“With a kick sailing over the heads of the khemri team, the first round of the minors tournament begun. Having had to do some significant trimming down to make weight, the girls looked fit as could be, and it showed, as the khemri line had difficulty knocking us down. The OSG began attempting to grind forward in a cage, but with 'zon surrounding them, and continually throwing themselves into the fray, there was just no way to advance. But once we broke the seal, injuring ourselves on a block gone wrong, the injuries begun to spiral. First Stacy, followed by Becky C., and then Amanda. This finally allowed the OSG enough room to maneuver down the field, which the did, setting up another cage just outside of scoring distance. Felling that it was now or never, we called up the wizard we had purchased for today's match, and sent a fireball streaming into the khemri cage. The Thro-Ra holding the ball was, of course, still standing, but one of his Blitz-Ras and a tomb guardian were both flat on the pitch. With no time to lose, Corinne came rushing in, blitzing down the ball carrier, as the rest of the team dodged in to surround either the ball, or to mark any potential threat to those nearest the ball. Michelle made her way in and grabbed the ball, taking away the OSG's chance to score this half, but not making it far enough to put any points on the board for us, either. With one last gang foul by the ladies, the whistle blew, ending the first half, 0-all.

Playing 10-on-11, with the ball coming to us, we dashed up to midfield, setting up a defensive position for the initial onslaught from the khemri. They surrounded us, knocking down an 'zon or two, and cut off any forward advance. But, we were still in control of the ball, and we saw a potential opening if we rolled out towards the center of the pitch. We blitzed back the one skeleton standing closest to where we intended for the ball to end up, giving us a chance to make the plan come to life. That is until rookie 'zon Stacy, the would be receiver, failed the dodge, and crashed down to the earth. I had uttered, "And that's game", before the armour roll could even been completed. With any defender now being out of position, there was nothing to be done but watch as the OSG blitzed down Julie, setting the ball free, and taking Becky S. out with a well placed foul. Before a possible dodge to recapture the ball, followed by a quick pass over the heads of a tomb guardian could be made, the curse of the double skulls took hold. The reroll came up a skull and "both down." Without block, the house of cards continued to collapse upon itself. A spectacular series of chain pushes introduced two more 'zons to the rabid fans, as their Thro-Ra picked up the ball, with an unmolested path to the endzone awaiting him. A last ditch effort was made by Colleen, with an assist from Stacy, but the best those two could manage was to push the ball carrier back, as the assembled might of the OSG crashed down upon them, knocking two more of us out into the crowd. A vicious gang foul was committed against prone blitzer Amber, resulting in her death. The apothecary was called in, and the death was prevented, but the broken jaw from where the foul landed could not be repaired. The last thing the remaining four Amazons could do is attempt to stand in the way of the ball, hoping to somehow slow down the advancement of the ball, praying for time to run out. The OSG just cut down past us, caging in the ball; the other half of the team surrounding what was left of the 'zons, minus Maureen, who they had just injured. Through some miracle, Michelle dodged away and single handedly blitz down a skeleton, getting in the face of the ball carrier, as Stacy dodged in beside her. Down those two went. With little more fanfare, the OSG walked into the endzone, scoring their touchdown, and claiming their much deserved victory, as the whistle mercifully ended the match.

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Much respect goes out to coach Reisender, who played an excellent game. A very challenging opponent, but very "fair" (as fair as can be expected, this is blood bowl, after all), and with a sense of humor. Best of luck with the rest of the tournament. Also, a "thank you" to all the spectators, both those who cheered and those who laughed.

Our first entry into a tournament, in and quickly out. Worry not, these girls will return, and you can bet on that.”