ROYSTON II: 2
HARPENDEN II: 2
03.11.2007

We had been sent to the outer most region of the East Star System to defend our position at the top of Star System 3 Southwest against the unruly rebels, domiciled at Bassingbourn B. Little is known of this gorilla movement since the old dictatorship fell to a new breed of youthful visionaries during the festival of Christmas. The only conflict since that coup saw the crew of HHC Enterprise embarrassingly defeated 4-1.

On arrival I saw it wise to take orbit before landing. This gave me the opportunity to gauge the mood of the 2nd XI Away Team who had been chosen to engage the rebels. Unsurprisingly many were concerned, fearing the same treatment as our last encounter so I set about calming their nerves. Before long though it was time to engage the opposition.

If at any point I was concerned regarding the steel of the Away Team it was quickly abolished as they set about a mighty offensive. The away team threw caution to the wind during the opening exchange playing ball after ball into the forward assault, who in turn threatened rebel D repeatedly. However whilst they were committed to the offence. The Royston Rebels also threatened our defense and either team could have been first to break the deadlock in the raging dogfight. In the end however it was the Away Team who started to dominate in the middle. Chief Engineer Ben Turner was exemplary in destroying the rebels attack and forceful in ensuring the battle was contained within the Rebel stronghold. Uncharacteristically the away team scored early with Simon Evans capitalizing on a period of HHC dominance. Even after the breakthrough the away team pushed on seeking to close out the bitter conflict early. Soon after the first goal came a second, initial Intelligence reported that it was again Simon Evans who found the opening but it was later reported that it was Fraser Tant who had struck the blow.

It seemed that the 2nd XI Away Team had all but completed their mission but the rules of physics at Planet Bassingbourn B. are twisted and as their effects began to take hold the pernicious rebels grew in confidence.

During a brief seize fire I suggested that we needed to score again to be sure that the strange laws on this planet would not prevent us from completing our mission. Weapons recharged we made our way back to the battlefield.

Shortly after the start of the second phase disaster struck. A rebel wingman came from outside the 25. Clearly out of control bumbling threw players and kicking the ball but at the last regaining control in time to slot past the bewildered Chief of Security Brind. The rebels had found their mark. The Away Team, however, continued to create opportunities to close out the conflict. So it was, as the day grew old that the Rebels found them selves still in the battle. Then late in the conflict a rare error from Chief of Security Ben Brind saw the rebels draw even. The away team was surprised however as the Rebels fell back refusing to take the initiative and seek a victory. The Away Team was again in control but the damage had been done and the stakes were even and although they would have been happy with a draw before they started, found themselves disappointed in sharing the points.

Report by Ben Brind

Scorers
1) Simon Evans
2) Fraser Tant