Chapter Thirteen- Run of Play
"Look at the intensity of this team. It's as if they're fighting for their lives out there!"
The second pre-season game would be done without Kirito and Yui as part of squad rotation with the idea being to give everyone a run in before the tournament including Shino who was now on the pitch as a result of being a late replacement for the still departed Yoshida.
Asuna made a cameo off the bench scoring a late try and even a drop goal after a line out. But she had less kicking to do as Sinon took on the bulk of goal kicking duties and her razor-sharp accuracy complemented Asuna's speed with them becoming among the top ten, point scorers in the warm up matches.
As a result, Survivors RFC went in to the Tournament of Laureates having won both of their pre-season matches comfortably and being regarded as one of the favourites in the tournament. Meaning that Asuna joined her other team captains for the tournaments opening ceremony in the central plaza for the opening ceremony of the tournament. Sugou was absent but had sent his vice-captain Wythenshawe in his place.
However they did see the Prism Trophy the prize that all the ten teams were competing for. A sign of different people from different walks of life, genders and backgrounds coming together in mutual respect and competition.
After the ceremony they would have to wait to play their first game when they got where they demolished their an out of sorts Crusaders. Then put up fifty points against the valiant but stumbling Titans. Two bonus point wins, lead to the team being early pool leaders and a further one would follow.
The team led by The Lightning Flash who was living up to her old rugby nickname was growing into one was lethal from its wings, devastating from line outs and played with an intensity that surpassed all of their pool opponents. Yet they weren't invincible and being caught out at scrums or by a loose shot to their full backs could make them bleed tries.
Never the less three straight wins, three bonus points and at least we're giving commentators and analysts something to talk about. We're also giving people at home something to watch too!
"There's rumours surrounding them and it's no secret that some of the players are pulling double duty off the pitch. But on the pitch they are playing with a ferocity and flair that's at the highest levels".
Yet Hallowed Turf were doing exactly the same thing and it would be in their final pool stage game where things would get hairy. A top of the pool evening clash between them and The Turf who were exceeding expectations without Megan Naismith who was causing intrigue of her own.
Win and they would face the runners up in Pool B who would be grateful to scrape across the line after being battered by their rivals in a pool of death for everyone else but the winners of it. Lose and they would be runners up facing The Tombstones who'd smashed through all before them and were now awaiting their opponents in the first semi-final. Draw and things would get interesting in terms of tie breakers.
As a result, quite a few bleary-eyed Japanese people including a few gamers tuned in for an early morning match. They weren't disappointed because it would be intense from the kick off.
Survivors broke into an early lead in the first five minutes with tries scored by Hasketh and Yui. But Hallowed Turf were determined to claw their way back into the game. At the end of the first half they responded with a try of their own after their fly half kicked a cross kick to their winger who drove in past a frustrated and increasingly nervous Lyles.
In the second half the teams exchanged tries again and Kirito who had been playing reasonably well when he was on the pitch was caught off side with another player giving the side in green a chance to get closer to the Survivors through a penalty kick that they scored.
But close to the end of the half Kirito would redeem himself as
Asuna watched the ball fly through the air seeing Kirito following the ball, catching it and passing it before it went into touch.
He has been studying, now let's move.
As the Survivors drove forward the pressure on the Turf to make a mistake and it came just after Sinon unleashed a box kick. As she bore down on the descending ball she was slammed into by one of the Turfs centres in a no arms tackle.
As the referee awarded the penalty Asuna ran over to her teammate.
"That was a hard hit, are you ok?"
"Shino nodded as Asuna helped her to her feet.
"Yeah-"
She paused sucking in air.
"Just about."
The ex-sniper rubbed her rib cage as Asuna looked towards the posts and the referee came over.
It's direct… so for once I can take it. Give Sinonon a breather. But-
Asuna glanced at the grandstands as the ball moved to the kicking tee.
Sugou!
She shook her head
"Fifteen Seconds"
Blinked
What's he doing here?
The posts swayed taunted her. An unexpected jolt making her thoughts race.
Why now?
Tremor running through her left leg weight threatening to rise.
"Ten seconds captain."
Asuna stepped forward and almost scuffed the shot.
The ball soared towards the right crossbar and whacked it. A shiver ran through Asuna as she heard the upright ring and saw the ball drop down veering towards a player.
Don't just don't….
She let out a gasp as the ball went into the stands.
Her fists clenched as blinking she jogged back to her teammates.
Shit I got lucky there.
"Sorry guys."
Really lucky.
Hearing the commentary, feeling her ears go hot.
"That was shaky by Yuuki. You can see her nerves in front of goal but she's still kicking penalties just about."
I'm never going to score every kick. But… that was un-nerving.
