“I never go into a game wanting to lose, but I often go into one expecting to - especially against Quaruk and his remarkably tenacious Jungle Fighters. I don't really have the tools to deal with their blodging saurus and basically my game plan tends to be along the lines of.... score quick, go for the skinks, get in the way, try not to die.

Well, I managed to do nearly all of the above, only really failing the try-not-to-die bit. Obviously with hindsight I should have used the apo, but with 3/4 of the game still to go, I thought I could live without a catcher - even a nice MA9 one. Ah well.

The first score was quick and easy. The kick landed in the hands on the MA9 catcher on the LoS and he just ran down to the edge of the endzone. I did what I could to give him cover, and then waited to see what would happen. Nothing, was the answer. Well, nothing against him anyway, so he ran it in at the start of turn 2 and we set up for the defence.

That's when the saurus began their thing - especially the one with MB, who seemed to be blitzing every turn. I could have given him a good fouling at one point, but I passed up the opportunity. I like to think that's because I'm too much of a gentleman, but really it's because I'm rubbish at fouling and it always seems to end up with me being sent off. And I couldn't spare the payer here.

Anyway, for once my battering was a mild one and although I couldn't stop the score, I did manage to survive the half basically intact - only the dead catcher missing the second half.

I can't remember the second half (sadly, I was called away to another game before writing this report) but the dice stats show me as having the first turn of both halves. Did I get a blitz? Maybe, but I don't remember it.

I do remember the score however. I blitzed the ball-carrier, dodged out of a TZ with my thrower, long-bombed from the sidelines right the way downfield to a free wardancer, ran as far as I could without risking a gfi and then scored on the following turn.

And after that it was just a case of making sure none of the skins got within range for a late equaliser. Which I managed.

So, finally a win against the Jungle Fighters. No doubt I'll return to my regular losing soon, but for now I can celebrate a rare win, some new fans, and the opportunity to train up a new catcher.”