“The problem with a game like this is that so much happened, I can't remember it all. Basically, whenever each team was on offence, they scored - usually within 2 or 3 turns - and generally defences were tough, but just not enough.

The dark elves liked to get the ball downfield quickly and surround the ball-carrier with a web of +ST, guard and side-step, making it all but impossible to break through. And even if I'd ever managed it, the ball-carrier had dump-off, even a desperate leaping blitz probably wouldn't have got the job done.

And on the other side, I was still trying to skill up the thrower, so I stuck with the tried and tested formula of throwing a short pass, then running the ball back to him and handing off so he could pass again on the following turn while my catchers ran down and looked for space among the tackling blitzes and witch elves. Sadly, this was the thrower's second dud game in a row. He did manage 4 for 22 in the end, but he also managed to fumble a few along the way, if not giving away the game exactly, then at least making me have to work extra hard for the score. To be fair, he spent the first half throwing into the sun (again), but he's really taking his time getting that first skill.

So, a couple of things to note...

I used my inducement cash to hire Zolcath the Zoat, who I'd never tried before. He's expensive (costing almost the same as a wizard and an extra apo) but I thought I'd give him a go. Actually, he was quite useful - mostly for his prehensile tail that usually kept one or two dark elves busy for a while. One on occasion I even used him for a blitz (successfully) which ended up putting the ball-carrier and about three others in his TZ...at least until he was knocked over on the following turn. But against elves he's pretty good, I think. Extra muscle on the front line, the prehensile tail, and even disturbing presence just to be awkward. I'd probably take him again.

The other thing that needs mentioning is the number of skulls Emphasy rolled. According to the stats, it was 21 in 47 blocks, but as far as I can remember, nearly all of them came in twos - and most of those in the space of a few turns in the second half. All Emphasy's rerolls were going on just surviving his own blocking, and then, just after my thrower had fumbled again, Emphasy began, and ended, his turn with a double double skulls. Terrible. And this allowed me to pick up the ball, and then double fumble the throw yet again!

And at the same time my blocking was near perfect - not always spectacular, but always enough to keep me with options. And of course, very few skulls, thanks to Emphasy hogging them all.

And finally, I managed to do something I don't think I've ever done before - or at least not for so long I've forgotten - and that was set up a successful one-turn attempt by pushing a side-stepper. Usually I don't have enough players left, or I mis-position, but today it all worked. Admittedly, I had a tree with grab and a catcher with MA9, sure feet and sprint so there was only one really tricky push to get things going, but even so, I'm pleased I've finally done it at least once.

Emphasy claims the draw was a fair result. I think he was robbed. But despite this, it was still a really hard game with a lot of thought having to go into most plays - especially on defence - and a lot of fun because of this.

And my thrower finally picked up his first skill!”