AVBF Rugby 7's VI Everything Thread

[Northwest Kalactin]

Northwest Kalactin 28–17 Sajnur
Well, that isn’t bad by any means for the Kalactanian team. Of course, this match was against a unranked team, that we don’t know a ton about, but it isn’t bad at all. A 28-17 win was exactly what we asked for, and we now place second in the group right now. The young Kalactanian team mainly only has experience in the Rugby 7s World Cup, which was held in Barunia. Our Prop, Todd Bell, was a highlight player during the match, grabbing a try and stopping many attacks that the Sajnur team set fourth. 7s is the most popular code in the nation, although many of these players are relatively unknown to many fans, due to the fact that Rugby hasn’t gained enough national attraction from media and the such. Is is thought that anarchy will likely bring more money to the game, which will bring recognition from across the nation. It was a tough second half for the team, but Todd Bell on the defense was able help hold back Sajnur on most of their attacks and limit them from making the game too close for comfort.

Preview of our Group Part 1 of 3
Hutanjia
This will certainly be the toughest team in the group for sure, Hutanjia is the number 1 team in the world. We went undefeated against every team in the group during the R7WC. Except Hutanjia. We played everyone in the group to a close game. Except Hutanjia. They are probably the best team in the world, we were unable to beat them.

Sajnur
This was the team that we played on the first Matchday, and they seem to have a relatively strong offensive team. Sion Kurba may have played the strongest game out of anyone on the team for them, and managed a try and a penalty score. They are a new team, but with some experience this team could become a world power at rugby.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

OOC : The Wanderers' Guide To Somewhere season 2 is now completed and through. For this tournament, please grade Parts 5 and 7 as 6 and 8 were previously graded for World Cup 86.

Auld Lang Syne

PART 8 (24-3) - Season Finale - SECTION 3

PART 5/8 - Absolute

Travelling on the Nightstar, on my own for the first time.

As he looked out the window of a 1978 Laganiere sleeping car nearing its retirement in five years’ time, he was feeling something anew. He had spent many trips out of town, abroad and even a stint beyond the Multiversal realms. Of course those were usually accompanied- sometimes he went with dozens of teammates who he had carved something wonderful with, occasionally he went with his family for fun, and of course the crew would make occasional trips up the Muskoka, Kawarthas or even the Manitoulins, where Bradley Coughlan-Chen’s maternal family still lived.

Of course, those hours were usually spent on team buses, with the exception of national tourneys. Alone on the train, however...

47 trips. It’s his first unaccompanied train trip after 47 occasions where he was accompanied, usually with his mother, the Vdaran princess herself, and his brother Frank, and Asher was finding himself still relatively nervous to the whole solo travel. Sure, he was having a little trouble paying extra to travel on a solo B-Class compartment, and the additional comfort it brought, but the comfort wasn’t bringing his heart comfort either. Right now, all he could remember was the very rainy afternoon when he met Eileen; he intended to find a stray waiter, and her waiting for her hometown friend.

‘I don’t know….I remember looking back at the pier when I was little. The waters were all cold and nice, and sometimes you could swim in it and see the occasional ducks and loons walking past...I remember my red scarf flying away, like that film I watched in Endborough one time..’ He was recalling what Eileen said, a seemingly minor detail that proved to be a lot bigger than intended. He was holding a handkerchief as he recalled the details, one of the few things he carried with him that was still on his property after all these years. He never quite understood how the blue handkerchief, woven by an auntie who had married a Korean craftsman in Perce, Gaspesie province, had managed to come back to him after all this time. It seemed quite accidental but also fateful enough….perhaps he was getting the gist after all this time that there’s something with past and present meeting up again.

---

PART 6/8 - The Reason

Stranger in a strange land that he used to call home...heading back to a strange land where someone so familiar yet unfamiliar is waiting...

The train ride back to Montreal or Quebec City usually excites people, whether it be provincials going to the big city for something big and promising they see with the lights and the theatre, or just the Montrealais or Capitoliens travelling back home after a business trip. At times you'd see dozens of college students coming home from their classes in Cornwall, Ottawa and of course Kingston area schools, and they'd make their own noises as well. But for today, the mid-May train was quiet enough for Asher to really think back.

Sure, he's long used to those rides, having undergone many of those especially for the first two years of undergrad, but not a ton of those for personal purposes since his parents had moved back to Quebec City. While he prided himself in spending a decade growing up in prosperous Midtown Kingston, Asher wasn't entirely a Kingstonian in heart- spending many years beyond the interrealm portal before had long established that anyway- and he somewhat found ease at the nation's capital, which made sense since he rarely spent more than three weeks every year, in his grandfather's Bron-Yr-Aur estate.

Of course, this still didn't mean that he was entirely at ease in Quebec City either, and perhaps there's no surprise that Asher didn't really want to stay in Quebec beyond the four years of Universite St-Croix. Being a well-known grandson of a baron, whose family has carved a particular name in the Royal Quebecois Navy, had meant that everybody would kinda know he was. Sure, he was long familiar with the homely, interlinked atmosphere of Quebec City and its scholar domains, but having everything material and eros that you desired did not mean that you had anything or anybody you could want as well.

But can I?

That's the only question he held inside his head, as he checked his phone and texted her once again. He knew she was still in the city, and decided that he would have to make a tough decision.

Those tasks, which he had known very well as a history student at St. Croix, would require spiritual maturity or at least proper desire that goes beyond the animalistic calling for belonging. They would require something greater, and those weren't going to come unless he had really sought them out. Asher has never been the one to change himself out for the sake of other people. If he were a lower-class kid trying to break into somewhere higher like a social snake climbing up the ladders, sure. But he had name, pride and money, and so such would not be a case at all.

Of course, that may have been why he was even more stunned when it was Eileen who brought him that feeling back again, five years after his mistake. He, of course, knew very well that the divine being, high above, did not always bring the best ideas to his subjects, and felt like he shouldn't be the one going through this. The way they had just behaved, whether it be him irresistibly kissing her or her asking him to stay overnight, left him somewhat stunned. Was it right, for a man so broken and undeserving, to claim the woman who is deservingly not his? Maybe that's why he felt that all the guilt that transpired from this wasn't enough to forgive the man from his sins, and he knew that as well.

Perhaps he had understood the possibility of redemption, and he had secretly hoped for it. There would be no looking back no more. He had to make the decision, and it was going to happen before the VELO train arrived at Montreal Windsor station in time for early dinner hours.

Auld Lang Syne

PART 9 (24-4) - Season Finale - SECTION 4

PART 7/8 - This Town

Now, Asher was back here again. In front of her flat, shall we say.

Oh well…Things can always turn out the worst way possible.

His mind was still unclear. No matter how much confidence and faith he had in himself through going through it, this problem wasn’t going to change. Anyhow, he knew he wanted to see her the very next moment possible, and this had to happen now, no matter how unprepared he was going to be. Four days may have passed and his emotions were still unclear, but the inevitable still had to happen at some point and he knew it.

Asher still remembered how he, when sixteen and all alone on the way to Saint-John-Upon-Battersea, was foolish enough to forget about all the important nits-and-bits about preparation. That, of course, had led into a bit of questions to be answered when they had met again at the train station, which was resolved with an easy realisation by Mssr. De Ramaut who had noticed his blue handkerchief placed right beside her red scarf for whatever the reason.

Lucky bastard, over and over again. Asher chuckled as he turned around to look at the darkening hues of the Maytime sky. The air of the island, which gave the breath of life to millions of lives over the past six centuries, was cool and clear. This has been the case for nine decades since the factories had moved to the outskirts of the cities as a response to Urban Pollution Act of 1955, and the city hasn’t really looked back since then. The environmental projects, inspired by precedences coming from other international metropolises, were underway for a couple of decades and now the people were reaping the benefits off of it, including it himself.

At least the sky’s bright enough, to tell me that it’s the time.

Turning his head back to the very door of her place, Asher rang the bell twice, hoping that Eileen was still at her flat as promised. Having looked at the sky once, all seemed clear enough. His face was now all red and heavy from the thoughts he had, and the possible embarrassments he had contemplated long before. Still he smiled, feeling slightly nervous but finally at peace with the fact that he’s capable of starting everything again. He had always stayed devout to his faith, but still he wasn't sure on how to explain the supernatural, the unfairness, and all the mysteries of the life that he did not know how to answer. Now he did, and it gave him the peace.

A minute later, the door opened, and it was Eileen standing in front of him. That moment, all Asher had inside his mind were the roses and the robins, coming at him like the golden ray of Zeus, and filling him up with certainty to commit to mistakes. He was ready now. With the particular eagerness in his heart, Asher just let it all go, as he threw his arms up to slightly overwhelmed Eileen.

‘I love you, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.’ He said, as he looked into her eyes. 'Now, tomorrow, next week, forever. 'Tis I promise you, and forever, 'til I die.'

