Why Dash vs. The HUNS
Despite both teams being tipped as title contenders, they each lost their first match. This match was a must win for both sides as the loser would make a shock early exit. Why Dash had opted for a long-range high-speed team based around Machariel battleships, whereas the HUNS were diametrically opposed with a two-Kronos high-damage brawler fleet.
Initial alpha-strikes from the Why Dash Machariels destroyed a Taranis assault frigate and very nearly his wingman. Nevertheless the HUNS managed to tackle one of the Why Dash battleships allowing the fleets into close quarters. Why Dash poured fire down on the HUNS logistics Oneiros but the webbed Machariel exploded and its partner was quickly tackled too. Why Dash replied by felling the Oneiros and the Taranis tackler, but it was too late for the second Why Dash Machariel.
At the 5-minute halfway stage the points were 19-40 in favour of the HUNS. A desperate Why Dash started frantically searching for points in a frigate chase and a the HUNS Taranis was eviscerated and their attention turned to a Myrmidon battlecruiser. Realising it’s destruction would not yield enough points, Why Dash switched to targeting a heavily armoured Kronos marauder battleship and managed to bring it close to structural damage, but the pilot managed to evade destruction until the time ticked down.
Why Dash‘s hopes were dashed and the HUNS had hung on.
RESULT: Why Dash (out) 21 – 44 the HUNS
Tinkerhell and Alts vs. Oxygen Isonopes
Another match with both teams in the last chance saloon. Tinkerhell and Alts fielded two Machariel battleships with support versus the twin Kronos focused Oxygen Isotopes fleet.
The first quarter of the 10-minute match passed without an explosion as both teams circled the 125km arena, careful not to over-extend whilst attempting to gain an advantage. Suddenly a Tinkerhell and Alts Sabre destroyer exploded and an Oxygen Isonope Enyo frigate took damage before being saved by a quick response from the logistics cruiser. Tinkerhell and Alts suffered further small ship losses before the damaged Oxygen Isonopes Enyo finally fell. Eventually, Oxygen Isonopes inficted further losses on their foe, despatching the last enemy Sabre and a Jaguar frigate.
With an almost full Oxygen Isonopes fleet hunting down the three remaining targets – two Machariels and a Scimitar logistics cruiser – and only three minutes remaining, it looked hopeless for Tinkerhell and Alts. Approaching the last minute, both logistics cruisers were picked off, leaving the score at 17-30 to Oxygen Isonopes, whose victory seemed assured as the two Tinkerhell Machariels desperately fired salvoes at a Brutix cruiser.
In a breathtaking finale, with only eight seconds remaining the Brutix exploded, bringing the result to 30-30. Even the commentators seemed unaware of the rules in this situation, but the subsequent destruction of an Oxygen Isonopes frigate after time was the tie-breaker which sealed a stunning comeback for Tinkerhell and Alts.
RESULT: Tinkerhell and Alts 34 – 30 Oxygen Isonopes (out)