Sugou's still- Ignore him. You're better than that!
Hasketh looked at her evenly.
"Hey Skipper"
He gestured to a clock in the corner of the stadium
"There's still ten minutes in this match! We'll get another chance to get away from them."
Asuna nodded
"Hai and we get the ball back so let's focus."
Lyles caught the ball from the restart and drove forward. But he was having nerves too and almost spilled it forwards .
Damn gave the ball back too early. But…
We've got another penalty for their number 8 failing to release!
Asuna took the ball, took one look at the posts and shook her head.
I'm not going to repeat THAT performance. But… I can kick it into touch.
Asuna's kick soared close to the opposition try-line. Eventually landing around ten metres from the corner flag.
Good that's enough for us to do some damage at the line out. Pity Rikas not here but we've got good enough players to drive this.
We're going into a maul. Follow it.
She glanced right.
We're drawing their players into it. But Kirito's starting to move a little too.
"Stay back Kirito!"
There was no anger in Asunas voice, just anticipation. Kirito drifted back keeping himself onside.
He's keeping his eye on the ball. Good because Hallowed Turf are about to stop our maul and we're just getting started!
"Get ready…"
Sure enough maul's stopped.
"Use it!"
Ball's out.
Time for me to catch it from Hasketh, move forward, NOW!
Asuna flicked the pass backwards and Kirito dived across Hallowed Turfs Try line slamming the ball down just under the posts.
Try number four. Bonus point!
"The Black Swordsman makes his mark on a rugby pitch at last. Welcome to the Tournament of Laureates Kirito Kirigaya!"
Thank goodness.
A replay started on the screen and people both inside and outside the stadium saw the action that had led to the score.
"Great assist by his fiancée and team captain/coach after the maul and then Kirito did the rest. Great team effort by Survivors."
"He was in the right place at the right time though, one of the people that when he's been playing on this team has been quietly building up improving his work. Richly deserved Kirito."
Sinon rifled through the conversion. Re-joining her team with a small smile coming across her face.
Both of them can have some fun at least
Now can we put some extra-
The referee blew their whistle
Not going to get to do that but we're in the clear.
"Well Survivors get through as pool winners. But they don't look invincible. No team in this e-rugby competition does even The Tombstones. But this team will face one of two teams who have a point to prove and they could be in for a very rough ride indeed."
The main co-commentator agreed. Then she put the knife in.
"Asuna Yuuki's last competitive international match ended in a defeat because of a missed penalty kick. Could the loss that she suffered several years ago be niggling her in front of goal?"
The chatter became more ominous.
"Only she knows."
Mercifully Asuna saw the Pool A table flash up in front of her with Survivors on top of it. Four points ahead of Hallowed Turf and enough bonus points as well as on points difference.
At least we're into the semis though and on our terms. Still dictating the pace, which will be a relief for everyone concerned.
Yui put her arm around her
"We made it through Mama Chan!"
Asuna patted her daughter on the shoulder
"Yeah… we did."
It gets tougher from here though.
She smiled at her husband who for once had been in a happy place on the pitch.
"Feeling up for an extra game Kirito?"
Kirito smiled back at her.
"If it's not my last one?"
At least Kirito got something… people were grinning at him. I don't know if he'll get any more though.
She looked at her other teammates who were shaking hands with their opponents.
Quiet relief just like we'd won a level in Aincrad that was too close for comfort, which it was. A step forward not the end goal but one victory that we could at least appreciate them.
But…
She shivered.
That was too close to us going into second place.
Although I wonder what would have happened if we had an early confrontation with Coffin Team?
Would all of this be over? Would my nightmares be over?
Little did she know that thousands of kilometres away someone was sipping tea with an equally concerned expression on her face. That and trying to avoid rubbing her eyes as she watched the aftermath and heard the analysis coming from a couple of commentators.
That was unusually nervy from Asuna-
"Bit early for you to be up watching footy!" Her Australian dormmate stared at her.
"Never knew you were a rugby fan."
Suguha kept staring at the screen, evaluating.
"Oh I keep an eye on it. My new sister in law is playing in this tournament along with her family and a friend of ours."
"Asuna, huh? How's she doing"
Suguha was watching as Asuna left the pitch shaking her head. The kendo champion turned.
"She seems to be in a bit of trouble at the moment."
Julia saw the highlights.
"Nerves?"
Suguha looked upwards "Maybe."
I wonder why though?
The female All Japan kendo champion and sports psychology student stretched her arms around her head.
Asuna's always been edgy, although blisteringly good when I've seen her play rugby, including at that testimonial. But this match felt different.
The ALO player tapped out a message, shook her head then sent her a voice one instead.
"Hey Asuna I saw you miss that penalty kick. Is there anything I can do to help?"
6