---

PART 8/8 - Open Your Heart

The commuter train came out of the long course of zig zags and curves into the Maytime forests. The earth lay fresh and vibing under the sweet smell of the winter. The train stopped at the small town station. Asher, who was watching the view from the narrow train doors on the one end of Car Two, opened the door and walked past the station’s only platform. The maytime mist poured in, covering his glasses with the remarkable coverage it held. Walking further and into the waiting hall of the old, brick station building, Asher felt no less stranger than how he was back in his familial seat of Bron-Yr-Aur.

Asher, in general, was fine with the idea of waiting at rural stations. They were usually not so packed, and had decent wifi for you to browse through wiki pages or watch live streams. Of course, that wasn't the problem this time. He, having forgotten to listen to Myeong-Shin's advice, accidentally arrived in Habpo Station too early and decided to take the first train, which was at 5:00 a.m., to Saint-John-Upon-Battersea. And while that had made his journey a lot easier, especially with the low number of hours of sleep he had all the way from Montreal to here, he had eventually realised that this was a terrible mistake. Not only did Asher forget to tell the exact hour of his arrival to Eileen, but he also had forgotten to come up with a valid explanation. Sure, he had texted her when the train had departed and there was a clear sense of confidence he held, likely from whatever the divine presence possible, that she had read the text.

Feelings hanging by that livewire, but with some folklore...

But still, Asher had not exactly figured out on how to explain the whole 'stranger from the southwest, however noble he may be, with no connection to the southwestern Acadie, visiting Coxwell Park'. However financially challenged or talked about the Lauzon house may have been, and how his parents looked down upon hers many moons ago, they were still one of the most historic baronies in Quebec. There would have to be a lot of explanation done.

Should’ve thought better, but hey, at least I managed to make this work. Yay, said Asher to himself, as he yawned twice.

It was then that he had finally noticed the calling. Just he had yawned the second time, something was tingling his ears. Then, as he raised his head around, he happened to see a girl with a mysterious piano, whose tunes greeted him from the other end of the waiting lounge with an inexplicable sense of warmth and movement to his bones. Asher rubbed his eyes a couple of times before walking towards the piano once again. The piano, which was as old as the time immemorial seemed to suggest, was meticulously aged and graced with folkloric blessings from all those who had voyaged past this city, and those who had lived here for three centuries. At the very front of it, sat Eileen. Her hair long and slightly disheveled, likely from little sleep or staying up all night, she kept her face moving frontwards and backwards and wore her red scarf over the light Afghan coat.

Ah…..was all he said, as he walked forward and sat next to her. Now he understood what the past had meant, and how the present promised at him.

Then they started playing for hours and hours....and that's how their story really took off.

[Neu Engollon]

Sixth Annual AVBF Sevens Tournament (2020 Edition)

---

CONFEDERACY PARK, BURGUNDEN
RUGBY EXHIBITION PITCHES

GROUP A
Darmen 40–0 Baker Park
Sajnur 7–29 Hutanjia
TJUN-ia 19–21 Northwest Kalactin

                         Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
1 Hutanjia                 2    2   0   0    60   14  +46     6
2 Northwest Kalactin       2    2   0   0    49   36  +13     6
3 Darmen                   2    1   1   0    59   19  +40     5
4 TJUN-ia                  2    0   1   1    38   40   −2     3
5 Sajnur                   2    0   0   2    24   57  −33     2
6 Baker Park               2    0   0   2     7   71  −64     2

GROUP B
HUElavia 19–17 Terre Septentrionale
Quebec 7–29 North Alezia
Elejamie 38–14 Neu Engollon

                           Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
1 Elejamie                   2    2   0   0    73   21  +52     6
2 Terre Septentrionale       2    1   0   1    46   34  +12     4
3 North Alezia               2    1   0   1    44   36   +8     4
4 Neu Engollon               2    1   0   1    40   52  −12     4
5 HUElavia                   2    1   0   1    26   52  −26     4
6 Quebec                     2    0   0   2    21   55  −34     2


GROUP C
Hannasean Federation 24–12 Boda
Ko-oren 7–31 Kriegiersien
Lisander 26–19 Copper Cuprum

                           Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
1 Kriegiersien               2    2   0   0    69    7  +62     6
2 Lisander                   2    2   0   0    52   31  +21     6
3 Copper Cuprum              2    1   0   1    54   31  +23     4
4 Hannasean Federation       2    1   0   1    36   38   −2     4
5 Boda                       2    0   0   2    12   62  −50     2
6 Ko-oren                    2    0   0   2    12   66  −54     2

GROUP D
Esportivan Darmen 7–35 The Jovannic
Natanians and Nosts 0–34 Abanhfleft
Nova Anglicana 12–28 Pratapgadh

                          Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                2    2   0   0    63    5  +58     6
2 Pratapgadh                2    2   0   0    54   22  +32     6
3 Nova Anglicana            2    1   0   1    47   33  +14     4
4 The Jovannic              2    1   0   1    40   36   +4     4
5 Natanians and Nosts       2    0   0   2    10   60  −50     2
6 Esportivan Darmen         2    0   0   2    12   70  −58     2

[Hannasea]

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Both Hannasea and Boda enter accompanied by the bitter aftertaste of defeat. Beyond that, Boda represent something of an unknown quality, which makes them dangerous as they’re hard to plan against. For the Hamsters, meanwhile, the main question concerns who should start on the wing: stick with the tried and true Harry Evans, who might miss the odd tackle but might induce same, or risk the rugby league star Ethan Price, a more solid all-round player but without Evans’s blazing pace?

Head: The worst possible start for the Hamsters, who quickly turned over the ball and found themselves on the back foot. Finn Wynter at least managed to force the Bodan prop who scored to stick to the corner, making the kick hard – and it duly sailed well wide – but conceding an immediate 5 point deficit to a team the Hamsters desperately needed a big win over really took all the fizz out of the start.

Body: A good run by Ryan Lincoln set up a passing move that ended up with a short burst from Sam Vinson; his placement ensured the kick should have been easy for Jay Parker but he duly shanked it wide to keep a concerning tie on the scoreboard. Worse yet, he knocked on midway through a promising attacking move on the next series; the Bodan winger snatched up the ball and sprinted clear for a try that really rattled the Hamsters’ cage. More than halfway into a game they’d come in perhaps arrogantly expecting to win and they were 12 – 5 down! That’s where Wynter stepped up, first with a clever cross-field kick to put over Evans; then with a big line break and quick offload to captain Seth Nielson. Parker’s kicking having recovered, the Hamsters had at last claimed a valuable one-score lead.

Tail: Vinson put the result beyond doubt with his second try, scoring inside the last minute after Sam Poole, on for Wynter, rocked the Bodan hooker with a great tackle that turned over the ball. Parker’s quick thinking put Vinson over in the corner and, although he sent the kick wide again, it was a nice way for the stand-off to end what had not been his finest game.

Aftertaste: A disappointing showing despite the three points. The Hamsters wanted a big victory to get back on favorable goal difference terms and instead had to go all-out for the full fifteen just to scrape a win. Their handling and passing was poor, with the exception of Wynter, and they didn’t have any really big runs, which slowed the tempo of their scoring.

Comparison: Another big win for Kriegiersien highlighted their danger, and with many teams now accruing double digit point differences, the Hamsters’ own -5 looks pretty lacklustre. They have one game left today and will need to try to overhaul their scoring disadvantage.

Rating

[TJUN-ia]

Lunch was quite splendid in Burgunden, but the Rugby must continue! We would be playing in our away kits for this match against 13th ranked Northwest Kalactin even though we were the "home" side. That was because both of the kits they brought to Neu Engollon were in TJUN-ian Blue and Orange, which would have made things very confusing, so we used...the kit that is in Kalactinian White and Blue. Strange.

Anyway, this game was fast and furious from the get-go and both sides would exchange tries from that start. Todd Bell's try and conversion were countered by Dan McCrawley and the legs of Jose Valbuena. Bell scored the conversion off of Bobby Washington's try only for Valbuena to score 7 points on his own. Todd Bell then scored the try and the conversion again and then Frederico Giabueno scored a try himself off the bench. But Valbuena missed the conversion and the Kalactinain defence held up to give TJUN-ia its first loss of the tournament.

Not the best way to go around things, but we have little time to contemplate what could have been. The final game of the day will be in the next few minutes. GO JAGS!

---

RESULTS
FRIDAY
M1: vs Darmen (5) - D 19-19 (T-3rd)
M2: vs Northwest Kalactin (13) - L 19-21 (4th)

[Kriegiersien]

Ko-oren 7–31 Kriegiersien

After losing against later bronze medal winner Ko-oren at the Olympics in the round of 16 with 29–17, this time the Kriegiersien Rugby 7 team was able to overcome the opponent clearly.
Thanks to Dulug Toothdrawer and Glob, brutish Orc ladies from the women’s Olympic team playing in the back, the Ko-oren team didn’t come far and most actions were stopped faster than a driver after 10 Green beer.



For the next games now rotating is announced.
“We are drinking scorpion beer now and after the next match Green Beer. So it is a fair variety”, explained the coach the tactic.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

OOC : Just in case you wonder, yes, this song does use the famous song 'The Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow' as the base.

