Mcleod Cup VI for Babbage rules football (complete)

[Andossa Se Mitrin Vega]

Can the Sea Dragons Live Up To Being #1?

Babbage Rules Footy. Remember that name folks because it is the new craze sweeping like wildfire across the Empire. And just to let you know, the Sea Dragons (yes we do have a national team in this exciting sport) have somehow risen to claim the NSVerse’s number one ranking. We will be bringing you all the news from McLeod Cup VI as it happens with every match being shown live and in its entirety, a status usually reserved for the World Cup alone.

So what makes this Babbage Rules sport and its McLeod Cup so popular here at home? At first that question seems very easy to answer. Women, or girls in the youth programs, are not only given the opportunity to compete in a sport normally dominated by males, they are given the opportunity to excel with a rule set that places importance on their accomplishments. But it is much more than that. The McLeod Cup is unique in that it offers something to play for on many different levels. The Sea Dragons have seen this first hand as they are the current Bowl holders. These two elements make this perhaps the most exciting sport and tournament in all of the NSVerse.

So what is it that drives the Sea Dragons to greatness? How is it that they can be the number one team without having won a title? And can the Sea Dragons win a Championship this time out? All three answers can be found by looking to the Sea Dragon Quarterback Niyadidy Kin'ia'an.

At 6’2” and 170lbs, Kin'ia'an is a dedicated full time QB. That contrasts the style many others choose to follow as the play a male in the position fulltime and make use of the female in the role of Orange Back. But then again Kin'ia'an is not your ordinary female passer. With a rocket arm and pinpoint accuracy, she might just be the most feared passer in the game today. Add a huge dose of competitiveness and a touch of ego and you have what it takes. Luckily for us she has chosen to stay with Babbage Rules as several domestic football organizations have made contact, offering her big money to come compete with the big boys. And for us it is easy to see that Kin'ia'an is the reason for the Sea Dragons success. She is the driving force that has propelled them to the number one ranking and she is the spearhead that will point them to a championship much sooner than later.

As ASMV prepares to play its matches at Southland Park in Pool 6, let’s take a look at the competition. Spitfyred1 are a team on the rise and should present a good matchup. Controlling Jane Zee will be the key. She is an able passer but probably a better runner at this point so the defense will have to watch her carefully so that when she does pull down and run it isn’t for big yardage.

The other two teams Mossulia and Vettrera will have to be watched as well, bu the Sea Dragons should easily be the class of the pooling.

And now a quick look to the other 6 pools

Pool 1- Darmen is the one the others will be chasing. Armorgames and Cyborg Holland should have a fierce battle for second.

Pool 2 - The girls in pink might get a hard push from ABK. Then again they could get pushed aside by the same.

Pool 3 - Tamarindia won it all last time out. The better keep that form or the Kryties could walk away as Pool Champs.

Pool 4 - Too tough to call. Civil Citizenry should outpace Wolfmanne but they might be trailing Mytannion as they do it.

Pool 5 - TBI owns this one. Look for Tekcirb to make some noise.

Pool 7 - Delaclava and Thatius. Seems simple enough. We hate simple. Carmadin wins this one.

Now it is left to be decided on the field. Mossulia awaits on MD1. Kick back. Have a beer. And chew some Yumbo Jumbo. Babbage Rules Footy is back in action.

[The Kytler Peninsulae]

The Kytler Peninsulae are making their McLeod Cup debut, and they're receiving plenty of support from government sources. The intention is for "Babbageball" to become a major sport in the country, starting by promoting it to schools as a safer alternative to gridball and rugby (both of which are easily the two most popular winter sports in the country after soccer). The intention is to encourage sports with less physical contact, amidst public concern over injuries in schoolboy gridiron and rugby games. "With a field shared with ultimate, and the game explicitly co-ed with clear opportunities for girls to not only participate but thrive, Babbageball could have been designed for our secondary (11-18) schools," suggested the Education Minister upon passing legislation requiring all secondary schools to teach Babbageball as part of the national curriculum.

The sport is lacking in formal leagues at the professional level, at least for now, so the team is a mixture of early school standouts and leading athletes in fields as diverse as ballet and roller derby. In particular, Olympic 100m champion Ocilla Dotos - now easily the best-known female athlete in the country - has been drafted onto the team, filling in the gap before the Rushmori Athletics League and providing a key promotional asset for the sport in The Kytler Peninsulae. It is also not at all coincidental that the team features two players who were injured in university gridiron games - again, this fits the idea of promoting the sport as a safer alternative.

Roster
Players are colour-coded blue if male or pink if female.

Offense
The team will usually use two screen backs, using lateral passes to create downfield passing opportunities. The two other receivers line up on the outside of the field, and will utilise different routes according to the situation - their role is analogous to gridiron WRs, and indeed they are referred to as "wideouts". This differs from "textbook" strategy where each of three assignments get run by one receiver, and only one screen back is used. Occasionally, the team will opt to use three screen backs and no quarterback (analogous to the "wildcat" in gridiron).

Substitutes are used frequently, although Morris will snap every down, while Benson will be QB on most downs.

Snapper: Colin Morris [16, school team snapper in both Babbageball and gridiron]
Quarterback: Alan Benson [21, ex-University of Roddens gridiron QB before being injured by a sack in second year]

Screen backs:

Arika Sini [16, multi-sport athlete in secondary school, of aboriginal descent]
Ciara Wendell [27, former naval officer and heptathlete, will play QB when Benson is injured or on Code Orange downs]
Matthew Snowdon [15, inside-centre for the Martinstone School team that recently won the under-16 rugby union contest at the TKCRU Festival of Rugby]

Wideouts:

Arne Aarland [16, top touchdown scorer in secondary school Babbageball last year]
Melinda Ryder [25, lead jammer for flat track roller derby team Santa Mordana Superfreaks]
Georgina Major [16, schools' 200m champion and also a school standout in Babbageball]

Defense
The team will line up with two rushers in short-distance situations, and one rusher otherwise. Two middles, two safeties, and a nickel (on single-rusher sets) complete the defense. Occasionally, the nickel will drop back into deep zone coverage to allow for two chargers, particularly if it is perceived that the opposing QB will react badly to the pressure.

Rushers:

Jane Cornelis [29, retired ballerina now working as a choreographer in musical theatre]
Susan Gondelle [28, blocker for the Santa Mordana Superfreaks, and elder sister of skateboarding champion Yvie]
Gerrit Dekker [18, has received a gridiron scholarship to the University of Zube as a nose tackle, also a Babbageball star for his school]

Middles:

Crublig Pinteps [22, former university linebacker until concussed in a game. Now recovered, but traumatised by gridiron memories]
Eric Lobsiger [17, another school standout]
Hahnea Cagenil [17, aspiring musical theatre actress who took up Babbageball to improve her stamina and became the team's star]

Safeties:

Ocilla Dotos [26, gold medallist at the Lasft Olympics in the women's 100m]
Stewart Ingram [17, another school standout, will be the nickel as required]
Søren Vilfort [29, retired soccer player]

[Darmen]

Darmeni Babbage Rules National Team Mcleod Cup V Roster

Head Coach: Preston Tyler
Offensive Coach: Adam Dreger
Defensive Coach: Colton Fitzpatrick

Offense
 1  Janessa Jones          Snapper  F  22  
 2  Mike Funi              Slant    M  19  
 3  Kii Won                Fly      F  27  
 4  Brendi Jones           Deep/OB  F  20  
 5  Brian Endel            Screen   M  29  
 6  Berry Fincle           QB       M  26  

Defense
 7  Adriana Hughes         Safety  F  21  
 8  John Bryant            Charger M  25
 9  Lirodon Gunther-Abend  Nickel  F  29  
10  Kathy Sylvester        Middle  F  25  
11  David Johanson         Rusher  M  23  
12  Xua Hans               Middle  M  21

Mike Funi is the offensive star of the team, and Xua Hans is the defensive star.

RP Permissions: Do anything you want besides ejecting my players, injuring them, or killing them.

