“The last time Carlton won a game without the Duke playing was so long ago it may as well have never happened. The delayed playing of this game left Snakefield double booked with his hair therapist, and the boys were going to have to battle against the seemingly unstoppable might of the Germans without him in this the opening match for both Season 16 and Carlton's latest attempt at an assault on the Premier League!

The opening play from Carlton had a slightly desperate air to it as they struggled to keep the ball safe from their speedy opponents. A play involving three seperate passes to score is not one that's likely to be found in the top ten section of the Carlton book of offensive drives, but it got the job done and Kelly Karrett ran home the first touchdown late in the first half.
The rats ran forward quickly to start the second, but Carlton were equally quick to form their defence. Manfred proved the difference between the two teams however, combining a classicly accurate pass with a blitz to open the way for his chosen receiver. Carlton could only watch, and learn, as they went into the break on level terms.
The Vermin were quick to get things started, with Hanin Elias taking advantage of some shocking blocking errors from the Carlton frontmen, and the rats were quick to regain their lead.
Things were looking predictably grim for Carlton as their offence again fell apart and Manfred headed downfield with a small army of Gutter Runners to take control of an errant ball. Our boys rallied well though and beat their way into a secure position, hiding the ball behind their numbers. Working their way slowly forward, they knew their only realistic chance here was for the draw. Not wanting to score too quickly, but also not wanting to leave themselves vulnerable to the more than able skaven, they were eventually forced to take a chance by sending Karrett downfield with only loose support. He was quickly swamped by the mobile skaven but managed to weather the storm in time for his comrades to crash through the plague of rats that accosted him. He skipped away from the last couple to even it up in the dying seconds. A draw!
Good result from Carlton who went in Dukeless against the strongest team in the competition.

TWAHNLOW VOTES

3 Votes - #8 Karl Benz
Scoring both touchdowns, there was no stopping this old rat from his task!

2 Votes - #5 Manfred Von Richthofen
Only made one mistake all game. Instrumental in the rats' first score and did so much moer than is expected of a thrower, no matter how famous.

1 Vote - #6 Hanin Elias
Made the second score for the rats no contest with a strong presence on the line of scrimmage.”