Running Up That Hill

PART 0 (28) - Prologue - 思ひで

The twin cities of Saint John-Habpo lie proudly on the southwestern end of Acadie province, which holds four coves, two ports and a comfortable 58km distance from Quebecois-Semar borders. 'Tis the city that's traditionally known for its maritime heritage, draped by all the factories that lie in both cities, and also being working class in origin. This city's where the immigrants from Sealtainn Eireann who, in the post-conquest eras of 1700s, had immigrated to live alongside the indigenous peoples and the Anglophone-Quebecois whose portal closure had left them with little choice but to be ruled as His Majesty's subjects.

Such continued over the course of time, as the Quebecois Commonwealth expanded and Quebec City welcomed immigrants coming from them and few others- this had usually meant Schottians in this region- to add further intrigue into the industrialised cities. This was where the earliest movements of Quebecois labour activism and Marxism reigned and eventually moved westwards to Quebec City and Montreal. Nowadays, much of what existed of their labour class heritage and traditions continued into its sports teams, such as the legendary Saint John Steelers of QFL and tragic, tragic Saint John Green Sox of QBO, and the city kept going.

On the western, Habpo half of the twin cities, the Quincentennial Tower situates in the very edge of the Southwark Pier, as it delivers cinematographic views of the Muhak Bay and dozens of ferries that connects the city of 1.35 million to various towns on the other side of the Fundy, few Semar cities further south and southeast, and of course Halifax. The twin cities have many modern buildings, especially those around the Southwark Pier that were redeveloped back in 2010s and 2020s, and this was the most stunning one among them. 68 stories and 246m tall, the Quincentennial Tower held many companies' head offices on the first forty-four floors and a residence hotel right above that.

And that's where we head once again. Asher and Myeong-Shin were now well-aged, long over the growing pains and initial hurdles that their twenties had posed, and now all seemed fairly straightforward as they just broke their forties. Here, in Myeong-Shin's residence apartment at the sixty-third floor, all looked much more settled. It was there where the Hall of Famer, first year post-retirement, stayed while working as a hitting coach for the Imperial League dweller Saint John Green Sox. Given that his wife Naomi and their three children were still living back in Kingston, there weren't a lot of furniture in his suite. Guests were few and far between, as he preferred to meet fellow members of the coaching staff and the players outside, and he of course stayed faithful to his wife of fifteen years. Still, there were just enough amenities and furnitures for a guest, whether a friend or a high school/collegiate prospect staying over. They were usually housed in the guest room, where enough teas existed and wifi was decent enough for office work if needed.

Sitting on their foldable chairs, Heo Myeong-Shin and Asher Lundrigan sat in the living room to watch the midday view of the Fundy, and reflected back. The fact that they both lived in the southwestern Acadie had made their lives a lot easier to coordinate, and the fact that the Heo children were slightly older than the Lundrigan pair also helped it as well.

‘The life isn’t bad for you nowadays, my friend,’ said Asher, who was now quite aged at 40. The duties of being a parent to three sports-playing children, on top of having a professional career that still required travelling every once in a while, has taken quite a bit of age out of him. ‘After the past few years of gauging when’s the right time to just let it go, now you’re free and all that.’

‘The career isn’t over yet, as you have found out way before,’ Myeong-Shin chuckled, slightly feeling older after hearing that remark. Always being that son of late Maureen Turner and Heo Dong-Soo, he lived like a gregarious man he could have been. Of course, he stayed faithful to Naomi Goldbloom, his high school sweetheart, the previous twenty-five years, but their relationship was built on societal expectations and both sides of course easily accepted such. ‘Everybody has careers these days, as they had been doing so all twenty-first century long. You just don’t bank it all, resolutely retire in the countryside and not be seen much outside the region for decades.’

‘Certainly.’ Asher nodded, sipping a cup of coffee while looking at the view. Who would have thought he, a man of many sails and flights, would end up living in Saint-John-Upon-Battersea like his father-in-law did? He certainly wouldn’t have believed it- that’s not something that the sixteen year old himself had in mine, nor a twenty-three year old himself. But then, sometimes life would give you lemons and you have to work around it. That’s the difference between the two- it something Myeong-Shin didn’t have to do so much, but Asher had to do. Regardless, both sides were happy about how things went, and that’s what mattered the most.

‘Anyway, how’s the television series going?’ asked Myeong-Shin, giving his friend a wink over something that was likely discussed a while back. ‘The one on Archduke Franz and Archduchess Larissa? The one the Canon Studios expect to screen it?’

‘Oh, the Agrippa’s Sapphire?’ Asher responded, thinking back to the latest project he undertook. The life in the countryside had come with their downsides in that there would be less work he could undertake in his own right. ‘It’s going alright...I do not know how happy the Unified Republics’ Government are going to feel about it, nor the restorationists themselves. They may feel happy this is a historical epic, but enough political dynamites exist no matter where.’

‘Always,’ nodded Myeong-Shin. Being a history professor’s son, and a comparative literature student at Universite du Saguenay, had meant that he was especially aware of political landmines. His father, a longtime Court Historian who spent his last two decades working on the Anthologies of the Queen Christine II, reminded him that all too dearly. ‘But everything’s a risk. You’re of course familiar with the whole problem of how and whose take to talk about a historical event so grand and important to people’s lives to this point on. It’s not going to change. At least the Siovanijans and Teus are fine about it. We all know their own success stories. Southern Rushmori War will always be a bit more complicated alley to talk about.’
‘Amen to that,’ Asher stepped in, thinking of a better way to explain his situation. ‘Speaking of those, this reminds me of that time when Eileen and I travelled on the 100th Anniversary Train that time-’

Of course, before they were to turn any further, Asher’s golden handheld clock chimed, let out a rang and reminded the two to go to the lobby. Apparently there was an important parcel to handle, and it required all four hands to move upstairs. Anyhow, this is where we are going to return to the present-time, of May 2045...

[Nova Anglicana]

Nova Anglicana National Rugby Sevens Roster

Manager: Denís Ferrer

Starting VII
Prop: Matt Ford, 30
Prop: Erik Hansen, 26
Hooker: Brian Ward, 27
Scrum-half: Émile Landry, 32 (captain)
Center: Brock Bolden, 28
Fly-half: Dirk Niewmeijer, 30
Winger: Robbie McCracken, 28

Reserves
Forward: Mark Poole, 28
Forward: Mitch Morgan, 25
Forward: Peter Hudson, 27
Back: Hank Caldwell, 30
Back: Damon Gurley, 31
Back: Colin Foster, 24
Back: Jean Tremblay, 23

Kit:

Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: N
RP injuries to my players: Y, nothing serious
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y, only if you also give a red to one of your players
Godmod other events: N

[Ko-oren]

Ko-orenite Rugby Sevens Roster

As a bit of a 'novelty' code, the Union and League associations combined to put a team into the AVBF. The speed and power of rugby league stars combined with the strategy and tackling of rugby union stars, hopefully this team sets a precedent in the codes coming closer together.

No full-time coach specialised in the code was found, and Quebecois coach was flown in instead. They were given little time to prepare, and the wheeling and dealing to find an upgrade as a coach is ongoing even during the AVBF.

Coaching: Jean-Francois Kim, 43 (Quebec)

Starting VII
Prop: Neiran yGhearyc (23) - Mawrystwyth Phoenix (Union)
Prop: Wilmer Moore (24) - Maynard Andromeda (Union)
Hooker: Mayra Reejulga (23) - Idyllwild Coronae (Union)
Scrum-half: Arrin Kyes (25) - Eaglebury Aquila (Union)
Fly-half: Nimrod Whithingham (25) - Eaglebury Aquila (Union)
Centre: Nobutoki Sanada (24) - Alara Spiders (League)
Wing: Domingos Ocampo (23) - Linieux Harriers (League)

Reserves
Forward: Merrill Connor (23) - Willowbourne Foxes (Union)
Forward: Jurgasen Hilnasindhen (23) - Aubury Swans (Union)
Forward: Gemhaeg yDdwffrell (25) - Penstead Bears (Union)
Half: Delmar Habborlain (21) - Ansonville Comets (Union)
Back: Kaolu Vuluse (20) - Selesi Dragons (League)
Back: Ieviro Nakazono (24) - Etena Vipers (League)
Back: Go Bronsvoord (22) - Greencaster Godspeed (Gridiron)

Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: N
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y
Godmod other events: N, keep these guys alive, they will still be playing in their regular codes

[North Alezia]

RUGBY SPORTSNEWS! NORTH ALEZIA TEAM GOT A NEW MASCOT! LOCAL CAT BECOME A PHENOMENON!

North Alezians are sometimes best perceived as random... One time, a cat accidentally entered the North Alezian preselection for the Worldvision Song Contest (look up: Luna The Cat) and actually got THIRD!. Another time, a guy made a very long basketball mechanism. Another time also, a person got caught sliding off a road in a rainy day. This time, the North Alezian team got a random new mascot.