[The Golden Tamarind]

Asociación de Tamarindia con Objetivo de Babbalo

Mcleod Cup VI Entry

---

Despite the best efforts of Hugo Caillett, Babbage Rules Football is still almost unknown in Tamarindia, apart from a select group of enthusiasts at the Academy for International Relations in Libertad. Here people study for careers in the diplomatic service, the international Units, and other trades relating to the wider world. Hugo, lecturer in experimental sports and admirer of Babbage Rules, has coached the Tamarindo to a Mcleod Cup final, losing out in a close call to The Babbage Islands, as well as a shock Mcleod Cup IV Bowl win the previous year at the first attempt. Hugo was disappointed to return home to a largely disinterested welcome. Undeterred, he founded of the official governing body for the sport in Tamarindia, appointed himself Commissioner and commissioned a small office at AIR, an account on the photocopy machine, and the logo you see above. Even in the Faculty of Experimental Sports, his passion has been met with a combination of mild surprise, ambiguous head-shaking, and some sniggering in private corners of the campus. After last year's run to the final, former Babbalo star Kuo Wan of the Babbage Islands returned with Hugo to Tamarindia to help ramp up interest in the sport in the land of the golden monkey.

One year on from the glorious if ultimately unsuccessful Cup final in the Babbage Islands, Hugo has progressed just a little further with his project, organising the first Tamarindian Invitational, which saw the first ever competitive Babbalo on Tamarindo soil. Teams from Darmen, Megadia and the Babbage Islands represented at the tournament on the Academy Campus in Libertad, where a small skeptical crowd watched Babbalo for the first time. Exit polls suggested that those who came along enjoyed it and were interested enough to ask for more, and two individuals presented themselves to the coach, as potential players, following the Invitational.

And so now it's time for the McLeod Cup again, and with hope rather than expectation, Coach Hugo has dusted off his playbook and put together a team of interested players for another tilt at the Cup. Only time will tell if his passion will translate into success on the field in The Babbage Islands, and more interest in the corridors of experimental sports back home.

Many of the team from last year are back for another shot, including a couple of players who graduated and return to the team despite not being part of the Academy - making this the first squad that is not wholly an Academy team. Snapper Estrella Volpicelli and fly Nesto Doma are those graduates. Not in the team this year are Tica Uribe (Mcleod Cup V) who is thinking of a career in the sport but has taken a year off to recover from her degree, Jérôme Alderete the geographer (Cups IV & V) who has gone into the world to see for himself, and César Mendieta (Cup V) who has taken up football - "a real sport". They are replaced by student Tristana Cervántez Paz (21), and the two interested spectators, Leni Badillo, a digital imaging technician from Castro, and his friend Fulvio Valverde, a chemical equipment operator, both 32, who in trials before attending proved to be willing and enthusiastic if short on experience and skill.

McLeod Cup VI Roster

Offense

Estrella Volpicelli, snapper F 25
Former student of International Conflict. Recently completed her Masters Degree and looking for work. Returning for her third appearance in the McLeod Cup. Still wants to be a peacemaker diplomat. Even more worried about rogue nations led by fifteen-year-old totalitarian warmongers.

Carmen Ordóñez, slant F 31
Returning for her third McLeod Cup. A Doctor of Philosophy presently engaged in thinking about 'supernatural players' - the idea that nation states – even the whole world - are run by external 'gods' who are simply 'playing a game.'

Nesto Doma, fly M 24
Appearing in his third McLeod Cup. Unemployed (officially - on a gap year). Nesto hopes to become an international ambassador for Tamarindian football, preferably somewhere scenic and peaceful.

Tristana Cervántez Paz, deep/OB F 21
McLeod Cup debut. In her second year of a degree at AIR, studying the culture of the Atlantean Oceanic region. Baffled by all the talk of elves, dwarves, ogres and unicorns. Wants to see the world to work out how delusional the multiverse really is. Replaces Tica Uribe in the team.

Lucio La Spada, screen M 36
Appearing in his thid McLeod Cup. Part-time lecturer in Rushmori & One Big Island Studies. A follower of Babbage Rules, he has a pirate satellite receiver to watch the NABC Premier League live games on television. Supports Wye Whalers.

Fernando Durán, QB M 36
Appearing in his thirdd McLeod Cup. Head of Experimental Sports. A former professional footballer who played for AIR Libertad. Retains a healthy scepticism for experimental sports whilst excelling at pretty much any that he tries out. If he'd started twenty years earlier, could've been an international Babbage Code sensation.

Defense

Jessenia Castro, safety F 23
Appearing in her second McLeod Cup. Student of Philosophy and research assistant to Carmen Ordóñez on the Supernatural Players theory. A devout athiest who thinks multidimensional string theory might explain where ex-nations go.

Leni Badillo, charger M 32
Appearing in his debut McLeod Cup. A digital imaging technician from Castro and new recruit who has never played Babbalo but was hooked at the Tamarindian Invitational. Tried out for the team and replaces Jérôme Alderete who has gone off to find himself.

Erminia Negrón Osorio, nickel F 22
Appearing in her second McLeod Cup. Final year student of experimental sports. Hoping to be a sports journalist with an international brief, famously dating footballer Daniel Magnín, the new young sensation of the Tamarindo Baptism of Fire campaign, whom she feels is intellectually short but physically not so short.

Xénia Masa, middle F 37
Appearing in her third McLeod Cup. Doctor of International Pharmaceuticals. Specialising in reconstructing compounds of expensive medical treatments for cheap distribution to fifth- and sixth-world countries. Has declared this will be her final appearance, as her multiversal anti-depressant BBG Compound begins to reach a global market.

Hugo Caillett, rusher M 45 Captain & Coach
His third McLeod Cup. Lecturer in Experimental Sports. Loves Babbage Rules, supports the Purple Wave. Would like to form a Babbage league one day, after appointing himself the first Tamarindian Babbage Code Commissioner and organising the Tamarindian Invitational.

Tusnelda Montez Murillo, middle F 20
The youngest member of the squad and making her second appearance at the McLeod Cup, Tusnelda is a student of Forum 7 Studies, which is a bit like International Literature Studies, but only a bit. She hopes to become a cultural attaché to promote Tamarindian literature abroad. Steps up from reserve with the departure of César Mendieta.

Bench

Alfredo de Torrente, M 67
His third McLeod Cup. Professor of Experimental Sports. A former professional footballer who played for Unión Libertad. Believes that if he'd started forty years earlier, could've been an international Babbage Code sensation. Holds the record of oldest player in McLeod Cup history, he's pretty certain, although he doesn't have a medal for it yet.

Fulvio Valverde, M 32
Appearing in his debut McLeod Cup. A chemical equipment operator and keen footballer from Castro, a new recruit who has never played Babbalo but was hooked at the Tamarindian Invitational. Tried out for the team and landed himself a reserve spot.

RP PERMISSIONS
Granted in full: Knock yourself out - or us. Anything goes, except preserve us from death or supernatural happenings. If it could happen, it can happen.

[The Golden Tamarind]

Hugo Reflects on The Pressure, The Press, & The Predicament He Finds Himself In

Coach Hugo Caillett was bringing his team together for their first tactical meeting ahead of their opener against debutants The Kytler Peninisula. He was worried. After a run to the Cup Final last time out, they were finally having to live with some expectations. There was a new kind of pressure. His Ambassadors weren't altogether hopeless underdogs. But a poor performance in the Tamarindian Invitational was an indicator that perhaps they were more comfortable as the hopeless underdogs, losing two of their three games in the warm-up Prequela. And the new boys in the team, Leni and Fulvio, while enthusiastic, were also on the bad side of completely hopeless. Now he had heard the extra bad news that long-time nemesis Saturnino Serrano, sports writer for La Botela, was in town for the Mcleod Cup. Why? Didn't he have a job to do in the Baptism of Fire? Alright, it was true that games were being postponed left right and centre in Mangolana, and the Tamarins' half of the tournament was behind schedule and descending into chaos, but wasn't that a story in itself? Why come here to pester the Babbalo kids? Of course, Coach Hugo knew exactly why. That incident. Back then, way back then. You know, with the um, _ , and the old, ah, _ _. Embarrassing. Illegal? Well, the party magistrates had said there was no case to answer. But Serrano just couldn't leave it alone. Would the whole thing come unravelled, here, in the Babbage Islands?

