“Sumdrim Dreams came in looking to secure top spot in Shotgun Division. Zider Eye Up had joined the division as late replacements and were looking to give themselves a shot at a runners up card into the KO stages. Both teams tried to play the game at home and a Sumdrim fan was roped in to teleport the Dreams over to Scrumpy Stadium.

The Sumdrim team had come through two high scoring matches and looked the better side on paper ... a good handicap was needed for the cider boys. Nuffle in his wisdom chose Bad Press and the Zider's Coach was left with a one hell of pep talk to psych up his team for the game.

Sumdrim won the toss and received the kick. The elves took off down one wing with the humans charging over to cover ... but they overpursued the ball and elves beautifully switched wings to score in Turn 3.

Sadly for the apple-boys an over ambitious and uncessary GFI left their first drive open and pinpoint blitz and pick up gave the Dreams a shot at their second score. A last ditch headlong blitz gave the Zider fans something to whoop about, only to be silenced by the Dreams blitzer Sheen making 5 dodges to scoop up the ball and and slide into the endzone for a 2-0 halftime lead.

Or did it?

Zider Eye Up took a Turn 8 kick off with a Quick Snap called. Catcher Janets Jungle Juice headed upfield, aided by 2 pushes ... received the ball ...headed for the endzone ... made 3 dodges ... AND SCORED!!!! Who would have believed it? When they looked dead and buried they pull a 1 turner out the bag to keep them in with a shout.

Second half and only 9 (by now well cidered up) humans take the field to receive the ball. They get into trouble quickly and are surround by the Dreams. Some nifty dodging and tactical (lucky*) blocks get them out of that scrape and provide a clear half pitch dash to the end zone. Sumdrim tack back but more dodging and tactical (*) blocks pave Jantes way for TD #2.

2-2

Turn 4 and all Sumdrim have to do is walk in one more score for the win. 10 players to 9. But an errant 1 yard pass in the backfield gives the hungry Zider boys an angle on the ball and Sumdrim hopes crash! They surround the Dreams players and dash in for the ball ... take it ... dodge out ... trips, falls and KO'd !!! Maybe with a bit of elfy magic, Sumdrim can still win this!! There trenchman Nero tries to leave his marker but falls ... giving Addlestone Cloudy a simple pick up to trot in for the lead!! 3-2 Zider.

Turn 6 and Sumdrim have conceded 3 unanswered TDs and are looking to take away a draw at best. Sumdrim take the first turn safely, not exposing the ball. Zider take two elves out of the play ... and the Dreams switch wings again! The human's Turn 8 and they have to prise the ball loose AND cover it up. The blitz comes ... ball carrier Vimil is BH'd and Janet comes in to secure the ball. Surely its all over now!? But the dreams catcher Darcy Dogbrain comes in with a flying blitz ... Janet is in the crowd and BH'd. Tough play but fair. Once the Dreams fans had finished with Janet they remembered the ball and passed it right back towards their own Passer!!! Referee!!! Ziggy takes in it stride ... makes the short pass to a marked Klickie ... for the draw ... to be a hero ... BUT NOOOOOO!!! He cant hold onto it and the final whistle blows.

Well thats quite enough from me ... I will leave the concluding comments to my gallant and worthy opponent (best of luck in the next round by the way badger)






”