Ourraine, The Orange Cat, Mascot of The North Alezian Rugby Sevens Team

The team didn't even ask for a mascot! But one day in Zafizamarrah, one of the players (Alif Samir-Sa'id) found a stray cat outside the stadium where they usually have practice sessions. And obviously, North Alezians love cats so much. So Alif decided to bring the cat in since the cat is very hungry and looks ungroomed and malnourished. And since everyone is pretty fine with a cat roaming around the seating of the stadium and as long as no cat got hurt in practice,

Eventually, the entire team loves the cat (including Simon Tobias-Rallison who don't actually like cats so much due to a past trauma) and becomes their mascot right that moment. The rugby sevens team decided to hold a public contest for deciding the cats name and a girl named Irisha Loreneaux (15, San Antonio, ARAMNA) won the contest after writing simply "Ourraine", Aramnan for Orange.

When we got to an interview with her about why she chose the name, she simply said:

The cat is orange. So.... And Ourraine kinda sound very cute

Ourraine went to a lot of places, but not to Neu Enggolon, sadly. When asked about why they can't bring the cat to Neu Enggolon, the team's hooker (Sami Razak-Adam) said:

All of us wanted to bring Ourraine to Neu Enggolon. ALL OF US. But... We don't want to accidentally lost her in a foreign country, that we don't know. One time, Ourraine even went to BASNA! ALONE! We don't know how that happened. That's why we can't bring her to Neu Enggolon. Another reason is... We're kinda worried that drunk players or civilians alike might attempt to kidnap our mascot while all of us are playing. So instead, Ourraine would fill you all in a podcast with Samara Isran binti Harun (part of Samara and Izdar duo, go tsecond back in WV 83) called "Mascot and Worldvision"

Other than that, Ourraine has apparantly become a large meme in North Alezian internet. Some even advocated for the cat's entry to ALEZIMANIA (a singing competition usually used to pick the best representative for the country both in WV and WHF. we mentioned Worldvision a lot lately... And if you read from the top, a cat has actually competed there). Ourraine also got a lot of donations to give her a cat house specifically designed for a cat like her, and tonnes of cat food. TONNES of cat food.

Okay, before we close this newscast for the day, currently we have one win and one loss in Group B of the league. We have our last game later on and we obviously can't wait to spread the news to you as quick as you putting jelly on a bread.

How will our team go? Will we do well, or will we not do so good?
Don't miss our broadcast of AVBF RUGBY SEVENS only in ABA Channel 1, or press the red button on your ABA interactive set box, or you can watch it through ABA official website's live streaming!

Stay tuned for more SPORTSNEWS! to come!

ALEZIAN BROADCASTING AUTHORITY/ 2020

[Natanians and Nosts]

Coach: Mihai Gabriel da Silva
Psychologist: João Victor Fostar
Physical preparator: Públio Márcus Probo

#Name-Age-Position
3Ion Victor César-28-fullback
5Cáius Cláudius Numídio-26-centre
8Ion Carolus Mihailescu-24-flyhalf
7Lucas Lúcius North-27-scrumhalf
10Gabriel Mihai Ognek-23-hooker
9Logan Márcus Hûs-25-left prop
11Kaeso Nínnio dos Santos-20-right prop

Capitain's name is in blue

Bench:

#-Name-age-position
4-Bruno Iohannis da Silva-31-fullback/centre
13-João Rog dos Santos-21-centre
20-Astrogildo Hermenegildo Mačekvić-22-flyhalf/scrumhalf
21-Willelm Uêin Rúca-24-Hooker
23-Guillaume Numa Bijelo-27-prop/hooker

Should my opponent RPs first, he/she may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Yes
godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: No
godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes(only one per match)
godmod other events: No

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Rugby 7's tourney second chance for CRU
Mark Harrison
The Tribune Rugby Editor

One of the teams that made its debut in the Olympics in Istria was the first entry by the Commonwealth Rugby Union into multiverse competition, a team of veteran pros from the Monteith Shield trying their hand at the seven-a-side version of the code. The start was promising, a 24-14 win against Kelssek, but the lack of experience showed over the rest of the pool play, as tries were few and far between.

Following the dismal results in Banija, one might think the CRU would quietly close the chapter on 7's, but all parties involved expressed interest to use the lessons learned in another tournament, so the same squad that competed in the Olympics will join 23 other nations at the AVBF 7's, one of the major seven-a-side events on the international calendar.

The tournament hosted in Neu Engollon, in conjunction with the nation's famous Alpen View Brew Festival in the city of Burgunden, will see the Blues & Grays competing in Group A alongside world #1 Hutanjia; #5 Darmen, who defeated the BP side in Olympic pool play; AO nation Northwest Kalactin, plus Sajnur and TJUN-ia.

Middletown RFC hooker Steven Apolito, the 7's team captain, said the decision was an easy for himself & the others on the playing squad. "We were extremely proud to represent the Commonwealth in the Olympics, but we certainly didn't feel like we did anything to make the country proud of us. There was huge learning curve that we needed to get through."

CRU Chief Executive Tom Uhlman expanded on the thoughts of Apolito. "We considered the invitation from the OCC to participate to be a huge honor. The spirit of the Olympics is about competing, not just winning & losing. We've seen other sports in Baker Park that have entered into competition for the first time and have encountered the entire range of results, so while we were disappointed about the outcome, we couldn't fault the effort of the players and staff. This seems like a natural extension for us, building upon the experience gained in Istria. We have made the commitment to 7's as a route into the sport for youth, as well as being an avenue for clubs to develop players."

[Nova Anglicana]

Confederacy Park Exhibition Pitch D, Burgunden, Zurich, Neu Engollon

Robbie McCracken, winger for the Nova Anglicana 7s team, paced about nervously on the sidelines. He could barely focus on the next match between whichever two teams were supposed to play next. All he could think about was the Lions' recent 28-12 loss to unranked and unheralded Pratapgadh. Sure, it had been a while since the Lions had taken the 7s pitch internationally, and unknown teams were always unpredictable, but back in the day, they would have crushed a team like the Rajput 7s with ease. They'd defeated Esportivan Darmen, after all, a similarly unranked and unheralded team. Routed them, even. 35-5 isn't really a competitive score, and the attack had been so balanced and crisp. Émile [Landry], Brock [Bolden], and Dirk [Niewmeijer] had all scored, and then even Matt [Ford], the big prop, and that new back, Jean [Tremblay] had scored a try. Dirk had made all five conversions like it was nothing. Robbie hadn't exactly been a superstar in that game, but he'd made some fine tackles and been a part of more than one attack that ended in a try. The Darmeni Esportivans hadn't put up too much of a fight and it had felt like the old days.

But Pratapgadh was different. They were the crisp and efficient ones, and the Lions the ones tripping over their own feet. He'd missed a tackle that let the Pratapgadh centre, Aryaman Vesuwala, slip by him and score a try that put them up 7-0 after the conversion. The second try the Rajput 7s got, they just typewritered it down the line and their winger got the edge and was off to the races; 14-0, Pratapgadh. They even punted one over everyone's heads and their speed demon of a winger had gotten on Robbie basically as soon as he fielded the ball, tackled him, and dislodged it, allowing another player to scoop and score, making it 21-0 right before halftime. Robbie'd been pulled after that. [Denis] Ferrer had told him he'd still play the next one, but that he didn't have it right now. The boys fought back in the second half, with Dirk and Brock pulling off a nice dummy play that sprung Dirk for the easy score, 21-7. Robbie's replacement, Colin Foster, had been on the receiving end of a pass from Dirk and had just been able to get over the try line near the corner to make it 21-12, and it looked like they might have some momentum. But Dirk missed the difficult conversion and they couldn't get anything going on the next possession. Brock got the ball jackaled from him and Pratapgadh sealed the game with a try and a conversion. 28-12 was the final and it wasn't even really that close.

Robbie scuffed the pitch with his cleat and inhaled sharply. He didn't know or care who they played next. They had to win, and he had to redeem himself. It really was too bad that Ferrer kept them on the pitch; he could really use a brew or two to settle down.

[Abanhfleft]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independent sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

---

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Rugby Rundown (Sevens Edition!)
with Graham O'Doherty

ALPEN VIEW BREW FESTIVAL RUGBY SEVENS VI TOURNAMENT: GAMES ONE AND TWO
Hello guys, and welcome back to another edition of The Rugby Rundown Sevens Edition with me, your gay Irishman Graham O'Doherty. As you can see, we're starting off this recap of the Alpen View Brew Festival Rugby Sevens on the second game because, well, rugby sevens is really just that quick of a sport. The whole sport revolves around the number seven. Two teams of seven players each playing against each other in two halves of seven minutes each results in a game which is essentially over within thirty minutes. I told you, rugby sevens was quick.

And I'm not kidding when I said it was quick. Feels like I've barely just gathered my thoughts about the game against The Jovannic before the second game was already underway! Probably doesn't help that I'm in the middle of a festival celebrating all the different brews of beer there is, but what else can I do given the situation? Well, enough talk. Let's go over these results before the night games kick off.