Thank goodness for Kuo Wan, the Babbalonian ex-pro who was assisting him with the foundation of the sport back home, and coaching here for the Mcleod. At least she could take up some of the slack. Right now, while Hugo stared out of the window and contemplated that lowly hack and his gossip-mongering, she was running through play # 12, the

Hopeless Underdog,

using the coach's tried and tested formula of demonstrating the new special play by using the Babbage Rules miniature Subbutalo^TM figures. While Coach Hugo daydreamed, Kuo noticed that the new boys were really struggling to get it. She was already on the third demonstration of the defensive spread pattern. Worryingly, the play placed a great deal of emphasis on the charger, Leni, undertaking, as Kuo put it, to rush the line, here, like this... while the middle, here, and here, break up a potential run, thus, like this...

Well, Leni just wasn't getting it. Don't worry Leni, said Kuo, it'll make sense on the field of play.

[The Babbage Islands]

Mcleod Cup VI
Pool Play: Round One

Pool 1
Darmen 42–9 Garon-Averia
Armorgames 36–18 Cyborg Holland

  Pool 1                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Darmen                   1   1  0  0   42   9 +33    3
2 Armorgames               1   1  0  0   36  18 +18    3
3 Cyborg Holland           1   0  0  1   18  36 −18    1
4 Garon-Averia             1   0  0  1    9  42 −33    1

Pool 2
Cassadaigua 48–8 Solra
Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk 28–28 Chuckio

  Pool 2                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Cassadaigua              1   1  0  0   48   8 +40    3
2 Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk   1   0  1  0   28  28   0    2
  Chuckio                  1   0  1  0   28  28   0    2
4 Solra                    1   0  0  1    8  48 −40    1

Pool 3
Tamarindia 17–28 The Kytler Peninsulae
Krytenia 26–36 Tarrentum

  Pool 3                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Kytler Peninsulae    1   1  0  0   28  17 +11    3
2 Tarrentum                1   1  0  0   36  26 +10    3
3 Krytenia                 1   0  0  1   26  36 −10    1
4 Tamarindia               1   0  0  1   17  28 −11    1

Pool 4
Wolfmanne 41–10 Mytannion
Civil Citizenry 39–29 Kerblaekistan

  Pool 4                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Wolfmanne                1   1  0  0   41  10 +31    3
2 Civil Citizenry          1   1  0  0   39  29 +10    3
3 Kerblaekistan            1   0  0  1   29  39 −10    1
4 Mytannion                1   0  0  1   10  41 −31    1

Pool 5
The Babbage Islands 50–0 Tekcirb
Wadomia 31–20 Beldonia

  Pool 5                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Babbage Islands      1   1  0  0   50   0 +50    3
2 Wadomia                  1   1  0  0   31  20 +11    3
3 Beldonia                 1   0  0  1   20  31 −11    1
4 Tekcirb                  1   0  0  1    0  50 −50    1

Pool 6
Andossa Se Mitrin Vega 36–12 Mossulia
Vettrera 24–30 Spitfyred1

  Pool 6                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega   1   1  0  0   36  12 +24    3
2 Spitfyred1               1   1  0  0   30  24  +6    3
3 Vettrera                 1   0  0  1   24  30  −6    1
4 Mossulia                 1   0  0  1   12  36 −24    1

Pool 7
Delaclava 52–2 Megadia
Thatius 32–28 Carmadin

  Pool 7                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Delaclava                1   1  0  0   52   2 +50    3
2 Thatius                  1   1  0  0   32  28  +4    3
3 Carmadin                 1   0  0  1   28  32  −4    1
4 Megadia                  1   0  0  1    2  52 −50    1

[Mossulia]

Mossulia get a kicking from vetrans
Andossa Se Mitrin Vega 36–12 Mossulia

Current bowl winners and one time runners up Andossa Se Mitrin Vega defeated Mossulia in style yesterday at the McLeod cup. The new Mossulian team mostly consists of footballers who need some out of season excersize to keep them ticking over. The team arrived in The Babbage Islands about two weeks ago now and have been practising the basics of this game for about three months. However for some out of practise athletes this lot seems to have a basic grasp of the game now.Julia Suarez is the current star of the team and as Orange back managed to win eight points in the second play of the first quarter, however it was down hill from there. Before the end of the first period Mossulia had managed three stuffs mostly from fumbles. Later on though they got the hang of it and a couple of stuffs from the ASMV team made it 12-20 going into the final quarter. However Mossulia seemed to lose it and ASMV picked up touchdowns from another two female players giving the final score of 36-12 to ASMV.Next Mossulia have Spitfryed1 to play and it could possibly be a good day for Mossulia even though Spitfryed1 come off the back of a victory.

Squad
Starters in Italics

Defence
John Finn (Rusher)
Katy Hoyke (Middle/Nickel)
Ewan Vitterg (Middle/Charger)
Luke Parsons (Rusher)
Jane Carpenter (Rusher)
Penny Otto (Safety/Charger)
Lilly Murt (Middle/Nickel)

Offense
Andrew Maisons (Quarterback)
Harry Yule (Fly/Deep/Screen)
Carlos Smith (Deep/Fly/Slant)
Julia Suarez (Orange back/Snapper/)
Elisa Sinse (Screen/Fly)
Pete Lauren (Snapper/Slant)
Sindy Gellen (Screen)

[Thatius]

Thatius Roster for the 6th Mcleod Cup

Head Coach: Bradley Jovan
Offensive Coordinator: Jenny Perls
Defensive Coordinator: Boris Ivansevic
Team Name: The Firebirds
Colors: Red and Black

Offense:
QB- Grigor Mendev, Age 21
Slant- Angelique Hrabty, Age 27
Snapper- Kortney Balladonias, Age 30
Fly- Scott Johnson, Age 26
Screen- Stacey Oberhauser, Age 25
Orangeback- Marcos Aver, Age 24


Defense:
Charger- Marta del Rao, Age 28
Middle- Ian Pervak, Age 26
Middle- Ksenia Illy, Age 21
Rusher- Guillermo Feliancos, Age 29
Nickel- Connor Knowles, Age 20
Safety- Natalie Delvoski, Age 24


Bench:
Offensive: Larry DaVeeya, Age 24
Offensive: Samantha Vivez, Age 22
Offensive: Elizabeth Falla, Age 23
Defensive: Mary Colombo, Age 26
Defensive: Lee Kathan, Age 21
Defensive: Roland Knowles, Age 19


All six players starting on offensive returned to make the squad, as well as five of the six players starting on defense. Only Marta del Rao improved her performance as of late to be upgraded to starter. Four new players have also joined the national team since tryouts have begun and other players have been under-performed. The team looks forward to participating and hopes for a successful tournament!

[The Kytler Peninsulae]

A report from the extensive sports pages in the Zube Daily Times, the country's leading left-of-centre national paper, analogous to the NY Times/Guardian/<insert your own culturally applicable reference here>.

Teenage dreamers give the world a wake-up call
Motley crew of schoolkids and sport-switchers stun former finalists
Babbageball world struck by Kytlerian tactical innovations

Tamarindia 17-28 The Kytler Peninsulae

If anyone honestly expected this, one has to wonder if they were either ludicrously optimistic nationalists or else channelled by the mystical abilities of the so-called gypsy psychics that we all love to dismiss as fraudsters by the seaside. Or perhaps just figured that maybe the Kytlerian beginners' luck on the international stage - RP-inin, Verbosita, or otherwise - was just going to keep on keeping on.

There were doubts over the opposition, too. As much as the Tamarindian team thrived in reaching the final of the last McLeod Cup, and were this group's top seeds as a result, they were still a somewhat inexperienced side. A team that were formed from a motley group of early standouts from a nascent programme in the sport, alongside multi-sport athletes such as Fernando Durán. In fact, the whole team appeared to be connected to the Academy for International Relations, a multidisciplinary, international-focused research institute in the coastal city of Libertad; two alumni, the rest students or lecturers with research interests including the idea of "supernatural players".

The Kytlerians believed that maybe, just maybe, they might have a shot at this. Nobody else believed them; their goal, surely, was to keep the score down to something respectable. For the tournament as a whole, the official goal - according to head coach Nathan Hoborough - was to win "at least one game, and maybe the Shield".

