HIGH FLYING BATTLE OF THE SKIES!
                                          Saturday 10th November
                                                 Samuel Skeeter.
Waking up to cloudy skies but a shred of light poking it’s way through the grey mass was a reassuring start to the day, considering the horrific weather last weekend displayed. The forecast promised only light showers and a breeze to face the players of today’s match. There was hope in the air that spectators would actually get to see this weekend’s match instead of a curtain of rain!Â
All the players were geared up and ready to go for the 2 o’clock kick off. A tense silence between the second the quaffle left Shacklebolt’s hands and the moment the whistle was blown. In a flash, blue and red dashed around the pitch and the game was injected with a shot of adrenaline. Excluding old rivals Gryffindor and Slytherin, this is one of the most anticipated matches of the year!
5″ Gryffindor are already off to a great start as Foster bags the first 10 points of the match, in a quick dunk into the far right hoop. They're making it look easy.
9″ The Lions Captain, intercepts a pass from Wilson to Scott gaining 10 points.
12″ Nott and Skeeter are lurking around the top of the pitch, Nott seems intent on spotting the golden ball while Skeeter’s trying to gain his balance.
15″ Brown takes another ten points for the Lions, Gryffindor have their A game!
17″ Weasley goes to take a pass from Brown but has to dodge a bludger. The chaser collides with Richards in the blue, who grabs the quaffle from him. Ravenclaw snatch ten points! The score is now 30 - 10 to Gryffindor.
22″ Nott has his eyes on Skeeter, he’s not letting the smaller Ravenclaw out of his sight as he chases him through the stands in a game of cat and mouse.
28″ Brown takes a quick ten points for Gryffindor while Archer and Edwards are throwing beaters at the Ravenclaw chasers near the goal.
30″ Foster and Weasley attempt a Porskoff Ploy. The quaffle slips straight through Weasley’s arms but luckily Brown recovers the quaffle and scores 10.
35″ Archer dodges a bludger which then turns back around on him, he draws his bat and smacks the hyperactive ball into the Wilson, winding him for a moment.
39″ The Lion’s seeker, Nott, stops sharply when Scott drops the Quaffle, without a second thought, the Gryffindor is flying fast down towards it, grabbing it and loop up towards the hoops, throwing it through and scoring 10 for the Lions.Â
45″ Thomas has been keeping a good game, he’s successfully kept the bludgers away from the new chasers Ravenclaw have recently taken on. Gryffindor are certainly putting the newbies through their paces.
49″ It’s unbelievable the amount of points the lions are racking up while Foster claims another ten! Dodging a bludger from Matthews, he weaves through Richards and Bradley before aiming it straight through the top hoop!
52″ Matthews and Thomas smack two separate bludgers which Louth narrowly dodges. This allows Bradley to pocket 10 points with the keeper distracted.
59″ We see Thomas lining up a bludger and successfully backhands the ball to hurtle towards the Gryffindor Captain. Weasley takes the bludger in the middle of a reverse pass, which he manages to pull off despite injury.
60″ Skeeter and Nott look a little more lively as they’ve caught first sight of the snitch. Skeeter darts off after it first but Nott is quickly on his tail. The two bump shoulders a few times before soaring up to the top of the Hufflepuff tower.
62″ What’s this? Gryffindor have brought the lion out and Brown scores! It is quickly intercepted by Foster who rounds the posts and takes another 10!
62″ The score stands at Gryffindor leading with 90 - 20.
67″ Weasley takes a dodgy shot, it clips the side of the hoop in his favour and Gryffindor take another 10 points! This play has the Ravenclaw chasers flying in circles while the reds in the crowd are screaming with excitement.
71″ Skeeter and Nott seem to be trying to see who’ll be first to shove the other into the nearest stands. Skeeter slips for a moment and fumbles into a dive before picking the nose of his broom back up a few feet before the ground. Nott drops down after him and the snitch sends them both hurtling after it.
76″ Weasley goes for a shot against Wilson but is quickly blocked. The match is getting tense as the adrenaline spikes again. Hearts are racing in the stands!
77″ Weasley goes back for a quick second attempt after being aided by Edwards. The beaters throws him the quaffle after intercepting and the Captain snatches another ten points for Gryffindor! His name is chanted by the reds!
78″ A flash of blue and red catch the crowds attention as Nott and Skeeter are gliding a few feet from the ground in pursuit of the snitch. The two round the corner, there’s some rough play from both as they’re desperate with outstretched hands to be the one that takes it. The nose of their’ brooms knock against each other sending Skeeter into a bit of a wobble, the seventh year clearly having more experience and skill over the fourth year Ravenclaw.
79″ With the distraction from the two seekers, Edwards takes an opportunity and with some quick bluffing, he scores ten points against Wilson.
81″ Nott and Skeeter certainly aren’t giving up. Nott shows off his experience as he drives the younger player closer to the ground. They’re both batting each other’s hand out of the way as the snitch is at the tips of their fingers. It takes a split second for Skeeter to lose control of his broom and with the close proximity he sends Nott into a tumble onto the sand as well. It’s unclear where the snitch has gone until Skeeter starts wriggling and the snitch pops out of his collar before whizzing about disorientated. The Ravenclaw snatches the golden ball from in front of his face and 150 points are added to the scoreboard.
84″ The final whistle is blown by Professor Shacklebolt and Ravenclaw are declared the winners of today’s game even though Gryffindor showed true heart.
After an extremely dominant play from Gryffindor, the odds couldn’t have been predicted to lead Ravenclaw scraping a victory. It was certainly an act of luck that was blessed upon the eagles that afternoon. However, it cannot be disputed with the fire and drive that the lions showed they’re a force to be reckoned with.
This has been a incredible start to the season and the rest of the tournament can only be imagined, there are several strong players out on the field this year and Gryffindor are certainly ones to watch in the upcoming matches.Â
        GRYFFINDOR 110 - 170 RAVENCLAW