One word describes both of these results, and that word is domination. I'm not kidding. I honestly can't remember the last time that Abanhfleft has ever won its first two games on the trot, especially not in such a confident and dominant manner. It's like I'm watching a completely different team! At times I felt like I was watching Neu Engollon or Hutanjia or Darmen, not Abanhfleft! I don't know how, what, or why, just that for once, Abanhfleft have decided that they wanted to play well and they actually carried out that decision. Makes for a nice change of scenery from all the other sports I've been watching recently (I'm looking at you, WC 86 qualifiers).

Man, these lads just mean business, don't they? They saw an opportunity to score, they took it. Didn't matter if it was a try or a penalty; once they put their mind to it, the other team might as well just get out of the way. That's the effect that they had against our boys anyway. And throughout this whole run, how much have we conceded? Just one try. Just one try, and The Jovannic couldn't convert on top of it at that! Christ above, why couldn't all Abanhfleft teams play like this all the time? Surely there has to be a point where putting in all the effort eventually pays off? If the rugby sevens boys can do it, why not the lads and lasses of all of our other national teams? XOXO from Graham....

Abanhfleft (29)
Try: Partridge 3' c
Votaw 10' c
Con: al-Thabsi (2/2)
Pen: al-Thabsi (2/2)
Rakitic (3/3)

The Jovannic (5)
Try: 6'
Con: (0/1)

---

Natanians and Nosts (0)

Abanhfleft (34)
Try: Partridge 2' c
Reid 4' c
Zilner 9' c
Greathouse 12' c
Con: al-Thabsi (4/4)
Pen: al-Thabsi (2/2)

[Neu Engollon]

Bleachers on the Rugby Pitches
Post 2nd Group Matches in the Afternoon
Confederacy Park
Burgunden, Zurich, Neu Engollon

While the lines of spectators around the pitches were four and sometimes five rows deep, and the bleachers were packed in every other part of the park around the pitches, there was an odd hole, as if an incendiary device had gone off, or a very mini tornado had touched down for just a fraction of a second and bounced back into the strata of clouds above.

Upon closer inspection, one would realize that a form...maybe a man...maybe resembling human or simian form, certainly someone not in the fashion of any recent times - sat directly in the center of this shocking lack of human crush, making it not quite a total void of organic matter. It grumbled and chortled to itself, and occasionally shouted outward unintelligibly to many, obscenely to others, amusing to a few. If the stream of words on the air were to take a color, it would definitely be bluish tinted, but maybe an angry roiling purple for the most part.

If the odors emanating were also to form a color, they might be more of a rust swirled with angry reds and orange. The man...it was at base, a man...was quite odiferous and not in a good way.

To the international set, some who had come for their very first Alpen View Brew Festival experience, it was for most a startling mystery as to what this creature was. For those in the country, many in the region, and even a few international tourists who frequented the AVBF and other Burgunden Breuerie sponsored events, this hulk in fur, chain mail, and ornate chest plate with alehorns slung off it in different directions was a legend. There had been a movie made about it...him...and his antics. He was foul mouthed to be sure, and rarely polite, and his antics and actions bordered on negligently homicidal at times.

David Toft loathed him and did everything he could in his power to get rid of him when he had the time to focus his energy on him. Toft especially detested that he had free reign to come and go as he pleased on the Festival grounds. He had in previous years misdirected him, hidden time devices from him, hired street urchins to maim him, and even locked him up in the Breuerie cellars and other dank places, but somehow...Hoppy Jensen always made his way to the Festival grounds every year.

It was locked into his contract that he could not be terminated, physically or professionally, by the Toft family, solidified by David’s grandfather, Jan’s father, Georg. Hoppy Jensen was a Master Brewer on a level that few in the world could imagine. He was a master of recipes and was able to perfect batches without the aid of science or machines.

While he should be creating new recipes, he was often off on escapades that few could guess. There had been few new brews in recent years, but plenty of standards cranked out to keep the masses happy. Some he personally supervised, but with the volume that Terembev churned out he could not be there for every batch produced in every BB facility at all different hours. Hoppy Jensen was still only mortal, after all..

That didn’t stop him at the moment from provoking the dozens to hundreds within earshot of him to want to test those mortal bounds. He was heckling the Neu Engollian Goats, the national sevens team that was currently walking off one of the pitches after their rough defeat to Elejamie.
“Ya all ‘ur disgustin’ fart sniffin’ panty pullin’ pufter feniwogs! Ya canna even skip a rope, let alone friggin’ flip a pass ‘n touch down a rock. How didj’er git yer jobs anyway? Somethin’ ta shame yer mas? Ya sorry flagruttin’....”

It went on like that for a while.

It was not what the Goats needed at that moment, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected, however that it was coming mainly from one very centralized and crazed voice was a bit brutal. They had one more match for the day, then they could drown their sorrows, and hope against hope that their last couple matches on Saturday could save them from being relegated to the Plate or Bowl competitions. They did their best to not look Hoppy in the eye as they passed.

[Neu Engollon]

Sixth Annual AVBF Sevens Tournament (2020 Edition)

---

CONFEDERACY PARK, BURGUNDEN
RUGBY EXHIBITION PITCHES

GROUP A
Northwest Kalactin 5–31 Darmen
Hutanjia 29–7 TJUN-ia
Baker Park 40–14 Sajnur

 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Hutanjia                3    3   0   0    89   21  +68     9
2 Darmen                  3    2   1   0    90   24  +66     7
3 Northwest Kalactin      3    2   0   1    54   67  −13     6
4 Baker Park              3    1   0   2    47   85  −38     3
5 TJUN-ia                 3    0   1   2    45   69  −24     1
6 Sajnur                  3    0   0   3    38   97  −59     0

GROUP B
Neu Engollon 36–0 HUElavia
North Alezia 10–26 Elejamie
Terre Septentrionale 21–19 Quebec

 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Elejamie                3    3   0   0    99   31  +68     9
2 Neu Engollon            3    2   0   1    76   52  +24     6
3 Terre Septentrionale    3    2   0   1    67   53  +14     6
4 North Alezia            3    1   0   2    54   62   −8     3
5 HUElavia                3    1   0   2    26   88  −62     3
6 Quebec                  3    0   0   3    40   76  −36     0

GROUP C
Copper Cuprum 26–14 Hannasean Federation
Kriegiersien 5–31 Lisander
Boda 7–33 Ko-oren

 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Lisander                3    3   0   0    83   36  +47     9
2 Kriegiersien            3    2   0   1    74   38  +36     6
3 Copper Cuprum           3    2   0   1    80   45  +35     6
4 Hannasean Federation    3    1   0   2    50   64  −14     3
5 Ko-oren                 3    1   0   2    45   73  −28     3
6 Boda                    3    0   0   3    19   95  −76     0

GROUP D
Pratapgadh 38–7 Esportivan Darmen
Abanhfleft 25–5 Nova Anglicana
The Jovannic 7–45 Natanians and Nosts

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Abanhfleft              3    3   0   0    88   10  +78     9
2 Pratapgadh              3    3   0   0    92   29  +63     9
3 Natanians and Nosts     3    1   0   2    55   67  −12     3
4 Nova Anglicana          3    1   0   2    52   58   −6     3
5 The Jovannic            3    1   0   2    47   81  −34     3
6 Esportivan Darmen       3    0   0   3    19  108  −89     0

[Kriegiersien]

Just before the AVBF 6 started a horde of people approached the Kriegiersien president.

The Issue
Rugby - a sport that is extremely popular in Kriegiersien - is causing a slew of concussions in Kriegiersien schools. Brain trauma from the head-on collisions is causing cognitive problems and - on occasion - deaths.

The Debate
“You have to stop this madness!” yells Ruby Doe, the mother of a Scrum-half for Schoenwetter Military School. “My son has received so many concussions that he is missing the targets all the time. To hell with tradition, our children’s fragile brains are more important!”

Accept

“Come on, Timey. You’re not actually thinking about this, are you?” says Selma Lennon, PR rep and captain from the Schoenwetter Wyverns, a professional Rugby team. “I know it’s tough, but without Rugby in the schools, who will be the great pro athletes of the future? Need I mention that Rugby is a storied part of Kriegiersien culture dating back …. a long time I guess? Can’t remember anymore. You wouldn’t want to mess that up, would you?”

Accept

“It’s not just Rugby,” mentions Aphrodite Schmo, a techie joining the conversation via Trype. “Think about Waterkillerball. Concussions happen there all the time. It’s just not in the news anywhere as often, because of the many deaths. And then there’s Quidditch. They wipe each other out all of the time. Us video gamers have fun without ever knocking our skulls together. I propose we ban all physical sports. It’s only the safest op-” she says before the screen turns off with a security guard twirling the plug.

Accept

“And all the alcohol”, sighs your health minister. “Half of the leagues are sponsored by breweries and beer conglomerates. And now they are playing at this breweries contest in Neu Engollon. We have to pull back from these competition before the rest of our nations brain cells are gone.”

Accept

“Or you could go to the Alpen View Brew Festival yourself. Drink some beer, meet some celebrities, talk with some other Politicians, have fun and maybe support my brewery?”, whispers the spouse of a nephew, who has a high position in the Green Beer Inc.

