19-02-4

Aberdeen Owls’ Beater Blunder Still Bests Fiji Falcons’ Furious Forces

Match 4 this week is a comeback story that highlights the benefit of a top quality Seeker, but is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of inattentive Beaters.  At the release of the quaffle, Mattjin Bolin of the Falcons got possession and streaked toward the goalposts straight away.  August Inglis gave a good chase, keeping pace attempting to strip the quaffle out of Bolin’s hands.  However, Bonnie Hunniford, one of the beaters for the Owls batted a bludger directly at the pair as they struggled for possession, and in a last second swerve, it battered Inglis off of his broom, dislocating his shoulder.  When he hit the ground, he broke his other arm, and was knocked unconscious.  Internal injuries assessed after the game will keep him off of his broom for at least a week.  The Falcons took full advantage of a full chaser team to run roughshod over the owls, scoring 160 points in the half hour of the match. However, Torcall Brothaigh, the Owls’ keeper performed admirably, as the Falcons made 22 attempts on the goals.  At 51 minutes, the game changed as Keturah Butarbutar, the seeker for the Falcons sighted the snitch.  Butarbutar is known as one of the fastest seekers in the league, but Cassa Box is also a force to be reckoned with. Despite the advantage of being the first to sight the snitch, Butarbutar was simply not able to compete with Box’s top-notch performance, speed, and grace in going after the snitch.  At only 56 minutes, Box caught the snitch, securing the victory for her team even though their chaser’s score was more than doubled by the Falcons.

Final Score:  Owls 220, Falcons 160.

19-02-3

Pahrump Wild Burros Secure Second Win in Style Despite Great Effort From Grandview Garter Snakes 

Game three this week was another nail biter, featuring a riveting chase, tight scoring, and another victory for the home team.  Nicholas Stanton was the star chaser in hour one for the Burros, with a hefty 10 attempts at the Garter Snakes’ hoops, aided by 5 attempts from Cristina Williams and 2 from Raymond Elliott, making the Wild Burros’ score at the close of the first hour 120 points.  The Garter Snakes also ended the first hour with 120 points, partially aided by the Wild Burros’ beater, Franklin Mays, who on a misjudged bludger beating knocked his fellow beater, Tommy Wolf clean off of his broomstick.  Fortunately, he came away with only a broken arm and leg, and should be ready to play next week with help from the team’s Mediwizards.  The Garter Snakes, with morale high after this favorable misfortune took the initiative.  Pearl Pearce dominated the pitch for much of hour two, making 14 attempts and scoring on 9 of them, outpacing Elliott’s efforts, who only managed 8 goals for the Wild Burros out of 11 attempts.  The score was only 1 goal different at most through the whole of the second hour, and frequently tied.  Then suddenly, at 1 hour and 50 minutes Mable Thornton and Julia Lindsay, seekers for the Wild Burros and Garter Snakes, respectively, simultaneously spotted the snitch and gave chase.  Lindsay started with a slightly stronger position, and managed to keep Thornton off for quite some time, and encouraged by this, the chasers for the Garter Snakes redoubled their efforts, and managed two more goals during the chase, to bring them up by 20 points.  Then Stanton got hold of the quaffle for the Burros and made a goal right past Victor Wilson, as the seekers screamed by and distracted him, bringing the scores up to 250 and 260, Snakes leading.  Then, in a wild burst of energy, Thornton threw herself into a corkscrew dive after the snitch, catching it just beyond Lindsay’s grasp, ending the game at 2 hours 11 minutes in the Wild Burros favor.

Final Score: Wild Burros 400, Garter Snakes 260.

19-02-2

Barcelona Inquisitors Bring Up Record By Keeping Kearney Chimeras From Catching Snitch

Match two this week ended in a disappointing loss for the Chimeras, despite their superior Chasing skills.  The combination of the Inquisitors’ Beaters and Seeker was just barely too much for them.  Hour 1 saw an early lead by the Chimeras as Clara Rippon landed three of her 5 attempts at the hoops, but Leodogari Aguiar of the Inquisitors took command late in the second hour, with 5 successful goals of his own, further assisted by Maragda Torralba and Beatriu Rangil, for a total score of Chimeras 70, Inquisitors 80 at the close of hour 1.  Tommy Fleetwood then stepped up his Bludger management and kept Aquiar and Rangil from even touching the quaffle in hour 2, leaving Torralba alone to bring the Inquisitors’ score up to 100.  Meanwhile, Rippon and a renewed Portia Pond redoubled their efforts, despite a hail of offense from Vicenc Selvas and Zeferi Johe, the Inquisitors’ beaters.  They managed to keep Nancy O’Brien away from the quaffle, but Pond and Rippon brought the Chimeras into the lead by a goal before Borja Cruells spotted the snitch and gave chase.  Adina Ames did her best to catch him up and secure the win for the Chimeras, but once again Selvas and Johe plied their trade and occupied the Chimeras’ seeker too busy dodging bludgers to go after the snitch.  At 1 hour and 42 minutes Cruells grabbed the snitch and ended the game in the Inquisitors’ first win of the season.