From the word go, however, it was clear that the defense caused the Tamarindia team a shock. For a start, seeing an Olympic sprint champion at safety is going to unnerve anyone playing the fly assignment. Especially an unemployed 24-year-old seeking peace and quiet. Nesto Doma was unable to get anything going against Ocilla Dotos, on whom most neutral eyes were directed in all honesty. Glancing elsewhere on the field, they might have caught - if they looked carefully - the tiny frame of Jane Cornelis as a rusher, in a strategy that could, on this evidence, revolutionise Babbageball team selection.

Traditionally, rushers have been men, often converted defensive linemen from gridiron, using their size to get in a passing lane - and indeed the Kytlerians have such a player in Gerrit Dekker. But Cornelis - all 5'1" and 96lbs of her - is a specialist run blocker. Gridiron fans confused as anything by the idea of a petite sylph being used for run blocking - easily done, it must be said - have conveniently forgotten that Babbageball is a non-contact sport, with a down ended when a flag is stripped from the player in possession. Therefore, Cornelis - an ex-ballerina now working as a musical theatre choreographer in Kytler Bay City - is able to stop the run by adjusting her body perfectly to the movements of the oncoming player. When backed up, as was typical in this game, by the stockier Susan Gondelle - a roller derby star whose sister Yvie is the leading female skateboarder in the country - the team have a rushing pair that is hard to rush past, and a pass defense comprising of three men and the unofficial fastest woman in the multiverse. That creates matchup problems for any offense, which have to be addressed with smart playcalling.

Tamarindia completely failed to do so. On their first drive, not only did they not score, they actually gave points away; by preventing their opponents from passing midfield, the Kytlerians were awarded two points for a "stuff", putting them ahead 2-0 before they'd even taken possession themselves. What's more, the shock wasn't over for the Tamarindians; the Kytlerian offense was also unusual.

Conventional Babbageball strategies call for three receivers to run specific routes, and a solitary "screen back" who, as the name suggests, tends to receive screen passes from the quarterback. The Kytlerians field two screen backs, even three on some downs, and the remaining two receivers run various routes and are referred to as "wideouts" given the similarity between their role and that of a gridiron wide receiver.

Oh, and at any given time, between three and five of the offensive players on the field are schoolkids, a mildly inevitable consequence of the sport being primarily a secondary school staple at present while the details of a professional league is being planned. Not that they lack players with international experience; Matthew Snowdon was in The Martinstone School's title-winning under-16 rugby team in the TKCRU Festival of Rugby.

He was right at home with the lateral passing exchanges with Arika Sini and quarterback Alan Benson on the opening drive, especially as they would invariably end with a forward burst rather than a pass. A run-heavy offense is almost unheard of in Babbageball, and the Tamarindians were thrown well out of position - especially veteran rusher Hugo Caillett, who at 45 was theoretically old enough to be a grandfather to half the players he was facing. Snowdon eventually broke through for a touchdown on the ninth play of the drive, scoring five points - a touchdown is worth eight if a female player either scored it or set it up with a forward pass, but five otherwise - and the two-point conversion, the only type of conversion in the sport, was scored in the same way, putting the Kytlerians into a shock 9-0 lead.

There was a long way to go, though. Teams would regroup. And no question of clock management here; there's no clock in this sport, teams instead being provided with a stock of three possessions per quarter.

As the game continued, youthful Tusnelda Montez Murillo crept forward towards the line of scrimmage from her notional "middle" position, but that merely created space for the passing game, although Benson - who retired from gridiron at 19, disillusioned with the sport after suffering two major injuries in his short career - struggled for accuracy with his deep throws, and the team remained conservative on offense thereafter. Both defenses would dominate the remainder of not only the first quarter but the second as well, with neither team scoring a touchdown until Tamarindia scored a five-pointer through Durán's pass to Lucio La Spada wide on the left of the field. The conversion was not scored, however, and with the only other scoring in the half being two stuffs apiece, the Kytlerians led at half-time, 13-9, stunning all concerned in the crowd.

The third quarter was again dominated by defense, but this time not just of the containing variety. Tamarindian safety Jessenia Castro made a vital interception on the halfway line, scoring two points for the stuff to bring the score to 13-11, and almost adding eight for the touchdown before a last-ditch stop by Snowdon. The Tamarindians would then be denied by another interception, Durán's pass aimed at Carmen Ordóñez in the endzone for an eight-point touchdown but being picked off by Eric Lobsiger, who took the ball all the way to the endzone for a five-point touchdown which was converted by a pass to Snowdon. The lead was now back at nine points, and the Tamarindians needed offense. It was not forthcoming, and the only mercy was that they were gaining points from stuffs, bringing the score to 20-15 with two possessions each to go.

Then the game was up with a huge play. After Benson had passed to Snowdon to bring the ball past halfway on fourth down, the team entered "Code Orange", preventing them from completing another male-to-male forward pass until they completed a pass involving a female as either thrower or receiver. Ciara Wendell was promptly given the snap, and the former school heptathlon champion threw a perfectly weighted looping pass to Snowdon, who made the catch on the goal line for an eight-point touchdown that effectively clinched the game. The conversion was missed, and the final possession for the Kytlerians ended in a stuff as they opted for an all-rushing approach to prevent an interception return, but 28-17 was still - by any accounts - an astonishing final score.

"If I'm honest, we'd have been happy losing by this score," admitted a startled Hoborough. "I'd have said, hey, we kept them down to 28, let's get our offensive production going and perhaps get ball-hawking more to look for INTs (interceptions) and INT touchdowns that could take the pressure off the offense. But to actually win this by double digits, I mean, there are no words. It's our first ever competitive game and we beat the finalists from last time - I'm not religious, but you've gotta call that a miracle."

The other pool games gave a better idea of what could have befallen the Kytlerians, as The Babbage Islands humbled Tekcirb 50-0, while Delaclava at least allowed Megadia onto the scoresheet in a 52-2 humbling. Krytenia and Tarrentum are the two other teams in the Kytlerians' Pool 3, and even their match ended in an upset, Tarrentum winning a fine game 36-26.

As for that official target? Well, it's already been met. The Shield is not going to be in any Kytlerian trophy cabinet.

[Spitfyred1]

Vettrera 24–30 Spitfyred1

In a heated battle between a rising Babbage squad and a perennial, the rising Fyreballz came out on top.

The Fyreballz were favourites to many bookmakers, but the odds were still close, and certain commentators placed the Vetterans as favourites. The Fyreballz offense was considered a liabilty with two new starters.

The Fyreballz defense remained as steadfast as expected. In this competition, many of the players broke out. Dove Partridge, the defensive star from the last cup, had a good match and shut-down her mark. Jen Apple was quick and really played well against the rush. Reserve Boots Nails had a strong game while playing charger. Her attack was not predicted and flummoxed the opponents.

The new offense stumbled at first but eventually figured it out. Jane Zee was a little shaky at first, too conservative and apprehensive about rushing. After an interception and a three-and-out, she started playing better. Her short passes to Elliot Missy and Candi Sweets were bullets and worked as steady yardage. She also threw in a few runs by Suga Sweets and herself. Jacob Fox didn't get much passes as Zee wasn't confident enough to throw long.

The team played very well as was confident with the win. The team is still working on the offensive spectrum of playing. They look to their next match against Mossulia and expect to win.

[The Golden Tamarind]

Hugo Reflects On Being Found Out

We were found out, said Coach Hugo, miserably, to his advisor and assistant Kuo Wan. I think we've been bluffing, with all these crazy plays, - shaking his dog-eared playbook - and when push came to stuff, we were found wanting. Those kids! Ballerinas, the fastest woman in the multiverse, a bunch of cockney pickpockets - have you read Oliver Twist, Kuo? Those kids were straight out of Dickens. I'm surprised they didn't have the shirts off our backs. I for one had to check my change when we got back to the locker room.