Accept




So in the next second the president jetted to Burgunden, talked and partied with other politicans and celebs, bought some drinks for others (even though Following new legislation in Kriegiersien, it's best to decline if Timey offers to buy a round of drinks) and comforted the team after the smashing loss against Lisander, meaning that he gave useless lessons how to win.

[Elejamie]

It had been a fun day for the Elejamian sevens team. That morning, they demolished HUElavia 35-7, with Paul Koppel scoring three of their five tries and Gary Toda successfully converting every single attempt. He would even score a try of his own when he took advantage of a poorly-timed pass before running the ball onto the ground in between the posts. The sole HUElavian try came early in the second half where the normally strong defence had dropped the ball (figuratively) and left one of their sides weak, which their opposition took advantage of. While it wasn't grounded in a good position, they were still able to make it 7. It wasn't enough to worry the stronger Elejamian side as, not only were they still 14 points ahead, but also Koppel would complete his hat-trick and Adam McCracken would get his name onto the scoring sheet by grounding the ball past the line as he was tackled to round off the second half and get their tournament off to a good start.

Neu Engollon, the hosts, came next. They were a formidable side and were considered a rival to Elejamie, although there hasn't been any confirmation from either governing body on whether or not this was the case. Indeed, the Goats showed why they were a side to watch when scrum-half Felix Marten scored the first 33 seconds in, with his try being converted easily by Giannaro Carovolo. Carovolo would score a try of his own shortly afterwards, which he easily converted to give his side a 14-0 lead after only three minutes. Unfortunately for Neu Engollon, those would be the only sets of points they'd score. David Kramer scored a brace for Elejamie in the closing minutes, including one just past the seven minute mark, and Gary Toda would convert to make the scores level at half-time.

Then the Goats, who are usually considered among the GOATs, completely collapsed. Adam Gates scored a try for Elejamie to give them a lead, with Toda working his magic to add another set of two. He'd get a chance for a penalty but it just hit the post and into touch. He would make up for it with a try, conversion and a successful penalty in the next couple of minutes to put this game out of reach for the hosts. The closest Neu Engollon came to scoring a try was when Elejamie managed to get a ruck going just on the line and captain Diego Molina managed to grab the ball to start a counter-attack. Patrick Hayden scored try number five towards the end, Toda got conversion number five to seal the deal and Elejamie were 38-14 winners.

Finally, they played North Alezia, a country they knew from the WorldVision Song Contest and a team with an adorable cat mascot who sadly couldn't make it over. Unlike the routings they gave to HUElavia and Neu Engollon, this was more a low-key affair. Elejamie won quite handily, 26-10, but it was a lot closer than it seemed. The first set of points came four minutes in with a penalty from Toda. Then another penalty from him. A third penalty followed but this time from Yamtaqdaba, the North Alezian fly-half. Toda scored a drop goal to end the first half 9-3. The first try wouldn't be scored until Alezian winger Gerald Sands got lucky enough to ground the ball early in the second half and his fly-half easily worked his magic to give his side the narrowest of leads against the mighty opposition.

But Elejamie refused to be beaten. Toda had a fourth penalty attempt but he fluffed his kick, meaning it sailed wide. Then David Kramer swooped in and saved the day by grounding the ball by leaping over Tobias-Rallison, restoring Elejamie's lead. Toda managed to make up with his disastrous penalty attempt with a masterful conversion followed by a difficult penalty that he made look easy. McCracken scored the second try later on and, past the fourteen minute mark, Toda added another set of two to seal the deal. Coach Aaron Kim may have felt like the referee was too whistle-happy, he was still happy with the set of three points he and his men got from this match. And he thought North Alezia played well and should hold their heads up high.

The table at the end of the first day? Unsurprisingly, Elejamie were undefeated group leaders with three wins out of three and 9 points in total. In fact, they've nearly scored 100 in one day! Neu Engollon got out of their slump and sit in second, just ahead of Terre Septentrionale on point difference; +24 compared to +14. Newcomers North Alezia sit in fourth with only one win to their name but expect a massive push from them on day two. HUElavia's defence may be in tatters but they're lucky enough to avoid last. Quebec bring up the rear with no wins as of yer.

Who's left for them to try and conquer? Quebec, an old ice hockey rival before the Icy Elephants infamously left the World Cup of Hockey due to match-fixing going on in the 38th edition and a sevens team they probably played in the past. And Terre Septentrionale, a nation that frequently does well in any sport and deserves a trophy if they haven't lifted one yet. Friends will be made, tries will be scored and days will be enjoyed. It may have been the first sevens tourney of the calender but it didn't mean they couldn't have a good time.

But the team weren't worried about the other matches. The players were out and about, enjoying the festival, signing autographs and taking selfies and other photos with fans, whether it be for their team or any of the other teams at the tournament. Vice-Coach Kevin Gabriel was busy sorting out plans to bring an international sevens tourney over to Elejamie at some point in the next few years. Coach Kim was working on game plans for the next day, as well as plans for in-between time. And Dave Carrey, regular union and union-related columnist for rugby news site Drop Goal was not only reporting on the festival but also trying to interview some players as well.

Tomorrow would be crunch matches for everyone involved. It would determine who'd be playing for the Bowl, the Plate or the Maracalo Cup, the main trophy of the tournament. Everyone had to be on their game and try not to let the festivities get to them. Extra training was brought in for some teams. And then, when everyone was ready, they kitted up and made their way onto their respective pitches. It was game time and everyone was eager to snatch the three. Will they? Only one way to find out.

[Abanhfleft]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independent sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

---

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

The Rugby Rundown (Sevens Edition!)
with Graham O'Doherty

ALPEN VIEW BREW FESTIVAL RUGBY SEVENS VI TOURNAMENT: GAME THREE
What did I tell you, guys? Rugby sevens is an absolutely blistering quick game. Three whole games in one day. Tell me another sport that does things this quickly. Hello guys, and welcome back to another edition of The Rugby Rundown Sevens Edition with me, your gay Irishman Graham O'Doherty. I'll probably make this one short and sweet, just like the game itself. It's always nice to see a team that builds up momentum in the early stages of a game actually make something out of that momentum, namely winning a third game on the trot, and barely breaking a sweat while they're at it.

On the one hand, it's always good to win, especially against a storied opponent and rugby power like Nova Anglicana. On the other hand, it is kind of sad to see such a great team and rugby-loving nation fall on "hard times". Note the air quotes because I'm not really sure what counts as a hard time for Nova Anglicana. It may be this or it may be something else entirely. For sure they're not performing at the level expected of them though. Of that I am reasonably sure. Not gonna lie though, watching Marouane Mahout blowing past Erik Hansen like the latter wasn't even there brought a chuckle out of me. And I wouldn't necessarily say that Nova Anglicana were outgunned and outclassed this time around; more like Abanhfleft just had a more cohesive team and a more cohesive game plan.

Still, what a sight to behold. Abanhfleft, 3-0-0. That's something for me to take with me when I go to sleep here in Neu Engollon. Our next two games are against Pratapgadh and Esportivan Darmen. We know that Pratapgadh is always game for a good game of rugby (along with other sports), and they are sure to give our boys as good as they've got. Esportivan Darmen is a bit of a mystery for me though; I really can't tell if they're a constituent part of Darmen itself or if they're some kind of autonomous territory, kind of like the Fhulghamous Peninsula but also not quite. Anyway, that's all the beer I've consumed talking. Fancy that, an Irishman drinking beer in a beer festival. Is there no end to my own debauchery? XOXO from Graham....

Abanhfleft (25)
Try: Mahout 2' c
Partridge 5' m
Moran 11' c
Con: al-Thabsi (1/2)
Rakitic (1/1)
Pen: al-Thabsi 9'
Rakitic 13'

Nova Anglicana (5)
Try: Niewmeijer 4' m
Con: Niewmeijer (0/1)

[Hannasea]

Tasting Notes

Appearance: The copper hue is familiar to the Hamsters, or at least to Ethan Price, who travelled to Copper Cuprum to compete in the Rugby League World Cup. As such, the Guild Federation enter this game as outsiders up against another established NSRB nation. With their fearsome rubber chicken dance and distinctive striped kit the Copperites make for an intimidating sight (albeit less so than had their original sartorial plans born fruit). They’re coming off a defeat whereas the Hamsters won their afternoon game, but the Copperites bear the stronger record so far.

Head: The Hamsters continued their burgeoning tradition of terrible starts to matches. Finn Wynter’s messy pass to Sam Vinson was intercepted by Banunu Honele, Homeka Omego the eventual beneficiary as he touched down for a score within 90 seconds. It was a tight kick but Honele nailed it. He added a second himself – the kick this time awry – as he cleverly chipped an infuriated Jay Parker, collected the ball and sprinted in, outpacing the big Hamsters stand-off in a race to the corner. Barely three minutes had elapsed and the Hamsters were staring at a 12-zip deficit.

