-American State Quidditch Match – Wisconsin vs. Alaska-

Well, this match was set to be interesting, with both teams adding in various younger, new recruits into their line-ups, but I don't think anybody could have anticipated just how fiesty a game this turned out to be! Both teams had players sent off the pitch for violent behaviour and misconduct, and Wisconsin Chaser Allie Hart was taken off the pitch on the healers' levitating stretcher straight to the nearest hospital.

The game started out relatively calmly, and the Wisconsin side began to gain an early lead with some magnificent set plays and goals from their three chasers, Allie Hart, Marc Whinney and Will Alden. As the goals kept on coming for Wisconsin, it was easy to see that several of the Alaskan players were getting quite tense. After the fifth consecutive goal for the Wisconsin side, Alaskan Beaters Jack Owen and Tracey Short had had enough, and both of them simulatneously hurled their bats at Allie Hart; the scorer of the last goal.Owen's bat missed its target, but Short's bat struck Hary in the head, causing her to fall off her broom and plummet thirty feet towards the ground. 

Wisconsin were quick to react, with their keeper; Miles Edwards, shouting insinuating remarks and a wide variety of swear words ar his rival Beaters, and Wisconsin Beater Alice Spindle copying Owen and Short's moves by hurling her bat at them, though it missed and hit the ground below.

Referee Keith Cumbers called both teams back to the ground to deal with the situation accordingly. Whilst healers bustle around Allie Hart, Cumbers sent off four players in one go: Jack Owen, Tracey Short, Miles Edwards and Alice Spindle. The four of them were followed off the pitch by the booing of the crowd, and four reserves came on to replace them.

Play started back up again and it was relatively calm, with both sides scoring several goals and an extremely impressive save from Alaskan keeper Charlie Rowe which had the crowd on their feet. Both teams Seekers stayed pretty out of sight for the duration of the game, only coming back into the game towards the end, when they both flew across the pitch at incredible speed, presumably after spotting the Snitch. There was some outstanding flying from both Seekers, but in the end Wisconsin Seeker Aimee Taylor came out on top, after her impressive array of nimble tricks and turns that the more heavily built Alaskan Seeker simply could not execute. Taylor thrust her fist into the air, showing the snitch to the cheering crowd, and the game finished 250-80 to Wisconsin.

We spoke to both team captains after the match, to get their opinions on events of the day. Wisconsin team captain, Will Alden, told us;

"It was hectic out there, and to call it "frightening" is an understatement. Once beater bats started flying, we were all completely pissing ourselves, I can assure you. And I swear my heart stopped when Allie fell off her broom - my thoughts are with her and I wish her a safe recovery, and I can imagine a lot of people out there wish the same. She's a strong girl - she'll be back to her feet in no time."

Alaska team captain, Charlie Rowe, also offerd us his thoughts on the game;

"It was a dirty game out there, and I am not proud of what some of the members of my team did. There will need to be some stern conversations with certain members of the team, and I think we might try a different line-up for the next game. Actions as disgraceful as these have severe punishments, and I hope that my Beaters will see that when they stay on the reserves for the next games."

Turn back to this page next issue for another thrilling game, Arizona vs. Ohio!