The Coach had a point. They may be new to the Mcleod Cup, but it was obvious from the outset that they knew more about Babbage Rules at the tender age of fifteen - fifteen, by the jumping monkey! - than the combined pool of knowledge of the whole Ambassador's team. Poor Alfredo de Torrente was old enough to be great-grandfather to some of those Kytlerian cutpurse bung-nabbers. It was not hard to admit: they were a demonstration in organised and beautifully expressed Babbalo, and the blaggers from Tamarindia were shown up as fakes and forgers, from a country that still thought of any sport where you picked up the ball as Funny Football. We have to sit down and look at our friends from the Peninsula, said the Coach, and try to work out what exactly they were doing with three screens and what in the name of the hairy river dolphin a wideout is. I think, Kuo, we can just about bin this, he said, shaking his beloved playbook.

Professor de Torrente and Kuo Wan had listened to the despairing coach for long enough. True, it wasn't just this game. They had now lost four of the last five games dating back to the Cup final last year and seemed to have passed their peak. True, the new boys Leni and Fulvio were rather useless and had been badly humiliated by the kids from the Peninsula. True, Nesto Doma was given a torrid time by that ball of lightning Ocilla 'The Oscillator' Dotos - if anyone was 'found out', it was Nesto. He looked thoroughly dispirited as a result, but he wasn't the only one. The AIR Ambassadors were in the doldrums. If anyone could get them out of it, it would have to be Coach Hugo with his book of tricks and his miniature Subbutalo^TM figures, a staple diet that had served them well in their first two tournaments. If anyone can get them out of it, said the Professor, it will have to be you, Coach, with that book of tricks and your miniature Subbutalo^TM figures. The coach did not look especially reassured. Come on, Coach! They've been a staple diet of the last two tournaments, said Kuo, and they've served them well enough so far.

Distractedly, the Coach ran through play #13 with his assistants before trying it out on the team, the

Pickpocket's Finger Spring,

an offensive trick play designed in response to some poor turnovers, those damn stuffs, from last time out. To counter the wily fingers of all those balletic rushers in the babbalo world. But his heart wasn't in it: truth be told, he was running out of ideas. I'm running out of ideas he said, to which they chorused nonsense! Kuo thought secretly that Hugo was rather too easily deflated by a poor run of form or even a single defeat, but the Professor wondered whether the presence in The Babbage Islands of Saturnino Serrano, the notorious hack and babbalo skeptic, was at the heart of the matter. And look, there he was now, in the window taking pictures of them as Hugo moved his miniature Purple Wave through their Finger Spring trap. Best not mention it to Hugo. He was miserable enough already.

[The Babbage Islands]

Mcleod Cup VI
Pool Play: Round Two

Pool 1
Garon-Averia 19–64 Cyborg Holland
Darmen 26–19 Armorgames

  Pool 1                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Darmen                   2   2  0  0   68  28 +40    6
2 Armorgames               2   1  0  1   55  44 +11    4
3 Cyborg Holland           2   1  0  1   82  55 +27    4
4 Garon-Averia             2   0  0  2   28 106 −78    2

Pool 2
Solra 12–39 Chuckio
Cassadaigua 26–27 Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk

  Pool 2                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Chuckio                  2   1  1  0   67  40 +27    5
2 Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk   2   1  1  0   55  54  +1    5
3 Cassadaigua              2   1  0  1   74  35 +39    4
4 Solra                    2   0  0  2   20  87 −67    2

Pool 3
The Kytler Peninsulae 25–17 Tarrentum
Tamarindia 39–21 Krytenia

  Pool 3                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Kytler Peninsulae    2   2  0  0   53  34 +19    6
2 Tamarindia               2   1  0  1   56  49  +7    4
3 Tarrentum                2   1  0  1   53  51  +2    4
4 Krytenia                 2   0  0  2   47  75 −28    2

Pool 4
Mytannion 31–37 Kerblaekistan
Wolfmanne 33–18 Civil Citizenry

  Pool 4                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Wolfmanne                2   2  0  0   74  28 +46    6
2 Civil Citizenry          2   1  0  1   57  62  −5    4
3 Kerblaekistan            2   1  0  1   66  70  −4    4
4 Mytannion                2   0  0  2   41  78 −37    2

Pool 5
Tekcirb 6–45 Beldonia
The Babbage Islands 42–6 Wadomia

  Pool 5                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Babbage Islands      2   2  0  0   92   6 +86    6
2 Wadomia                  2   1  0  1   37  62 −25    4
3 Beldonia                 2   1  0  1   65  37 +28    4
4 Tekcirb                  2   0  0  2    6  95 −89    2

Pool 6
Mossulia 6–30 Spitfyred1
Andossa Se Mitrin Vega 19–32 Vettrera

  Pool 6                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Spitfyred1               2   2  0  0   60  30 +30    6
2 Vettrera                 2   1  0  1   56  49  +7    4
3 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega   2   1  0  1   55  44 +11    4
4 Mossulia                 2   0  0  2   18  66 −48    2

Pool 7
Megadia 9–33 Carmadin
Delaclava 14–25 Thatius

  Pool 7                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Thatius                  2   2  0  0   57  42 +15    6
2 Delaclava                2   1  0  1   66  27 +39    4
3 Carmadin                 2   1  0  1   61  41 +20    4
4 Megadia                  2   0  0  2   11  85 −74    2

[Andossa Se Mitrin Vega]

OOC- damn. thought i had time to get this in. Oh well

Sea Dragons Begin Search For Title With Unconvincing Win

It’s hard to argue the point that a 36-12 victory for the number 1 ranked teamm in the world should be seen as a near catastrophic failure, but that is just what Head Coach Lofutumii Ja’Orique has called the Sea Dragon’s win over Mossulia. And surprisingly I would have to agree with him on this one. A miserable performance by Kin'ia'an as she went 6-29 for 174 yards was completely masked by the four big bombs that produced eight-scores (Lorot'u - 2, Lyeaip'a - 1, Ia'gha'ient -1) and 154 of those yards. Add to that a very pedestrian 2-2 on conversions and it becomes easy to see the cause concern. Even the defense which allowed only 2 five-scores and a single conversion wasn’t nearly as good as those stats would indicate as the opponents generated 456 yards on offense. If not for three dropped eight-scores things could have turned out very differently. Here is what Ja’Orique had to say following the game.

“Don’t blow smoke up my ass about how well we played. We sucked out there. Fortunately for us they made some huge mistakes that really hurt them.”

“Kin’ia’an will be ok. I would not expect her to continue to struggle. For whatever reason it just wasn’t a great performance today.”

“Zh'rakach is another question altogether. He tweaked his knee on that play and just cant put much pressure on it right now. He will have an MRI in the morning and we will know more.”

“If he cant go, the defense changes a bunch. Ale'que adds another rusher but gives up coverage. We will have to make it work.”

With the next game being against Vettera, the Sea Dragons should have a good result. We will keep you informed of all the news from The Babbage islands.

[Darmen]

DBRF NEWS
For all the latest news regarding Darmeni and International Babbage Rules Competition

In this Issue...
Week One of DBRF Action
Darmen Dominates in Game One
Darmen Wins in Game Two
Other News from around the Mcleod Cup

Week One of DBRF Action

North Division
Racine Legion 31–23 De Pere
Racine 16–32 Chicago Stayleys
Chicago Boosters 16–23 Chicago Chillar AC

  North Division             Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Chicago Stayleys             1    1   0   0    32   16  +16    1.000
2 Racine Legion                1    1   0   0    31   23   +8    1.000
3 Chicago Chillar AC           1    1   0   0    23   16   +7    1.000
4 Chicago Boosters             1    0   0   1    16   23   −7    0.000
5 De Pere                      1    0   0   1    23   31   −8    0.000
6 Racine                       1    0   0   1    16   32  −16    0.000

South Division
Beliot Fairies 39–21 Kaukauna Darmeni Legion
Beliot Professionals 24–15 Ishpeming
Evansville Crimson Giants 29–28 Hammond Pros

  South Division             Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Beliot Fairies               1    1   0   0    39   21  +18    1.000
2 Beliot Professionals         1    1   0   0    24   15   +9    1.000
3 Evansville Crimson Giants    1    1   0   0    29   28   +1    1.000
4 Hammond Pros                 1    0   0   1    28   29   −1    0.000
5 Ishpeming                    1    0   0   1    15   24   −9    0.000
6 Kaukauna Darmeni Legion      1    0   0   1    21   39  −18    0.000