Body: Things evened up thereafter, thanks to some good play from Harry Evans. He was responsible for the first try, putting to rights what has thus far been a rocky tournament for the Olympic star. A mazy run on the wing split the Copperite defense and his pace was too much for Polema to keep up with him, leaving the Copperite back with a handful of air. Mabuda Oweda then put in a big hit on Joe Fox that led to turnover ball, Honele yet again pouncing on the loose ball and flipping a clever pass to Satusa Heyedy, who found Irakta Kasugna with space to run. Honele’s kick matched Parker’s to restore a 12 point lead. Parker snatched back a try with an awesome storming run to shrug off a loose Heyedy tackle and drag Kasugna to the line with him. While his lack of pace has been a bit on show this tournament, the stand-off’s strength has been an asset and he put on a real display. A good kick, too, from a tough angle pulled the lead to 5: the Hamsters could still win, with a couple of minutes on the clock!

Tail: It wasn’t to be. Polema hit a clever kick that Vinson bobbled straight into the arms of Oweda; the prop rumbled on before unleashing Kasugna for his second, and decisive, score. Honele’s kick was virtually the final play of the game as time ran out, leaving the Hamsters staring into the dark of night on a day of defeat.

Aftertaste: Bitter. The Copperites had much superior ball handling skills to the Hamsters, whose raw game showed some flashes of speed and power, but didn’t have the discipline to maintain enough possession. Wynter’s wayward passing is a bit of a concern as he was specifically brought in as an upgrade on Poole there, and while Parker and Evans had their best games in the evening, neither was able to magic up a win.

Comparison: The first day of international rugby sevens for the Guild Federation saw two losses and a negative two-try differential. Knocking off the second seeds was key to the Hamsters getting into the top two of the group; that now seems impossible and they’ll have to make the Bowl. They still have the formidable Kriegiersien to play, and Ko-oren smashed Boda, so there are no easy games left.

Rating

[TJUN-ia]

Yeah...that wasn't the best end to Friday's proceedings. The Spiders of Hutanjia, No.1 in the NSRB, absolutely wiped the floor with the Jaguars in the final match of Friday's action in Burgunden, Neu Engollon.

Brutas Excillius didn't expect much from this fixture and Jose Valbuena did get 7 points for his side, the Spiders were just too much to handle. 2 tries from Monterrey Apegku, 2 from Jean-Luc Tarepka, 3 out of 4 conversions from Vladimir Sokota and a drop goal from Francis Yosepgka. That was all she wrote.

Brutas' Jaguars must sleep now having been brutalised out of Cup contention. The Plate must be the new target now, the Bowl might be seen as disappointing. With both unranked sides, the Commonwealth of Baker Park and Sajnur, still yet to play us, let's just see how we do and what position we will be in by tomorrow afternoon. GO JAGS!

---

RESULTS
FRIDAY
M1: vs Darmen (5) - D 19-19 (T-3rd)
M2: vs Northwest Kalactin (13) - L 19-21 (4th)
M3: vs Hutanjia (1) - L 7-29 (5th)

[Nova Anglicana]

On one side of the Lion Brewing Company booth, a large display was posted.

Lion Brewing Company

Beverages

1 FREE 3 oz. sample per person, larger sizes for purchase (all prices NSD): 1/2 Pints (8 oz) $3, 12 oz. $4.50, Pints (16 oz) $6, 32 oz. Growler $10 + $3 deposit, 64 oz. Growler $16 + $3 deposit, Growler Refill $6/9

IPAs/ESBs: Corner Pub ESB, 5% - Lion goes back to Nova Anglicana's English roots with this Extra Strong Bitter that delicately balances hops and malts; served a little warmer than normal for that real English pub experience

Grizzled IPA, 7.0% - Orange in color, this crisp beer has a citrusy taste up front, but that gradually fades to allow pine and floral aromas to come to the fore.

Her Majesty's Most Imperial IPA, 8.2% - for real hop lovers, the Imperial IPA is a stronger version of a regular IPA that doubles down on the hoppiness to produce a bitter (but not too bitter) beer with strong notes of grapefruit, paying homage to the Queen

Pale Ales: Hunter's Pale Ale, 5.9% - Dark gold and full-bodied, with a hoppy nose and assertive-but-balanced flavors of pale malts and citrusy floral hops from start to finish.

Alpha Male Strong Golden Ale, 8.5% - combines pilsner malts and spicy hops to produce a golden-colored, drinkable ale with a complex mouthfeel.

Ambers/Reds/Ryes: Autumn Amber Ale, 4.6% - Crisp and malty, with subdued hops flavor, perfect for an autumn afternoon

Elder Statesman Rye, 6.3% - this beer is a nod to former Prime Minister Allen Mumford, who was fond of rye beers. Some might call it a bit strong, while others will say the sour rye is just how a beer ought to taste.

Belgians/Farm Ales/Saisons: Mayflower Saison, 6.5% - As you drink, you should detect just a hint of mayflower aroma, Erickson and Co. are proud of that little feat of beer engineering, tastes of spice and slightly bitter and earthy

Notre Maison Biere de Garde, 4.8% - known as "beer to keep or store", you'll want to hold on to this one, an amber to red coloration with a malt-forward taste and notes of toffee, but with subtle hoppiness sure to please the malt or hop-loving beer enthusiast

Fruit/Shandys/Lambics: High Ridge Framboise Lambic, 4.1% - A fruity lambic beer made with raspberries picked directly from Nova Scotia, High Ridge balances the sweetness of a lambic with the tartness of raspberries for an excellent drinking experience

Sunrise Grapefruit Beer, 5.2% - Deliciously pink and tart but not too tart, this fruit beer is refreshing enough to drink anytime

Pilsners/lights/kolsch: Löwe Kolsch, 4.5% - Lion's take on this interesting style from Köln, Löwe is extra gold, extra cold, and perfect for a warm summer's day. Slightly fruity and slightly dry.

Stouts: Lion Stout, 8.8% - The dark caramel, large dense headed brew, with its 8.8% alcoholic content, is unique due to its sweet notes of chocolate and coffee interspersed into a foundation of dark roasted barley

Porters/Scotchs/Browns: High Tide Scotch Ale, 8.0% - named for the tides in Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy, High Tide packs a wallop at 8% ABV. Sweet enough, but not as much as the stout or the fruit beers. Caramel and malt are the stars here.

Panther Black Ale, 6.7% - this innovative North American beer style combines hops and malts for a unique flavor that mixes caramel and chocolate with notes of citrus and a hint of floral, it represents Lion's search for ever-newer styles

Wheat/Weisse: Harvest White Ale, 5.1% - Made from local wheat and spices, Lion's interpretation of a Belgian witbier is more complex than Lion Lager, but just as drinkable, with fruit undertones.

Lagers: Lion Lager, 4.8% - Golden roasted malt in colour with a hint of fruit and caramel flavouring, it is very slightly sweet with less hop notes, good for thirsty workers at the end of a long day, the flagship beer of the brewery

Octoberfest Märzen, 5.5% - A dark, coppery beer with a full-bodied taste and hints of hops, always served in the traditional Octoberfest Maßkrug

Windfall Cyser, 12.5% -Windfall combines delicious Nova Anglican apples with Newfoundland honey for a twist on a traditional hard cider. Sweet but spicy, with floral notes, honey, and apple throughout, it works very well on its own or paired with hearty, savory fare to balance the sweetness.

Cyser Prices: 6 oz $6, 12 oz bottles $11

Good Old Hooch, 25% - Good Old Hooch is Liqueur de la Mures de la Marais in French, or chicoutai in First Nations parlance, a sweet liqueur made from cloudberries, a type of wild raspberry.

Chicoutai Prices: $3 shots, Clover Leaf cocktails $7, fifth $25, liter $35

Food (Provided by Bacalao of Londinium)

Note: Samples of everything are available

House-recipe chips plate - $4

Jiggs' Dinner rolls - Traditional Newfoundland dish of corned beef and cabbage wrapped up in a soft bread roll with a mustard pickle on the side, $4 individual, 3 for $10

Cod tongues - A Newfoundland delicacy seasoned, floured and flash deep-fried, they are crispy, tender and light, $8

Charcuterie plate - A delicious offering of smoked game meats and cheeses that comes in several varieties. Mix and match 3 of duck terrine, moose sausage, smoked partridge or pheasant breast, elk or venison jerky, and pork liver paté. Pick two cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Havarti, Gouda, Jarlsberg, Gruyére, Cheddar, Monterey Jack) Served with house-made sweet and hot brown mustard, $20

Bacalao with braised pork belly - Olive-oil poached, house-cured/salted Fogo cod with house-smoked crispy braised local pork belly and coffee-mango BBQ sauce, $18

Kerry Erickson, head of Lion Brewing, was doing an interview with Nova Anglican media at the Alpen View Brew Festival.

Q: I understand that you've been to the last several Festivals here in Neu Engollon. How long has Lion been competing here?

A: This is our fifth AVBF, and we're always happy to come. I almost feel like the boys over at Burgunden are family now.

Q: And how much success have you found here at the AVBF? How's the competition?

A: Well, of course the competition is stiff. The AVBF is famed for its prizes and brewers from around the multiverse come here to compete. But as far as success, we've done all right. We've won a number of awards and been consistently one of the top breweries overall here. I consider it an honor to win at a prestigious competition like this.