Final Score: Inquisitors 250, Chimeras, 110.

19-02-1

Journeyman Jabberwocky Narrowly Knock Down Nottingham Nifflers 

Game 1 of week two was a real scorcher, at more than 7 hours long and with massive scores.  The two teams stayed fairly even through the match, with minimal action from the beaters, and a loose performance from both seekers.  Hour 1 opened with a furious barrage of goals and attempts, with 9 scored by the Jabberwocks and 10 from the Nifflers.  Hour two the action got hotter, with 15 goals for the Jabberwocks, most of those provided by Forrest George. But the NIfflers answered with their own 13 goals, Opal Doolan doing her best to keep the Nifflers in the game.  From there the scoring slowed down as both teams grew tired from the drawn out match. Hours 4 and 5 saw only token scores from both teams, but in hour 6 the Nifflers had rested enough to pull back into the lead with 6 more goals, answered only by 1 from Naomi Mathis for team Jabberwocky.  Hour 7 continued the trend, with Abel Blakely seeming to suddenly wake up and score 6 goals for the Nifflers, aided by 1 and 2 from Doolan and Mathew Robins, respectively.  The Jabberwocky was barely behind when Kyle Bitterwood, the Nifflers’ Seeker finally spotted the Snitch and gave chase.  But Adoph Duke was right there, and there was a lengthy 22 minute chase, giving the Jabberwocks enough time to score two more goals before Duke boxed out Bitterwood and caught the snitch for the Jabberwocky, securing a victory at 7 hours and 18 minutes.

Final Score: Jabberwocky 790, Nifflers 620.

2019 Week 2 Results and Standings

Match Results:

Game 1: Journeyman Jabberwocky (791.25) vs Nottingham Nifflers (623.5)

Game 2: Kearney Chimeras (113.5) vs Barcelona Inquisitors (252)

Game 3: Grandview Garter Snakes (264) vs Pahrump Wild Burros (395)

Game 4: Aberdeen Owls (223) vs Fiji Falcons (162.5)

Game 5: Wolverhampton Werewolves (32) vs Kingston Sea Cows (286.5)

Standings as of Week 2:

1st: Wild Burros - 29 VP

2nd: Owls - 27 VP

3rd: Jabberwocky - 21 VP (899.5 Match Points)

4th: Inquisitors - 21 VP (653.5 Match Points)

5th: Garter Snakes - 19 VP

6th: Werewolves - 18 VP (540 Match Points)

7th: Falcons - 18 VP (425.75 Match Points)

8th: Sea Cows - 17 VP

9th: Nifflers - 9 VP

10th: Chimeras - 1 VP

19-01-5

Kearney Chimeras Can’t Keep Control of Gleeful Grandview Garter Snakes

The final match of this week clocked in at only 34 minutes, leaving not a lot of time for the chasers to do their work, but when you have two of the fastest seekers in the league up against each other, you can usually expect a short match.  Despite the short time, Sherry Reed made 11 attempts on the hoops for the Garter Snakes, 5 of which were blocked by Delya Collyns in a spectacular showing of goalkeeping for the Chimeras.  However, the Garter Snakes’ beaters kept a fair command of the Bludger, and prevented the Chimeras from doing much with the Quaffle uncontested.  Out of 10 attempts between Clara Rippon and Nancy O’Brien, only 5 made it through a hoop. In the end, Julia Lindsay made the catch for the Garter Snakes, despite a close chase from Tanya Racer.  That grab, and the 150 points that went with it, put the Garter Snakes well into the lead and clinched the win.

Final Score: Garter Snakes 240, Chimeras 50.

19-01-4

Pahrump Wild Burros Pull a Win Despite Journeyman Jabberwocky’s Jostling

It was a wild ride this week for Burros fans and Jabberwock fans alike, as the Jabberwocky Chasers commanded the pitch, and both team’s Beaters gave brutal performances.  The match started off with a bang as Bruce Osborne grabbed the Quaffle and flew down the pitch, feinting past Keeper Sadie Shaw and hooping the first of 11 goals for the Jabberwocks.  Raymond Elliott and Nicholas Stanton tried to make an answer for the Wild Burros, but the Jabberwocky Beaters Timothy Frye and Jillian Rose kept them well in check.  Tommy Wolf and Franklin Mays likewise battered the Bludger for the Burros and kept Forrest George and Rodney Abbott similarly pinned, not allowing more than two goals each from them for the Jabberwocks.  But Mable Thornton, the Willd Burros’ Seeker won the day at 59 minutes, easily outpacing the Jabberwocky’s Seeker, Edna Strickland, after sighting the snitch at 55 minutes into the match.  The catch brought the badly lagging Wild Burros up and secured the victory.

