[Team Blog] Morgred Longbeards

[Morgred]

The Griffon Shield II has lost one of the greats. It was a crippling skull fracture that ended the career of the leagues most violent player. Retiring Minotaur Rager. 13 casualties resulting in 6 deaths and 1 MVP from 15 games. He will be 'sorely' missed. He plans to buy a luxury Labyrinth in the Mountains of Mourn and breed the next generation of Blood Bowl with his new love Daisy Bell.

I agree with that build at this stage of the team developement too Nikolai. I needed the guard on the first one but a bad ass blitzing cow would fit the team nicely now..

[Morgred]

Game 16 (vs Chaos)

In the third time these two teams have met this season, the 26,000 spectators got full value out of the ticket purchase. With the bitter rivalry heating up, the two Chaotic teams of the competition showing why Choas rules the Realm.

Making a run at the finals Chaos United FC were looking to break the unbeaten streak of the Morgred Longbeards. The Longbeards in recent weeks involved in some heavy hitting games having forced the early retirement of 3 players. The newly recruited Minotaur 'Buff Bison' making his debut.

It was United FC who won the toss and elected to recieve. United giving away 300,000 in inducements to the Longbeards who employed a Wizard and an additional apothecary for the match. Additional funds rumored to be kept for bribing refferees if neccessary.

In the pouring rain the Longbeards kicked off. With elf like ease the ball was gathered by the sure hands of a Beastman who positioned himself behind a wall of Warriors. Pushing up the left side of the pitch, United looked as though scoring would be no problem. Their Minotaur Kongwar (ST6, claw, break tackle) was slapping the Longbeards around in a powerful display.

The ball was run to within 3 squares of the EZ when a game changing Blitz from the Longbeards ST5 Bull knocks it loose. The Longbeards, lifted by the heroic blitz, find form. Breaking armour and injuring 2 Beastmen and KOing 5 other players as the longbeards star Hobo recovers and passes the ball to the rookie Hobo. He charges down field geting clear of the pursuing beastmen with the help of a well timed Lightning Bolt from the sidelines.

Running in the TD just on half time the Longbeards enjoy a 1-0 buffer at the break.

None of the KO'd United players came to at half time so the Chaos team was down to just 6 players as they set up their defence. The Longbeards fielding a full 11.

Still pouring with rain, the Longbeards recieved the kick off. The ball was gathered by their star Hobo. With a huge numbers advantage they were just too strong. As they ground down the pitch keeping the remaining Chaos players prone. Running in the TD turn 6 and sealing the Win.

2-0 victory with 2-0 in the casualties to the Longbeards. With 3 players gaining a skill. 40,000gp winnings takes the treasury to 300,000gp.

Played 16. W-12/ D-4 /L-0.

[Netsmurf]

Nice record

[danton]

Looking good!

Wish they would hurry up and add Chaos Dwarfs to the Cyanide game already!!

[Morgred]

Agreed.. Id love to play against some of you boys with 'em.

[Morgred]

Game 17 (vs High Elves)

The final round before finals saw a top of the table clash between the ladder leaders the Morgred Longbeards and the leagues highest scoring side Poldon. These two sides have jostled for the number 1 spot on the ladder all season, yet have only met on the one occasion resulting in a 2-2 draw.

A record crowd of 35,000 fans came to see the preview to the finals on a perfect day for blood bowl. The Poldon captain won the toss and elected to recieve. A Bloodwiser Babe an additional apothocary and a wizard could be seen on the sideline for the Longbeards as they set up a deep defence.

As the ball was kicked the Poldon players quick snapped forward, gathering the ball and manuvering it deep towards the TD. As the Longbeards charged toward the ball carrier, as quick as a flash, the Poldon offence seriously concussed the Longbeards Minotaur (who was cured by the Apothocary) and ran in the TD.

As the Minotaur stepped back onto the field after being in the hands of the Apothocary, the Longbeards prepared for thier offence.

The kick was gathered by #8 Bull Centaur who is the protection of a cage, drove up the right flank. Pinned against the side line a wall of elves stalled the cages progress. The AG5 Blodge, Leap, Strip Ball Blitzer, leaped in and threw a block at the bull carrier. 2D in the favour of the Longbeards - and the ball was knocked loose.

Unable to gather the Longbeards saw out the half scoreless. 0-1 halftime to Poldon.
The casualties were 2-1 in favour also of Poldon who managed to badly hurt the clawed dwarf.

The second half began with the kick being caught by #5 Dwarf who held onto the ball protected by a cage. The drive was slow and again got halted by the wall of elves. Funneled down the right flank the elves strategically pinned the dwarves against the sideline. Again the Blitzer lept in and striped the ball able to get 1D after a hobo failed a GFI leaving an opening. The turnover came after had been rolled for the fourth time in the game for the Longbeards.

Able to gather the ball and break clear of the scrum the blitzer looked as tho he would wrap up the win. A desperate blitz from the Strip Ball Bull knocked the ball clear but after it ended up in the crowd, a catcher was able to swoop on the loose thrown in ball and score.

The Longbeards losing their first game for the season 2-0. Also losing the casualties 4-2.

The winnings rolls really summed up the game. I rolled a 1 he rolled a 6. Both teams fought hard and played well, but both my opponent and me agreed that i coped it in the luck department. Nuffle deciding that an undefeated season was not to be.

Credit where credit is due tho, Poldons coach gave me nothing to hit and pumbled any player who was isolated. His defensive work was flawless, stalling my cage perfectly and really utilising his Blitzers ability to get at the ball.

Should i make the grand final i expect to meet him again, which will make for a tough but interesting Final.

