped up on time, and even more surprisingly, here's the Roundup also on time!
Starting at the top in Division 1, Huanchi's Jungle Rumble played host to the Badlands Debating Society. Both teams were a little underpowered from their encounters in the previous round, but it was the orcs who were in slightly better shape and they proved it out on the pitch. A touchdown late in the first half gave them the lead, only to immediately lose it again to a sterling piece of work from the Rumble's star skink, who sped across the astrogranite to immediately equalise. Sadly for Rumble fans, that was the highlight of their game as the Debating Society responded with violence, taking out a skink and a saurus before scoring twice more to seal the victory. The Rumble Kroxigor ensured a Big 'Un won't see the last match of the season, but otherwise the game was done.
The other game in the top division came between the Grave Rubbers and the Dark Delvers. A fierce display from the Rubbers saw two elves killed in the first half, and though the Delvers managed to hold on to score they found themselves down to just seven active players and facing one of their own resurrected to play for the opposition. They refused to be counted out, however, and opened the second half by launching themselves off the defence to steal the ball and grab another touchdown. The Rubbers didn't have enough time to answer, and though they managed to pull one back the win went to the elves.
So to the last game of the season, and with the Rumble drawn against the Bright Jugglers their time is over and leaves them firmly at the bottom of the table. The Badlands Debating Society take on the Grave Rubbers, with a victory for the orcs guaranteeing them the championship, while the Dark Delvers meet the Sokol Slaughterers with both hoping to snatch the title at the last minute.
In Division 2, the Blåhaj Blasts took on the Sauerapfel Sausage Rollers and their usual contingent of stars. An early block from the Blasts saw a treeman given a particularly nasty chopping that will leave him even slower than normal, and they scored right before the half-time whistle. More halflings were broken in the second half, but they managed to claim an equaliser to end the game 1-1.
Top of the table Sanguine Blade took on the struggling Nevermore Ravens on a very sunny day, and perhaps buoyed by their first victory of the season the Ravens started well and removed several elves in the first half, slowing the Blade's offence through judicious use of their mesmeric powers, though they were ultimately unable to prevent the elves from scoring. The clouds rolled in before the end of the first half, and the heavens opened in the second half to give a downpour that should have hampered both teams equally. Elves are elves, however, and despite their reduced numbers and the weather they managed to steal the ball from the Ravens and score a second touchdown, ensuring they will move to the top division next season.
Finally, the Cripple Peak Craprats travelled to the Acomb Transfusions for a game that saw violence on both sides, though the only skull offered for the Skull Throne came from a journeyrat who must have regretted volunteering to play. Skaven agility ultimately won the day with a single touchdown all that was needed.
With an unbeaten run Sanguine Blade's spot at the top of the division is secured, but in their final match the Acomb Transfusions will be fighting to get off the bottom and avoid relegation. Sauerapfel Sausage Rollers face the Nevermore Ravens with both teams again looking to secure the points they need to keep in the middle, and the confirmed second-place Cripple Peak Craprats take on the Blåhaj Blasts, with the Blasts also needing victory to hold on to third place.
To Division 3, and the Kroppenbruck Crusaders' game against the Blaa Korks. An extremely wet match held in the pouring rain, the Korks came out swinging and ruined two of the Crusaders' blitzers early doors. Grak the Renowned got himself carried off with a broken nail rather than risk the vengeance of the Crusaders, but he needn't have worried as the humans seemed unable to hurt the Korks in any way. One of their catchers soon went down, and the game then descended into a filthy mess of kicking and shoving that saw several players evicted for unsportsmanlike conduct. But the Crusaders should never be counted out, as in all the excitement the Korks forgot about the ball entirely and what was left of the Crusaders took it across the line for the win.
The Hammer Horrors faced the Nuln Oilers in a game of two halves. There was little to write home about in the first half, beyond a couple of casualties and a late touchdown for the Horrors, but the second half saw the Horrors take full control after clearing a dwarf blocker off the pitch and run in two more touchdowns for a very convincing 3-0 victory.
Lastly, the Talabecland Thunder took on Minor Threat on a swelteringly hot day. The game was unsurprisingly one-sided, with snotlings taken out at every opportunity. The Thunder notched up a massive 12 casualities, and suffered only one in return, and that plus three touchdowns has left the humans extremely well positioned going into the final match.
All is still to play for with just three points separating first and fourth place. The Crusaders at the top will hope for an easy time against Minor Threat to ensure their supremacy, while the Blaa Korks will be aiming for a win to take them past the Hammer Horrors and the Thunder look to hold onto the promotion spot with a win over the Nuln Oilers.
And down in Division 4, the Mandalorcians were at home to Bushy's Bonerattlers. The orcs brought Bomber Dribblesnot for a little extra firepower, and he proved himself early with a swift casualty, though nothing the Bonerattlers couldn't walk off before the next drive. Otherwise the match went much more towards the Bonerattlers, with multiple goblins carried off the pitch and the undead finally remembering to score a couple of touchdowns late in the second half.
It was rat vs rat as beleaguered Rottenham Hotfur took on the Boom Town Rats in another wet match. Hotfur have had an extremely troubled season with a number of deaths, but this time despite losing one of their last-minute drafts early on they managed to keep themselves together as they finally faced a team as breakable as they are. Boom Town took an early lead, but the Hotfur rat ogre managed to focus long enough to remove an opposing blitzer in exchange as they ran in an equaliser. And as the game progressed Hotfur grabbed a second touchdown and killed Boom Town's star blitzer to boot. Evidently they've learned a thing or two about how to hurt skaven from their opponents this season.
So the Bonerattlers are unassailable at the top of the table, with no competitive games left for them this season. In the fight for second place, the Mandalorcians take on the bottom-of-the-table Boom Town Rats, and the Orksha Rippaz get their chance to mangle Rottenham Hotfur.
The final round runs until 8th December, so it'll all be over in time for Christmas!