Manglerz grounded by Griffons!

It was a familiar sight here in Grenzstadt: black and yellow banners, flags, and scarves waving in the gentle breeze as the teams lined up, bathed in the artificial floodlight, courtesy of the Grenzstadt Mages Guild.

The Grenzstadt Griffons sprung to action with a quicknap delivering the first decisive hits of the game, as their starting Bodyguard struggled to scoop up the ball. The Manglerz were on the back foot from the go as a brutal block from one of the Griffons' players injured the Lineman Drozal Skulkrakka (#2). Judging by the amount of blood washed off the astrogranite shortly after, it's safe to assume we won't see him in the team's next fixture.

The Manglerz quickly retaliated, as the recently recovered Blitzer, Mozrog Suneater (#5), sent a Griffon straight into the casualty box. Fans roared with glee as the Griffons' Apothecary resucitated him, with the player joining the reserves shortly after leaving the pitch in an unbelievable display of alchemical expertise.

The game entered a stalemate as the Griffons valiantly maintained a line fending away the opposition, skillfully wrestling them to the ground and dodging their punches. The Manglerz themselves didn't put on much of a show of force as several of the Big Un's blocks resulted in them going down along with their respective defender. As the fourth block ended with a Big 'Un on their back, coach Squigthrower could be seen breaking his clipboard over a Goblin arbiter's head, as the fans behind him broke into a cheerful rendition of "Gnome Is Where the Heart Is".

Meanwhile, excellent pace and pitch control resulted in the Griffons opening up a run down the left side of the field, and cruising into the end zone only minutes before the half-time whistle was blown.

Grenzstadt Griffons face the Manglerz O-line

Entering the second half 1 touchdown behind, the Manglerz made a desparate play as the Griffon defense threatened to overwhelm and sack their ball carrier.

Manglerz' starting Thrower, Tol Squiglobba (#1) launched a perfect short pass which sailed right through the outstretched fingers of a Griffons' Bodyguard as well as the hands of his intended target, Manglerz' future star, Balgath Gitblitza. After a riveting performance last game Balgath's fumble was, in fact, what destroyed the team's remaining hope of an equalizer, as the Griffons' swept the ball away scoring a second touch down, and putting Gitblitza himself, unconscious, on the bench for the remainder of the game.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for Balgath, as his collosal blunder was enough to earn him the title of MVP voted, of course, by the Griffons' extatic fan base.

With any hope of a victory now dashed, the Manglerz set about doing what they do best: eliminating as many of the opposition as possible. Fans on both sides were delighted as the teams kept sending their opponents straight into the outstrecthed arms of the frantic ultras. Having caused 3 casualties to the Griffons' 1, the Manglerz regained at least an inkling of achievement before the night was over.

A particularly nasty block thrown by a Manglerz' lineman drastically reduced the future prospects of a young Griffon, as a disclocated shoulder dashed any hopes of her throwing a hard-hitter again.

Taking the post-game conference stand and shouldering a 2-0 loss, coach Squigthrower announced a surprise early-season signing of Morgrim Spinekrusha, a Blitzer from Da Deff Peak Daggerz.

We're hoping that now, with a full compliment of Big-Uns and Blitzers, we can deliver a decisive hit in our next match and hopefully put some players on ice... eh? Get it? Because we're playing a Norse team.... forget it, never mind".

- the coach quipped.

Leaving Grenzstadt to a chorus of boo's, the Iron Gorge Manglerz travel onwards, to the snow-capped peaks of the far North. Join us in the next post-game report as we sign off from the Griffons' home stadium.