“CIBBL - Y5, Autumn - Bronze Division: game 4:

After last game's perfect victory against the Spite Reach Corsairs, Timaris was anxious to repeat the success. However, the game started disastrous when a rock from the crowd hit Beldroth Boombark in turn 1 and Hauclir was hit and would miss the rest of the game, as well as the next one. Nevertheless, Timaris shouted his troops forward and Morlanna managed to strip the ball loose. Unfortunately, it landed in the hands of a corsair. Next turn both Finavar and Aertan were permanently removed from the game as well, further souring Timaris' mood.

Nevertheless, Nimrodel and Mereia perfectly collaborated and managed to kick the ball loose again. Even better, Kivan threw it to relative safety in Isilvar's hands. Nothing could stop the elves anymore this drive: 1-0.

The pirates handed the ball to Ibhib Nightbreaker, an elf corsair faster than any Meddler. An opportunity presented itself to go for the ball again, but a snaked dodge decided otherwise: 1-1 at halftime, after the tree powed a pirate, ruining the one-turner effort.

The second half was full of action, even though the Meddlers were now down to 8 players. Sartosa Black Flags found out how hard it is to stop a motivated effort by the Meddlers. Timaris shouted his players forward. The elves scored quickly: 2-1 but still 7 turns to go.

Disaster struck the Meddlers when Morlanna snaked a dodge, damaging her back. Even the apothecary couldn't relieve the pain. "Nuffle' balls", Timaris cursed. Only three games earlier Alaris had snaked-dodged himself to death and now this. Morlanna, who had single-handedly assured over half of the Meddler's wins, was out. The elves' morale took a serious hit. With only 6 Meddlers left on the pitch, including a rooted treeman, putting up a serious defensive proved to be impossible: 2-2 with three turns still remaining!

That's when the Blitz! arrived. When it rains, it pours. Only this time, it proved to be a poisoned present for the pirates. Indeed, the opposition's defenses were down after sending their most mobile players for the ball, a situation that was handily exploited by the Meddlers: 3-2 with only two turns remaining. Could it be possible to win this game after all?

Only seven elves remained to stop a full pirate squad though. That wasn't enough. The opposing corsairs stretched their legs to the maximum and equalized in the last turn: 3-3.

When the dust settled and the fans had long left the field, no one noticed how a careless wood elven coach entered the pirate's players box and recovered a pirate cap belonging to Voodoo Jones. "That should do it", Timaris mused as he quitly left the stadium. Another trophy to add to his ever-growing stack.

A costly tie for the Meddlers. Victory was within reach, but it didn't happen. Worse, our super star wardancer snaked herself to a niggling injury, despite the presence of an apothecary. What do to with her now? And the ST4 MA8 blodger - who didn't even got to move this game - will miss the next one as well. Three journeyman will complete the squad. Worries...

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