Q: Tell us about some of the beers you're serving here. What will people recognize from back home?

A: Our flagship, Lion Lager, is loved in Nova Anglicana and abroad. It's won several awards here, and of course our Lion Stout is one everyone will recognize. But we've also got our Hunter's Pale Ale, Autumn Amber, and Harvest White, which are among our best sellers back home. They'v had success in the past, and we're confident we'll see them do well here again.

Q: One thing you're known for at Lion is your ever-expanding selection. What new offerings are on tap here? What could win a prize?

A: We always think any of our beers can win. We put our heart and soul into them and try our best. But as for what's new, let's start with Her Majesty's Most Imperial IPA. IPAs are all the rage now, and people like hoppier and hoppier beers, so we knuckled under to market pressure and came up with this one. This is like if you took our Grizzled IPA and turned the hoppiness up to 11. Very hoppy, so not for everyone, but the flavor is excellent and this is sure to hit the spot for those hop lovers.

Q: Anything else new?

A: We also have a new French-style beer, our Notre Maison Biere de Garde. This style comes from Northern France and is really for malt lovers. It pours really nicely, just a bit of head at the top and an excellent amber-red coloration. Take a sip and you'll notice the toffee flavor, but it's really smooth and isn't totally devoid of hoppy flavor either, so we think there's something for everyone to enjoy. And finally, our Panther Black Ale. This is a marriage of hops and malts that combines the dark coloration of a porter or stout without being too heavy or overwhelming; it's still got that classic ale taste. It combines chocolate, caramel, and fruit flavors for an exquisite mouthfeel.

Q: Have you gotten a chance to see any of the rugby? What do you think of our 7s team?

A: They've taken their lumps, for sure. But I believe in them. They'll bounce back and make us proud yet.

Q: Kerry, thank you for your time.

A: Always a pleasure.

[Neu Engollon]

Sixth Annual AVBF Sevens Tournament (2020 Edition)

---

CONFEDERACY PARK, BURGUNDEN
RUGBY EXHIBITION PITCHES

GROUP A
Darmen 26–10 Sajnur
TJUN-ia 17–19 Baker Park
Northwest Kalactin 7–31 Hutanjia

 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Hutanjia                4    4   0   0   120   28  +92    12
2 Darmen                  4    3   1   0   116   34  +82    10
3 Baker Park              4    2   0   2    66  102  −36     6
4 Northwest Kalactin      4    2   0   2    61   98  −37     6
5 TJUN-ia                 4    0   1   3    62   88  −26     1
6 Sajnur                  4    0   0   4    48  123  −75     0

GROUP B
HUElavia 10–24 Quebec
Elejamie 29–5 Terre Septentrionale
Neu Engollon 29–5 North Alezia

 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Elejamie                4    4   0   0   128   36  +92    12
2 Neu Engollon            4    3   0   1   105   57  +48     9
3 Terre Septentrionale    4    2   0   2    72   82  −10     6
4 North Alezia            4    1   0   3    59   91  −32     3
5 Quebec                  4    1   0   3    64   86  −22     3
6 HUElavia                4    1   0   3    36  112  −76     3

GROUP C
Hannasean Federation 33–12 Ko-oren
Lisander 29–5 Boda
Copper Cuprum 26–12 Kriegiersien

 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Lisander                4    4   0   0   112   41  +71    12
2 Copper Cuprum           4    3   0   1   106   57  +49     9
3 Kriegiersien            4    2   0   2    86   64  +22     6
4 Hannasean Federation    4    2   0   2    83   76   +7     6
5 Ko-oren                 4    1   0   3    57  106  −49     3
6 Boda                    4    0   0   4    24  124 −100     0

GROUP D
Esportivan Darmen 21–19 Natanians and Nosts
Nova Anglicana 22–14 The Jovannic
Pratapgadh 14–26 Abanhfleft

  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Abanhfleft              4    4   0   0   114   24  +90    12
2 Pratapgadh              4    3   0   1   106   55  +51     9
3 Nova Anglicana          4    2   0   2    74   72   +2     6
4 Natanians and Nosts     4    1   0   3    74   88  −14     3
5 The Jovannic            4    1   0   3    61  103  −42     3
6 Esportivan Darmen       4    1   0   3    40  127  −87     3

[Hannasea]

Tasting Notes

Appearance: The Hamsters take to the field refreshed after their first day exertions, ready to take on Ko-oren, a team who struggled in their opening games. A win is needed for the Hamsters to even have a chance at making the Cup round. The teams have some superficial similarities, both being mainly drawn from union regulars with a smattering of league players. More importantly, they have history: the Hamsters beat Ko-oren 24 – 15 in the Olympic semi-final on their path to gold.

Head: For once, the Hamsters got the better start as Harry Evans collected a pass from Seth Nielson with room to run and impressed with his speed to run in untouched from almost the halfway line. Parker added the points from a difficult angle. It was a great start to the day for the Hamsters, and they kept things going on the next series with a strong Finn Wynter tackle to dispossess his opposite number Arrin Kyes.

Body: Ko-oren eventually recovered the ball and made their way downfield to score through Neiran yGhearyc, but it had taken almost five minutes off the clock thanks to some relentless Hamsters tackling, Sam Vinson’s thudding hit on Wilmer Moore the highlight. By contrast, the next Hamsters score unfolded in just sixty seconds, from Ryan Lincoln’s strong run, to his well-timed offload to Evans putting in the winger for his second score. Again Ko-oren struggled with fluidity, and after Moore’s try, Kyes sliced the conversion so the Hamsters retained the lead. They would not surrender it again. Upping the tempo through Wynter’s best all round game of the tournament so far – passing, tackling, and running superbly, and with a great cross-field kick to Ethan Price for the third score. Joe Fox added a fourth as the Hamsters’ lead spiralled beyond reach.

Tail: Evans completed his hat-trick to put the win beyond all doubt. Ko-oren made one last attempt – which, given the Hamsters’ poor points difference record, was important to stop. And stop they did, Joe Fox with a terrific tackle to deny the surging Moore at the line and hold up the ball. That play ensured the Hamsters retained a (minimally) positive differential record.

Aftertaste: A much improved showing, especially on defense. Still lacking in offensive creativity, but if he’s going to run and score like this, then why bother being more creative than ‘chuck it out to Evans’. They tried Price as an impact sub at center, playing him alongside Evans, and that seemed to work, although Lincoln hasn’t had a bad tournament at all. The tackling was superb. A quiet match from Parker in the open, but he went 4/5 on kicks and a couple of those were tough.

Comparison: Sadly, the good win doesn’t count for all that much because Ko-oren aren’t doing too well in the group either. It keeps alive a notional chance of making the Cup round, but the Hamsters would need other results to go their way. Realistically, their poor points differential means only a huge reversal of fortunes for Copper Cuprum and a big win for themselves over Kriegiersien would be enough. A win of any size against the Krieg team will be difficult enough.

Rating

[Kriegiersien]

A group with everyone dressed as the Mascot Beerbold of the Greenbeer Inc. performs a song in the Kriegiersien Pavilion.


Who brews the best beer, who sponsors the best team here?
Greenbeer, Greenbeer.
What covers the taste of corona beer, because nobody likes Corona here?
Greenbeer, Greenbeer.
Where from comes the most beautiful tear? From the joy after which beer?
Greenbeer, Greenbeer.
What can you drink without too much fear? What beverage turns you up to eleventh gear?
Greenbeer, Greenbeer, Greenbeeeeer!


We are the Beerbold Band. What song should we sing next? The same song again? Ok!


***

Through the Beer Goggles – a drunken view of some teams and the event

Guest comment from Donald Drunk


I mean.. this is the Alpen View Festival. There is a view in it, so it is about how you view the whole thing.

If you don’t like mountain view or seeing drunk people singing or people bashing their heads, this isn’t for you. Then you shouldn’t view this. Just stay home.

But if you do, then you need the right perspective.

Take se Hans.. Hassan .. Hannasea Feds or whatever. For them the glass is mostly half empty or nearly empty. Instead of saying: There is still alcohol. Great. And then suddenly the world looks better.

You can learn from Lissy.. Lisander. I don’t see them here, guess they are training the whole time. Come from the Top and then you stay there. You just don’t make any mistakes and then you are first. Easy.

Or Copper Cuprum. Hmm...why is the Rum gone? However. If you have a big daddy then you can get a bit angry and whooosh, everyone gets wiped out of the way. Stay to your anger and the chicken comes to you, letting you bite his head off.

As for Grease... Kriegiersien they say “there are different shades of crazy”. What does that even mean? I only see them stealing different things. Songs and pictures and recipes and playing styles. Where is that crazy? I just don’t understand that.

But if you want to see something pretty, look at the poster of this event. Normally after a few beer something gets prettier. But in this case, the girl on the poster stays super pretty. I saw the picture when I was sober and she was great then. That's a view. I like mountains.
If anyone knows who she is and can give me a contact number or something, I won’t stalk her longer then the last women I have a restraining orders from.

Stay unsober

Your
Donald Drunk