Final Score: Wild Burros 180, Jabberwocky 110.

19-01-3

Walloping Wolverhampton Werewolves Win, Barcelona Inquisitors’ Intervention Ineffective

In the high-scoring game of the week, the Werewolves battled it out on their home turf and came away with a “W” for Wolverhampton, despite an early 4th hour snitch catch by the Inquisitors’ Seeker, Borja Cruells.  The first hour was marked by a strong scoring drive from Werewolf Stuart McKerras, who himself outpaced all three of the Inquisitors’ Chasers.  In hour two, Leodogari Aguiar answered with his own 6 goals for the Inquisitors, evening the pitch somewhat, but William Knight and Olen Arbutus also made 5 and 6 goals, meaning the Werewolves maintained a strong lead.  Hour three is where it all came together for the Werewolves, with Beaters Delbert Jackbuck and Haskell Suchet keeping the Inquisitors’ Chasers back on their heels, combined with Lynx Griffis’ goalkeeping mean the Inquisitors only gained 4 more goals during the whole hour.  This allowed Knight, Arbutus, and McKerras to widen the gap even further with 14 goals, so that when, at 3 hours and 12 minutes, Cruells caught the snitch for the Inquisitors, the gap was too much for the 150 point play to secure the win.  Asked after the game about the catch, Cruells said, “We train to catch the snitch.  If I see the snitch, I catch it.  Though we lose, we still gain points for the championship.”  Needless to say, Wolverhampton is pleased to take the top spot in the standings.

Final Score: Werewolves 510, Inquisitors 400.

19-01-2

Fiji Falcons Fleece Nodding Nottingham Nifflers

Vanua Levu has reason to celebrate today as their Falcons take the snitch and the win from Nottingham’s Nifflers.  It was another short match, with both seekers in top form after their off-season rest-up.  Also in top form was Eka Pranata Chandra, the star Chaser for the Falcons, with 9 of the Falcons’ 11 goals.  Abel Blakely also put forth a valiant effort for the Nifflers, but was hampered by Elias Gabb, one of the two Beaters for the Nifflers, who, on a tragic backswing, accidentally knocked the Quaffle through his own hoop, scoring an extra goal for the Falcons.  The crowds in Fiji went wild, and Gabb never recovered his composure.  However, Kyle Bitterwood gave Nottingham some hope as he eyeballed the snitch after 35 minutes, and the chase began.  Kyle seemed to have control of the situation, continually blocking out Dwi Hartanto, and not allowing her to use her better speed to full advantage.  However, Purnama Muljana and Josias Tindo Zian, the Falcons’ very skilled Beaters put up a Hornfell Defence and knocked Bitterwood out of the chase for just long enough for Hartanto to finally catch the snitch at just 1 hour and 12 minutes.

Final Score: Falcons 260, Nifflers 60.

19-01-1

Aberdeen Owls Outpace Cracking Kingston Sea Cows

A short match in Aberdeen to open the 2019 Federation Champions Quidditch League Season.  Cassa Box took only 59 minutes to catch the snitch for the Owls, leaving the Sea Cows not very much time to try to make up the gap.  The Owls began with a very energetic and coordinated effort between Chasers August Inglis and Linnie Atkins who scored 100 points between them.  Season Blackly, however was effectively shut out of the match by the Sea Cows’ brutal Beaters, Brendon King and Jaquin Denholm. Hopefully Blackly will be recovered in time for next week’s match.  The Keepers for both teams, Leron Alwood for the Sea Cows and River Bean for the Owls performed admirably, each blocking 65% of the shots sent at them. But the drama of the match defintely belongs to the Seekers, who had a very close chase for the snitch that began at minute 45, and ended 14 minutes later. The score was Owls: 100, Sea Cows: 70 when Kathryne Hitchens spotted the snitch for the Sea Cows, but Cassa Box cottoned on almost instantly and the chase began. During the desperate race, the Sea Cows managed another score, courtesy of Clarence Chaddock, bringing it to 100-80.  But as Hitchens lunged for the snitch, she sagged just a hair and gave Box the opening she needed to snag it and seal the game for the Owls.