East Division
Marinette Northerners 22–26 New London
Marinette Professionals 36–14 Minneapolis Marines
Menominee North End AC 22–40 Menominee Professionals

  East Division              Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Marinette Professionals      1    1   0   0    36   14  +22    1.000
2 Menominee Professionals      1    1   0   0    40   22  +18    1.000
3 New London                   1    1   0   0    26   22   +4    1.000
4 Marinette Northerners        1    0   0   1    22   26   −4    0.000
5 Menominee North End AC       1    0   0   1    22   40  −18    0.000
6 Minneapolis Marines          1    0   0   1    14   36  −22    0.000

West Division
Milwaukee Lapham AC 12–45 Stambaugh Miners
Milwaukee Maple Leaf AC 31–17 Sheboygan Company C
Oshkosh Professionals 36–17 Rock Island Independents

  West Division              Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Stambaugh Miners             1    1   0   0    45   12  +33    1.000
2 Oshkosh Professionals        1    1   0   0    36   17  +19    1.000
3 Milwaukee Maple Leaf AC      1    1   0   0    31   17  +14    1.000
4 Sheboygan Company C          1    0   0   1    17   31  −14    0.000
5 Rock Island Independents     1    0   0   1    17   36  −19    0.000
6 Milwaukee Lapham AC          1    0   0   1    12   45  −33    0.000

New London, coming off a second place finish at the Tamarindiana Invite squeaked out a four point win over the Northerners. Stambaugh dominated the Lapham AC sqaud, winning by a whopping 33 points.

Darmen Dominates in Game One
Darmen defeated Garon-Averia, 42-9, in the opening game of the Sixth Mcleod Cup. Brendi Jones lead Darmen in rushing, while on defence, Xua Hans and John Bryant combined for 3 stuffs. Darmen was in no danger of ever loosing this game, as Garon-Averia was simply overmatched.

Darmen Wins in Game Two
Darmen defeated Armorgames, 26-19. Brendi Jones again led Darmen in rushing, scoring two touchdowns. Xua Hans recorded a stuff, while Berry Fincle and Kii Won connected on a long touchdown reception. Darmen struggled on conversions though, going 0-3. Armorgames threatened Darmen up until the fourth quarter, where Darmen's defence stepped up and held Armorgames scorless.

Other News from around the Mcleod Cup
On Day One, Chuckio drew with ABK 28-28, and The Kytler Peninsulae defeated Tamarindia 28-17, in a very suprising upset. The Babbage Islands were in top form as they shut out Tekcirb, 50-0, and Delaclava defeated Megadia by a whopping 52-2.

On Day Two, Cyborg Holland scored 64 points on their way to a 64-19 win over Garon-Averia. Chuckio continued it's winning ways, defeating Solra, 39-12. ABK upset #4 Cassadaigua, 27-26, while The Kytler Peninsulae defeated Tarrentum, 25-17. The Kytler Peninsulae looks to be one of the best newcomers to the Mcleod Cup, and they should be able to come out on top of the Group. Tamarindia rebounded from their Day One loss with a 39-21 victory over Krytenia. The Babbage Islands look very strong, as they defeated Wadomia, 42-6. The Number One team in the world, Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, was defeated by upstart Vettrera, 32-19. And in Pool Seven, Thatius defeated Delaclava, 25-14.

[Mytannion]

"Uh, seriously - what is this sport?"

"Well, it's like Mytanar rules - but personally I feel it's a bit more restrictive as you have to have teams which are mixed-gender, whereas we leave it upto the team management on who they want to pick and whoever they feel are the best players are used..."

"Oh right. Any other differences?"

"Well, it's 6-a-side rather than 9 on each side of the ball.. Erm, I don't think you can kick the ball and retain it either.."

"Really?! What? I thought that would be part of the fabric of any sport with 'football' in its name, I can understand in american football - but we change that anyway, it's gridiron.. But come on.. Kicking is a vital part of mytanar rules isn't it? I mean, teams have plays designed to advance the ball via kicking rather than passing it. It's just a part of the game, the quarterbacks have to be able to kick in Mytanar rules..."

"Well, we can't affect it - it is their sport and it appears to work well. Apart from them differences, they have a possession thing.. Erm, they have code orange as well, which is similar to our Play Variation thing, you know, where if they run it they have to pass it one the next play - but they're allowed two pass plays in a row. It's to encourage more offensive play in Mytanar football - well, in Babbage rules, it's to do with the gender of the players. There are some other things but I can't think of them right now.."

"Wow."

"What?"

"This sport is messed up."

"You're an idiot."

"Shut up!"

"Well if you think the sport is messed up, why do you want to play it?"

"Saw it on television.."

"Oh dear."

---

--Six months later at the McLeod Cup--

"I don't think we learnt the rules of this sport well enough Jared."

"Joe, I officially hate you."

[Carmadin]

"wait what?"
"oh, lord save us. We're playing Babbage Rules again"
"I hate working at the sport department. The football team is outta the BoF, and nobody tells us we're back playing Babbage"
"I know. Our team's so mysterious. Annoying, isn't it?"
"Well our little mysterious team lost their first game"
"Darn!"
"But.............."
"But what? Come on, we've gotta get back to work soon"
"I know. But we won our second game."
"YES!!!!!!!!!!"

**Sport Department Executives, Please stop dancing in the halls**

"But we beat Megadia 33-9!!"

**Sport Department Executives. I am coming to join you in your dance**

[Spitfyred1]

Mossulia 6–30 Spitfyred1

In a much stronger game than there cup debut, the Fyreballz put up a convincing win over Mossulia.

The defense was stronger than the first game, most likely a result of the comparatively weaker opposition. Jane Zee managed to play well, finding her recievers often and moving the chains well. After finding a solid, the squad settled into the running game. Suga Sweets and Candi Sweets carrried the team for the rest of the match, running good routes. Suga put up an amazing highlight reel run late i the game. Jacob Fox was the player of the match, getting the brunt of the yard.

The defense remained the solid backbone of the squad. They clamped down on their opponents and prevented much yardage. The corners picked up a few interceptions including one by Dove Partridge utilizing a huge jump. Pete Worst threw in a nice pickoff, which he returned far.

The Fyreballz are currently number one in their group but have a tough test against ASMV, who are considered number one in the world. ASMV is coming of an upset loss so should be playing hard.

[Thatius]

Thatius and Babbage Rules: Past versus Present

Associated Sports Conference
Online Article, 11/14/11

Only a few days ago the Sixth Mcleod Cup for Babbage rules football started, with Thatius taking part. It marks the third overall Babbage rules tournament that Thatius has participated in after the Fourth and Fifth Mcleod Cups. We take a look at the growth of the sport for Thatius, from the beginnings to the future outlook.

Going up to someone in downtown Fajaravik a few months ago you could not get a single correct answer about what Babbage rules football is. Most answered saying it's like American football, but only played in the Babbage Islands. Only about two people interviewed of about five hundred knew what the sport was, after they saw it on some internet site. But then, the Sports Department began to research the sport after hearing of it's popularity in many other countries. They then collected a few people who were interested, and formed a team, with worthwhile practices.

A total of twenty-five people were recruited by the Thatian Sports Department to join the national Babbage rules team. Many of them had never heard of the sport before, but were willing to try something new. After a few weeks of practice, the team was entered in the 4th Mcleod Cup. Performance there was lackluster, as the Firebirds only managed one win to four losses. Yet that experience left a lasting impact on the players. They wanted more, to compete again, and to perhaps find some glory. Led by Quarterback Grigor Mendev and Nickel Connor Knowles, the team re-formed to enter in the 5th Mcleod Cup. In the group stage, the Firebirds actually managed a lot of success, reaching the Plate semifinals. En route to the semifinals, they managed to come out on top of their group after beating Darmen and Tarrentum but losing to Spitfyred1. In the quarterfinals, they outlasted Delaclava to set up another match against Darmen, which they eventually lost. By the end of the tournament, the hunger felt by the young Firebird team was not satiated. Instead, it was fired up, as advancing so far made them only hungrier to take another step.

