Arriving on to the pitch
Just beyond the Northern side of Mayberry, the Antiford Army Air Corps station is located. Most people know the army to deploy landships or trains but they do have a large fleet of airships for combat and logistics. That being said the army will contract private companies for cost efficiency on certain tasks.
The Burning Dutchess was hired for such a task. This was a very rewarding opportunity. Not only was the pay good but they were permitted to keep the ship in one of the hangers which meant that more of the crew could go out on shore leave. Most of the crew headed their way into the Gearford except for the ships Perch Ball team. The air corps commander challenged the Captain to a match in preparation of their Rivaled game against the navy.
There were plenty of Hangers empty but the General wanted to play the game aboard his flagship that was barely hovering above the tarmac. Captain Morlock and his men marched to the ship in their black and red jersey uniforms. They boarded the hanger deck where the game was going to be held. The General welcomed them aboard with his team standing in formation behind him in their desert brown with horizontal white pinstriped jersey uniforms.
"So your team is a Captained team, and a Crow at that" the General said.
Captained Team meaning the commander of the ship is an active player.
"Yes sir, I'm looking forward to today's game," Morlock said.
Before the game the referees checked out the brooms for gadgets, weights or blades. After that the brooms were required to be covered.
Both teams took the pitch
It was the Iron Badgers vs the Night Phoenixes
They both played with three fielders and two Swatters.
The match line up
The lineup for the Night Phoenixes
#10 fielder-[A] Scipio
#11 fielder-Martin
#7 fielder-Roberts
#6 Swatter-Cane
#4 Swatter-Overton
#2 Runner- Clemmons
#1 Pigeon-Harper
#12 Crow-Redding
#13 Crow-[C] Morlock
The names of the Iron Badgers team was unknown but here is the numbers and their positions.
#7 fielder [C]
#5 fielder
#8 fielder
#15 Swatter [A]
#12 Swatter
#4 Runner
#1 Pigeon
#8 Crow
#6 Crow
Game Time.
The center official walked to the center circle for the drop start.
"Hoist Pigeons, Fielder on line… commence!" The referee said as he dropped the ball on the center mark.
All six fielder rushed for possession as the ball bounced chest high.
Scipio #10 was able to bat the ball onto their end.
Badgers #16 tries to club the ball back but Martin #11 catches it and passes it to Harper #1. The Badger's Swatters start bashing Harper as Clemmons races towards the bow side perch. Morlock enters the attacking side. Harper finds a good time to pass the ball to Scipio who quickly passes to Clemmons who punts as soon as catching the bass. With a good curve Morlock catches for 2. Badgers #6 gives Morlock a bit of trouble on the perch but Morlock kick passes the ball to Roberts. The Badger's Swatters run in to crow bash but Morlock gets out just in time. Roberts get the ball punched out. #8 takes possession and passes it up. Cane blocks the pass with his broom and flicks it to Clemmons. Morlock stays out of the attacking side with the Badgers playing Scarecrow at the center line. Harper receives the ball the the Phoenixes make their drive for the perch. The Swatters bash the right side of Harper forcing him to make a play to pass their crow. Harper and Clemmons hold the final steps for a second. Morlock slides in to just enough to draw their attention as Harper grabs the perch and tosses the ball over and out for 6. The Badgers start play again #5 receives the throw in and gets it to his pigeon quickly. They choose to attack the stern side perch. They make it into quarter mark and drop passes the ball to #4 their runner who punts it to their Crow #8 for 2. A quick pass back to the runner who runs sideways and punts on the run to their Crow who catches the ball for two more even with a bit of trouble. After passing the ball to #7 a fight on the perch starts up. The referee gives 1 minute to #8 for crossed fighting. #7 pass the ball to #1 and the Badgers make the drive. With a bit of a fight at the perch the Badgers end up scoring 6 points making it a perfect 10 point attack.
The next attack was also a perfect 10 but for the Phoenixes who had armed their crow Redding.
The Badgers missing a punt with Morlock interception for 1. The Badges do end the attack with 6 points before switching.
The halftime score was close at Badgers 36 to Phoenixes 33
The game was neck and neck most of the second half ass well. The Badgers had pulled a 10 point lead with 2 minutes to go and the ball in their positions. They attempted a punt but Morlock intercepted the pass using the broom like a lacrosse stick. This was the third interception of the day but he would have to do more to win this game. The Phoenixes get it to their pigeon but the ball couldn't stay in Harper's grasp for too long because of all the beatings that been have taken have shown their toll now. They managed to get up to the quarter marker passing ball to Clemmons. The referee gave #15 from the Badgers 2 minutes for harassment after a late hit to Harper.
The first punt was a good catch. The #6 Crow was baiting Morlock for a fight. Morlock returned to is side followed closely by #6 who got Crow bashed off the perch by #4 Overton. With the clock running down Morlock quickly took advantage of the empty nest catching the one more for 2 and with a direct pass to the badly beaten Harper Helped fend off the Swatters and scoring 6 more points to win the game.
The crowd were all cheering despite their team losing. Being a nailbiter every everyone very entertained. The General was also pleased with match. He presented Morlock who was voted MVP a trophy for a Badger sitting on a perch with a ball and a broom. The words Friendly Victory were inscribed at the base.
"Wonderful game. My men should learn from this game. Please allow me to take a few of you officers out to the Horn district for dinner as a welcome to Gearford" the General said.
"Thank you sir. My first officer is always hungry after a match and after that beating your men gave him their a young ensign that could use a bit of relaxation."
The General chuckled, "Very good, I give you and your men two hour to wash up and meet me with my personal Vehicle".
Citizens Of Antiford 