Final Score: Owls 250, Sea Cows 80

Rosters Finalized for 2019 Season

Yes, the Draft is completed for the 2019 inagural season of Fantasy Quidditch!  This year there is one league testing the concept, though in the future hopefully more teams and leagues will be added.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out the League homepage, the Team pages, and keep checking back to see match reports, season standings, and inter-team banter in the comments sections. 

2019 is going to be a great year!

Now accepting Team Applications

Hey all!  The 2019 FAQL season is beginning and the application is live for new teams to join the Fantasy American Quidditch League.  The deadline for team submission is February 15, with the season starting in mid-April. 

Have a go, see if you can make the top of your League and secure a spot in the Quidditch World Cup next year! 

Sign up now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBg8zFoBvj1jtLo03Eo3OyvGRhyAugOGoLdbk5OdmVxvuSyw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Join the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/478629685970272/

Tell all your Harry Potter friends about this unique and amazing opportunity to manage a Quidditch team!

Week 3, Catapults at Wasps

Caerphilly Catapults Crush Winded Wimbourne Wasps

In the final and longest match this week, at 8 hours and 17 minutes, a slow boil ended in a flurry of activity.  The first hour saw a lot of back and forth, but no scoring.  Then Rose Mumps, a Beater for the Catapults put the Wasps’ Keeper, Fingal the Fearless out of sorts with a broken collarbone.  The next three hours saw Caerphilly outscore the Wasps by a 3 to 1 ratio, which only slowed down when they had quite a comfortable lead and began to play much more lax, being exhausted from their frenetic pace in the mid-game.  Wimbourne used the opportunity to catch up some, but victory was only just in reach when the snitch chase began.  Both seekers sighted and lost the snitch several times, and it was almost by accident when a bleary-eyed Katie Lestrange reached out and snagged the snitch as the sun was setting on the pitch. 

Final Score: Catapults: 860, Wasps 530.

Week 3, Crossbows at Bangers

Banchory Bangers Can’t Catch a Break, Cork Crossbows Create Colossal Catch

It was a heartbreaking match in Bachory this week, as it looked initially like the Bangers might gain their first win of the season, and in a home match at that.  It was a protracted match, and a closely scored one as it wore on.  The Bangers started off strong, quickly outpacing their Irish opponents in the first two and a half hours, but then Cork found their broomsticks, and began to push back the Banchory momentum.  Hour four saw the Bangers drop off completely, not able to attempt a single goal, while the Crossbows scored 10.  The morale seemed to drop off for the home team then, who came back into the game, but only halfheartedly, and their lead dried up.  The score was tied when Cedrik Elphik, the Crossbows’ Seeker caught the snitch barely ahead of Jean Jigger, leaving the Bangers with an 0-3 record. The Banchory fans were so dejected that only minor rioting was reported.

Final Score: Crossbows 790, Bangers 640.

Week 3, Falcons at Bats

Ballycastle Bats Badly Beaten Out By Furious Falmouth Falcons

It was a desperate chase for the Bats this week as they and the Falcons fought to turn their even records into winning ones.  The match began in a flurry, with both teams furiously flinging quaffles at the hoops.  Shot for shot the teams were evenly matched for the first two hours of the match, with Susan Krum doing a valiant job of keeping the Falcons from scoring more than a quarter of their targets.  But as the match wore on, the Bats wore out, with the Falcon’s Beater Colin Prince scoring decisive hits on the Bat’s entire Seeker lineup, who slumped through the third and fourth hours of the match while the Falcons continued to chip away at Krum’s defense.  Then in hour 5 Narcissa Wood and Marvolo Tonkarelli gained back their breath and scored a few more goals, but by then it was too late. The Falcon’s commanding lead of 470 to 200 was cemented into victory when Dudley Helga, the Falmouth Seeker caught the snitch at 4 hours 55 minutes. 

Final Score: Falcons 620, Bats 200.

Week 3, Arrows at Magpies

Montrose Magpies Mobilize to Oust Appleby Arrows

Despite a strong showing from the Appleby Chasers and Beaters, Montrose came away with the victory today, with a fortuitous capture of the Snitch by the Scottish Seeker Katie Bagnold at 2 hours and 10 minutes.  The chase was certainly as entertaining as the Quaffle action above the pitch, as Bertha Keddle gave Katie quite a good run for her money.  The two spotted the snitch almost exactly at the same time, but from opposite ends of the pitch, leading to a dangerous Hiddleston’s Pickle, both Seekers flying as fast as they can at a snitch between them.  Fortunately the snitch itself veered up before disaster, and led the two on a merry chase for nearly 40 minutes, during which time the Arrows racked up goal after goal.  But it was the Magpies from Montrose who caught it in the end, leaving the Arrows with a 1-2 record and their first divisional game loss. 

Final Score: Magpies 240, Arrows 170