[Morgred]

Team Update: (after 17 games)

#1 Chaos Dwarf - Guard 10SPP
#2 Chaos Dwarf - Claw 6SPP
#3 Chaos Dwarf - +1ST 11SPP
#4 Chaos Dwarf - Guard, Mighty Blow 21SPP
#5 Chaos Dwarf - Guard, 7SPP
#6 Chaos Dwarf - Guard, Mighty Blow 17SPP
#7 Minotaur - 2SPP
#8 Bull Centaur - Block, Break Tackle, Strip Ball 46SPP
#9 Bull Centaur - Block, Break Tackle, +1ST 40SPP
#10 Hobgoblin - Wrestle 7SPP
#11 Hobgoblin - Dodge, +1MV, Wrestle 32SPP
#12 Hobgoblin - 0SPP
#13 Hobgoblin - 0SPP


RR - 3
FF - 9
Apoth
Total - 1,790,000gp
Treasury - 220,000gp

First Final vs the Pox Belchers, a Skaven team of similar TV to mine.

[Morgred]

Game #18- Semi Final. (vs Skaven)

The first semi final was the Morgred Longbeard vs the Pox Belchers. The last time the two teams met the Longbeards ground out an impressive 2-1 win.

The Belchers, having been beaten up and takin a huge amount of casualties all season, still managed to finish 3rd over all. Even beating Poldon, the High Elves who finished on top of the ladder.

Giving away 300,000 in inducements, the Longbeards didnt know what to expect. The Belchers had employed 2 Bloodwiser babes but the remainder of their inducement money appeared to be unspent or unseen.

The Longbeards Captain won the toss and elected to recieve. As the teams set up the 58,000 fans lifted their voices. The ball was kicked and the finals were underway. Gathered and caged by #8 Bull in true Longbeards style. A push up the center of the pitch was knocking rats KOing 2 and badly hurting another. Then a defining moment.

The Belchers Rat Ogre was KO'd so #8 made a break for it up the right flank. Screened behind but open infront of him, 2 Gutter Runners were able to get back and harrass him. A dauntless blitz from one of the gutters dropped the ball carrier who became dazzed and confused. (my opponent played a card that gave the bull bonehead for the remainded of the game)

With time to regather the ball the Longbeards protected it with 5 tackle zones untill it could be picked up. Then another defining moment. A dog ran onto the field (another card) picking up the ball and unning it back to his owner in the crowd. The ball was thrown back in deep towards the Belchers TD zone. A Belchers blitzer was able to get back to cover the ball. Charging back a Bull blitz enabled a hobo to recover the ball and run forward.

With seconds to go the hobo goes to throw the ball but.. the siren sounds and we go to half time 0-0.

With all KO's coming back the second half began with a full 22 players on the pitch. The ball was kicked and we were again underway. The Rat Ogre wanting to get back in the game blitzed the Longbeards Minotaur but went down himself. This allowed #9 Bull to rush at the ball. As the Longbeards charge forward putting another couple of rats out KO'd, the pressure got to the Belchers thrower who failed to pick it up.

Eventually the ball was picked up by the Longbeards star hobo who stalled. The Longbeards were going for the 1-0 win. The Belchers had othe plans tho. Able to steal the ball and get it to a gutter runner they break away with it. However the gutter runner was chased down by the well positioned Longbeards and again the Longbeards recovered the ball. Getting it back to the star hobo the Longbeards run in the TD turn 7. Leaving 1 turn for the Belchers to score.

The Dwarves set up leaving no clear path through their line. 3 Dwarves on the LOS and the ball is booted deep. With the ball in flight and the match as good as wrapped up the Belchers quick snap. Moving a Gutter Runner next to the Dwarf on the Line of scrimage. A Rat Ogre block chain pushed the Gutter Runner another square, now11 from the Endzone. The ball is picked up by the thrower and lang passed to the in range rodent. He breaks for it leaping over a bull centaur and dodging clear. With lightning speed he GFI twice to score!!! 1-1. A one turn TD.

So the game goes to sudden death. The first team to score would win. The Belchers set up. As they kick they Blitz!! Getting rats all around the fall of the ball and a Gutter Runner in position to catch it. Which he does. The Longbeards are shell shocked. After a dog stole their ball wen they were in position to score, then to be timed out on a simple play that wouldve scored, after the Belchers score in one turn they now catch their own kick!!!

The Gutter is open tho. Sure enough the Longbeards blitz him, but with no RR's is all they could muster. Nuffle deciding that it was not the Longbeards day. The remaining defenders surroind the ball carrier. All he had to do is leap out with very long legs it 2+ no RR.

The Leap... ROLLS A 1!! and a scrap results. And it got ugly. Bodies flying everywhere and 3 failed(3+) pickups by the Longbeards hobo allowed the rats to scramble to gather the ball. They finally get hold of a loose scattered ball and break for the endzone. And after 25 turns they score. Securing a spot in the grandfinal against the Poldon High elves.

Final score 1-2 with 3-1 casualties.

A worthy final. Tough and hard. Unpredictable and exciting. A game that had everything. Spectacular plays and rediculous nufflings. But the Longbeards finish the Griffin Shield II losing in the semi finals.

The final was played straight after. And in an equally exciting match the Poldon High elf team were victorious. Winning 2-1. Congratulations to them.

The Longbeards will continue their Journey next season in the Premier League. Set up for coaches who want to carry over their teams. But i will be starting a new blog for that.

Thanks for following the progress of the Morgred Longbeards.

[Gallows Bait]

Very good run indeed, a shame not to make the final, but impressive all the same.