“Game 2 of Season XVII

Tough & tense game. Despite losing some key players in their first Premiership game the Orcs still look formidable to me with their MB tacklers. The Crash played well with a number of players having good games and they deserved a draw and would have had one, if not a win, had they taken the TD when it was available late in the first half instead of choosing to stall for a turn. Hindsight is a wonderful thing of course but the single tacklezone I managed to get on Pyle Drivah was enough to cause a failed dodge and a missed chance for the Orcs to go into the break 1 a-piece and recieving in the second half.

We scored quickly early on and defended well in the first half. The Orcs had trouble putting the sidesteppers down and couldn't get any of the riders off the field. We engineered two successful blitzers on the orc ball carriers but weren't able to recover the ball. Some of their plays were remarkably elfish in retrieving the ball and passing successfully under pressure. The deserved a score and would have got one but for Pyle Drivah marring an otherwise splendid game by failing that one crucial dodge.

Second half was a bit more dour and the orcs started to put the hurt on. They scored comfortably enough and we were backpedaling for the rest of the half while in possession. They had us under pressure and looked set to turnover the ball and score but Strongarm survived the defining blitz attempt, was able to elude his markers and throw a great bomb to Fogdrifter on the sidelines who, without an Orc within distance, was able to stroll over for the TD the next turn.
In the end though it was a heavy price for a victory as we take only 11 into our next match.

Twhanlows

Pretty much all of the greenskins stood up and made a good play at some time during the match. Some good passing under pressure from both Cote Hanga and Nutshot come to mind, consistent dodging from Hurt Soaka and consistently awkward positioning from that Maori Sidestepper. Hard choices, but in the end

3 Points. Pyle Drivah. Despite failing the dodge to score the TD, he had an otherwise excellent game both with effective blitzers and some great catchers too.
2 Points. Getting an agility boost for the match, he did a lot of the ball carrying, scored the TD and generally mopped up the loose ball and evaded our defense. Great effort by the lineman.
1 Point. Squirrel Grippa. Probably the most consistent BOB, he got lots of POW's.

Well played Bacillen - you really made me work for it and it was not by any means a forgone conclusion going in, or at any time during, the match.
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