Finally, the 6th Mcleod Cup arrived. Ranked at 14, the Firebirds have elevated their performance to some of the best in the world. Already, they have beat fellow group competitors Delaclava and Carmadin, placing them first in their group. All that's left for their next match is un-ranked Megadia, who should prove to be easy prey after their losses against two teams that Thatius has already beat. After that, it's the road to the Cup Quarterfinals and potentially semi-finals. We'll see how far the luck and skill of the Firebirds will go.

One thing to note is the fan popularity of Babbage rules. Many people have noted that it is an unconventional sport since it allows for competition between both men and women. It's similarity to regular football makes it interesting, but the differences help keep interest in the sport. Since the debut of Thatius in the 4th Mcleod Cup, Babbage rules has risen to one of the top ten most played sports in Thatius, and is currently rising in popularity with young adults. A survey by the Associated Sports Conference found that Babbage rules has increased by 400% in popularity among people in Thatius, with over 76,000 people playing in clubs throughout the country, and many more playing recreationally.

We hope that the continued success of the Firebirds will lead to more victories as well as more people participating in the sport. Watch the Thatian Firebirds live on BalkanSport, channel 43, in their match against Megadia tomorrow.

[The Babbage Islands]

Mcleod Cup VI
Pool Play: Round Three

Pool 1
Armorgames 40–23 Garon-Averia
Cyborg Holland 23–19 Darmen

  Pool 1                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Darmen                   3   2  0  1   87  51 +36    7 Cup
2 Cyborg Holland           3   2  0  1  105  74 +31    7 Plate
3 Armorgames               3   2  0  1   95  67 +28    7 Plate
4 Garon-Averia             3   0  0  3   51 146 −95    3 Shield

Pool 2
Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk 47–4 Solra
Chuckio 13–47 Cassadaigua

  Pool 2                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk   3   2  1  0  102  58 +44    8 Cup
2 Cassadaigua              3   2  0  1  121  48 +73    7 Cup
3 Chuckio                  3   1  1  1   80  87  −7    6 Bowl
4 Solra                    3   0  0  3   24 134 −110   3 Shield

Pool 3
Krytenia 31–17 The Kytler Peninsulae
Tarrentum 14–25 Tamarindia

  Pool 3                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Kytler Peninsulae    3   2  0  1   70  65  +5    7 Cup
2 Tamarindia               3   2  0  1   81  63 +18    7 Plate
3 Tarrentum                3   1  0  2   67  76  −9    5 Bowl
4 Krytenia                 3   1  0  2   78  92 −14    5 Bowl

Pool 4
Civil Citizenry 28-32 Mytannion
Kerblaekistan 37–14 Wolfmanne

  Pool 4                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Kerblaekistan            3   2  0  1  103  84 +19    7 Cup
2 Wolfmanne                3   2  0  1   88  65 +23    7 Plate
3 Mytannion                3   1  0  2   73 106 −33    5 Bowl
4 Civil Citizenry          3   1  0  2   85  94  −9    5 Bowl

Pool 5
Wadomia 38–10 Tekcirb
Beldonia 17–34 The Babbage Islands

  Pool 5                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 The Babbage Islands      3   3  0  0  126  23 +103   9 Cup
2 Wadomia                  3   2  0  1   75  72  +3    7 Plate
3 Beldonia                 3   1  0  2   82  71 +11    5 Bowl
4 Tekcirb                  3   0  0  3   16 133 −117   3 Shield

Pool 6
Vettrera 37–23 Mossulia
Spitfyred1 21–42 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega

  Pool 6                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega   3   2  0  1   97  65 +32    7 Cup
2 Vettrera                 3   2  0  1   93  72 +21    7 Plate
3 Spitfyred1               3   2  0  1   81  72  +9    7 Plate
4 Mossulia                 3   0  0  3   41 103 −62    3 Bowl

Pool 7
Thatius 23–13 Megadia
Carmadin 26–22 Delaclava

  Pool 7                 Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Thatius                  3   3  0  0   80  55 +25    9 Cup
2 Carmadin                 3   2  0  1   87  63 +24    7 Plate
3 Delaclava                3   1  0  2   88  53 +35    5 Bowl
4 Megadia                  3   0  0  3   24 108 −84    3 Shield

Seeding

1 The Babbage Islands      3   3  0  0  126  23 +103   9 Cup
1 Thatius                  3   3  0  0   80  55 +25    9 Cup
1 Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk   3   2  1  0  102  58 +44    8 Cup
1 Darmen                   3   2  0  1   87  51 +36    7 Cup
1 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega   3   2  0  1   97  65 +32    7 Cup
1 Kerblaekistan            3   2  0  1  103  84 +19    7 Cup
1 The Kytler Peninsulae    3   2  0  1   70  65  +5    7 Cup
2 Cassadaigua              3   2  0  1  121  48 +73    7 Cup

2 Cyborg Holland           3   2  0  1  105  74 +31    7 Plate
2 Carmadin                 3   2  0  1   87  63 +24    7 Plate
2 Wolfmanne                3   2  0  1   88  65 +23    7 Plate
2 Vettrera                 3   2  0  1   93  72 +21    7 Plate
2 Tamarindia               3   2  0  1   81  63 +18    7 Plate
2 Wadomia                  3   2  0  1   75  72  +3    7 Plate
3 Armorgames               3   2  0  1   95  67 +28    7 Plate
3 Spitfyred1               3   2  0  1   81  72  +9    7 Plate

3 Chuckio                  3   1  1  1   80  87  −7    6 Bowl
3 Delaclava                3   1  0  2   88  53 +35    5 Bowl
3 Beldonia                 3   1  0  2   82  71 +11    5 Bowl
3 Tarrentum                3   1  0  2   67  76  −9    5 Bowl
3 Mytannion                3   1  0  2   73 106 −33    5 Bowl
4 Civil Citizenry          3   1  0  2   85  94  −9    5 Bowl
4 Krytenia                 3   1  0  2   78  92 −14    5 Bowl
4 Mossulia                 3   0  0  3   41 103 −62    3 Bowl

4 Megadia                  3   0  0  3   24 108 −84    3 Shield
4 Garon-Averia             3   0  0  3   51 146 −95    3 Shield
4 Solra                    3   0  0  3   24 134 −110   3 Shield
4 Tekcirb                  3   0  0  3   16 133 −117   3 Shield

[The Babbage Islands]

Mcleod Cup VI
Week Two Pairings

Monday, October 17

K1  Shield Quarterfinal: Megadia v Tekcirb
K2  Shield Quarterfinal: Garon-Averia v Solra
K3  Bowl Quarterfinal: Chuckio v Mossulia
K4  Bowl Quarterfinal: Tarrentum v Mytannion
K5  Bowl Quarterfinal: Beldonia v Civil Citizenry
K6  Bowl Quarterfinal: Delaclava v Krytenia
K7  Plate Quarterfinal: Cyborg Holland v Spitfyred1
K8  Plate Quarterfinal: Vettrera v Tamarindia
K9  Plate Quarterfinal: Wolfmanne v Wadomia
K10 Plate Quarterfinal: Carmadin v Armorgames
K11 Cup Quarterfinal: The Babbage Islands v Cassadaigua
K12 Cup Quarterfinal: Darmen v Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
K13 Cup Quarterfinal: Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk v Kerblaekistan
K14 Cup Quarterfinal: Thatius v The Kytler Peninsulae

Wednesday, October 19

K15 Shield Semifinal: Winner K1 v higher-ranked Loser from K3 or K4
K16 Shield Semifinal: Winner K2 v higher-ranked Loser from K5 or K6
K17 Bowl Semifinal: Winners K3 and K4
K18 Bowl Semifinal: Winners K5 and K6
K19 Plate Semifinal: Winners K7 and K8
K20 Plate Semifinal: Winners K9 and K10
K21 Cup Semifinal: Winners K11 and K12
K22 Cup Semifinal: Winners K13 and K14

Friday, October 21

K23 Shield Final: Winners K15 and K16
K24 Bowl Final: Winners K17 and K18
K25 Plate Final: Winners K19 and K20
K26 Cup Final: Winners K21 and K22

[Carmadin]

"Okay, so, we won. We upset Delaclava"
"YES!!!!"

**SPORT DEPATMENT EXCECUTIVES!!!!!!!!**

"but.....sir, we beat Delaclava. We're in the running for the Mcleod Plate"

**YES!!!!!!**

"Excatly! So boss, whaddya say?"

"Boss?"

**Number one: Get back to your desks. I know, we're competing for the Mcleod Plate and everything, but that's no reason to stop working**

"sure it is. Come on, boss, let us have a little fun."

**You can have your party when we beat Armorgames. Now back to work!!**

"Dammit boss, please?"

**No**

"Pretty please?"

**No**

"pretty please with a cherry on top?"

**NO!!!!**

"we'll have Elmonijan Steak"

**All right! When is it? I'm ready!!**

[Mytannion]

"Wow, that was close man."

"4 points."

"Enough to get us into the Bowl Quarters though."

"Aye, good result - I think the fact we were playing them bastard Citiz was a driving force behind the win.

"Tarrentum next. Winnable game."

"If you say so, can't be much worse than us though, to be fair."

"Well, they all love baseball - the idiots. Probably think it is a crooked version of that and will turn up with bats and hot-dogs."

"Bit harsh, really."

"Nah."

"You're a dick sometimes you know that."

"Fuck off."

"Well I mean, we're not the best team ever. We've not won any big tournaments ever."

"Still better than the baseball-lovers."

"Well, we have a baseball league too! And it's not like we know every rule in the sport."

"Well maybe you don't, but I certainly do."

"Bet you don't."

"Yeah, okay then."

--Later--

"Okay then, can you score by making a safety like in american football?"

"Of course."

"No you can't, aha wanker!"

(OOC: views in this rp do not reflect the real views of myself and are purely IC).

[Darmen]

DBRF NEWS
For all the latest news regarding Darmeni and International Babbage Rules Competition

In this Issue...
Week Two, Day One, of DBRF Action
Darmen Loses in Shocker
Other News from around the Mcleod Cup

Week Two, Day One of DBRF Action

North Division
De Pere 26–25 Chicago Chillar AC
Chicago Stayleys 37–20 Chicago Boosters
Racine Legion 32–12 Racine

  North Division             Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Chicago Stayleys             2    2   0   0    69   36  +33    1.000
2 Racine Legion                2    2   0   0    63   35  +28    1.000
3 Chicago Chillar AC           2    1   0   1    48   42   +6    0.500
4 De Pere                      2    1   0   1    49   56   −7    0.500
5 Chicago Boosters             2    0   0   2    36   60  −24    0.000
6 Racine                       2    0   0   2    28   64  −36    0.000

South Division
Kaukauna Darmeni Legion 15–39 Hammond Pros
Ishpeming 35–22 Evansville Crimson Giants
Beliot Fairies 26–22 Beliot Professionals

  South Division             Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Beliot Fairies               2    2   0   0    65   43  +22    1.000
2 Hammond Pros                 2    1   0   1    67   44  +23    0.500
3 Beliot Professionals         2    1   0   1    46   41   +5    0.500
4 Ishpeming                    2    1   0   1    50   46   +4    0.500
5 Evansville Crimson Giants    2    1   0   1    51   63  −12    0.500
6 Kaukauna Darmeni Legion      2    0   0   2    36   78  −42    0.000

In the North Division, the Stayleys are establishing themselves as early division favorites, while the Racine Legion also look to be a darn good team. In the South Division, the Beliot Fairies look to be the strongest team.

Darmen Loses in Shocker
Darmen lost to Cyborg Holland, 19-23, in the final game of Pool Play. Darmen led 19-15 going into the fourth quarter, but an eight point Cyborg Holland touchdown on the second posestion put Darmen down by 4 points. Xua Hans knocked down the pass on the conversion, and Darmen went to work on offense, trying to get the game winning score. Brendi Jones rushed several times for large gains, and Kii Won caught a deep pass of play action. However, on the next play, Berry Fincle's pass to Mike Funi fell short into the hands of the Cyborg Holland Nickel.

Despite the loss, Darmen has won Pool A, and will advance to the Cup Quarterfinals, which will be a #1 vs. #2 game. Darmen will face number one ranked Andossa Se Mitrin Vega, who also went 2-0-1 in Pool Play. Darmen will need to stop ASMV's offense, who are led by Quarterback Niyadidy Kin'ia'an. If Darmen wins the quarterfinal game, they will face either The Babbage Islands or Cassadaigua.

Other News from around the Mcleod Cup
ABK defeated Solra 47-4, while The Kytler Peninsulae was defeated by Krytenia, 17-31. Tamarindia defeated Tarrentum 25-14, and suprise Mytannion defeated Civil Citizenry, 32-28. The Babbage Islands defeated Beldonia 34-17, while Andossa Se Mitrin Vega defeated Spitfred1, 42-21. Thatius defeated Megadia, 23-13, while Carmadin defeated Delaclava, 26-22.

Your Cup Quarterfinal matches look like this:

K11 Cup Quarterfinal: The Babbage Islands v Cassadaigua
K12 Cup Quarterfinal: Darmen v Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
K13 Cup Quarterfinal: Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk v Kerblaekistan
K14 Cup Quarterfinal: Thatius v The Kytler Peninsulae

[Andossa Se Mitrin Vega]

We now bring you the news conference with Niyadidy Kin'ia'an of the Sea Dragons live from TBI. As is the case with most sporting news conferences, do not expect tot actually hear the questions as they are asked.

“Of course we are excited to be playing Darmen in the next match. We always want to play the best so what could be better than #1 vs. #2?”

“Well that’s what happens when organizers make seedings with teams playing in different groups. They can only seed things the way they see them. If they had gone by rankings we would play someone else.”

“It really doesn’t matter. We play whoever they say we play next. Darmen, TBI, Cass. Anyone. Might as well get the toughest opponent out of the way now.”

“Vettrera? We played like shit. That’s what happened. But the fact remains that we played well enough to get to where we want to be for now and that is playing with a chance to beat Darmen and move forward towards a championship.”

“I already answered that. Next question.”

“Zh'rakach will be back for this one so the defense should be ready to hold up to the attack Darmen can muster. Although this might turn into one hell of a shootout.”

“That’s really none of your damn business. Next question.”

“Really? They are worried about stopping us? We are just worried about continuing to play well and not looking like we did the first two matches.”

“The key to slowing them down? Brendi and Janessa play as wide open as we do. Bricks in their shoes might do the trick.”

“C’mon. All the questions concerning the game and tournament you could ask and youn want to know if I am dating Jonasei Ariq’Alara. Yes, I am.”

“If you cant ask questions about the match, I am done here.”

[The Babbage Islands]

Mcleod Cup VI
Quarterfinals

Shield
Megadia 27–44 Tekcirb
Garon-Averia 13–29 Solra

Bowl
Chuckio 46–22 Mossulia
Tarrentum 24–27 Mytannion
Beldonia 40–22 Civil Citizenry
Delaclava 24–37 Krytenia

Plate
Cyborg Holland 26–13 Spitfyred1
Vettrera 25–27 Tamarindia
Wolfmanne 37–31 Wadomia
Carmadin 20–24 Armorgames

Cup
The Babbage Islands 21–32 Cassadaigua
Darmen 23–22 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk 39–29 Kerblaekistan
Thatius 28–11 The Kytler Peninsulae

Wednesday, October 19

K15 Shield Semifinal: Tekcirb v Tarrentum
K16 Shield Semifinal: Solra v Delaclava
K17 Bowl Semifinal: Chuckio v Mytannion
K18 Bowl Semifinal: Beldonia v Krytenia
K19 Plate Semifinal: Cyborg Holland v Tamarindia
K20 Plate Semifinal: Wolfmanne v Armorgames
K21 Cup Semifinal: Cassadaigua v Darmen
K22 Cup Semifinal: Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuk v Thatius

Friday, October 21

K23 Shield Final: Winners K15 and K16
K24 Bowl Final: Winners K17 and K18
K25 Plate Final: Winners K19 and K20
K26 Cup Final: Winners K21 and K22