Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 07:47 AM EST by Trent |
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The packs were not kind to them. How will these two well-known Ontario writers fare in the battle of the B seats?
The Thornhill trio, despite being a last minute fill-in for London, was regarded as one of the favourites to win. With both a Pro-Tour Champion and Finalist (in this format) as well as a Limited Grand Prix Semi-finalist on their roster, how could they not be? Sarnia, on the other hand, is a relative unknown commodity at this event. Outside of some decent PTQ and Pre-release finishes, not to mention a PTQ win and subsequent Pro Tour appearance by Geordie Tait, this team has yet to really make a noticeable splash. They are here to show the wider Ontario community what they are capable of. Winning this tough match-up right off the bat should go a long way toward doing just that.
We will recall from yesterday's draft coverage that the packs were not particularly kind to either team. In the battle of the B seats, Gary Wise (Thornhill) is playing G/B while Geordie (Sarnia) is with his current favourite - U/R (this time with a splash of Black).
Neither player has a turn one play, but Gary has a nice Gempalm Strider on his 2nd. Geordie has the answer in Mistform Wall. Not to be outdone, Gary makes a turn 3 Spectral Sliver. The army build-up continues as a Morph appears on each player's side. Gary attacks with his 3 men into Geordie's 2. The Morphs trade and the Wall blocks the Strider so Geordie's life total falls to 18 as Gary chooses not to pump the Sliver instead playing a Wirewood Herald and passing the turn.
Geordie replaces his fallen Morph with an Ascending Aven. On Gary's turn he attacks again. His Sliver is blocked by Geordie's Mistform Wall and pumps up to take it out. The other creatures hit for 3. Gary - 20, Geordie - 17.
Geordie sends back with his Aven, evening the score, and casts an Embermage Goblin. Gary knocks him to 14 and casts a Barkhide Mauler. Things are not looking good for Geordie, who continues to serve in the air for 3. Gary's turn sees him play an Oversold Cemetary, hit Geordie down to 11 and be pinged to 13 himself by a pesky Goblin during his end step.
Geordie finds the answer to Gary's large Beast with an Aphetto Grifter and another Mistform Wall. He appears able to win the race by serving with the Aven and pinging with the Goblin, while tapping down Gary's largest attacker. To make matters worse for Gary, a Covert Operative joins Geordie's forces.
With Gary at 6 life and facing down unblockable Ascending Aven and Covert Operative. He goes for the win with a Dirge of Dread. Alas, Geordie is unfazed and has no lack of judgement. He taps the Mauler. Gary scoops.
Geordie - 1, Gary - 0
In the meantime, Chris Borek had quickly lost 2 straight games to Steve Wolfman. I don't know what kind of "nuts" draw Wolfman's deck could produce. Perhaps an early Skilled Wizard and some good beats? I didn't think his deck had any really good beats? Ridgetop Raptor Double-striking for 4 a turn? Whatever it was he got it 2 straight games. Kevin and Mark were in for the long haul, as befits decks containing White.
"I'm just out to have some fun." Gary Wise
"Funny that you're just playing for fun, while in some ways this is the most important match of my career." Geordie Tait
In the "Feature Match" Gary looks good with a turn 3 Timberwatch Elf, but Geordie has the Shock. Geordie makes a Blade Sliver while a Symbiotic Elf joins Gary's side. Both players spend several turns just building up their armies. Geordie defensively, with a pair of walls - Mistform and Deceit. Across the table Gary casts a Barkhide Mauler and Explosive Vegetation so he can power out more. Geordie shows the reason for his Black splash with the powerful Toxin Sliver (not bad with his Mistform Walls!) Gary uses his newfound land to cast Symbiotic Beast. Geordie responds by slapping down the card that had worked so well for him Game 1 - Aphetto Grifter, along with a Morph. Some creatures had traded here and there throughout the game, but the ground is quite clogged up at this point and Gary casts a Needleshot Gourna in case Geordie should find some of his flyers.
Gary casts a Severed Legion that could start biting into Geordie's life total (now that his Black creature is gone) but Erratic Explosion ends that threat before it starts. Geordie eventually has 2 Ascending Avens that are hitting Gary as his Needleshot Gourna keeps getting tapped during his combat step. Gary is down to 11 at this point and things aren't looking too good for him. He has 2 turns to live or needs a good draw and he gets it with Noxious Ghoul. The Ghoul and the Zombie that follow wipe out Geordie's whole board leaving nothing but Gary's bigger beasts. Game 2 goes to the Wise One.
Geordie - 1, Gary - 1
Thornhill is up one match to none and Kevin is winning over Mark.
Geordie leads off for their deciding game, playing nothing but land for his first 2 turns. Gary casts a turn 2 Wirewood Herald which is answered by a Morph on Tait's side. Gary serves for 1 with the Herald and casts a Morph of his own. Geordie doubles up his Morph count and passes it back. Gary swings with both his guys which both run into Morphs. Geordie stacks damage and Morphs Wall of Deceit to take out Gary's Morph (Spined Basher).
"I hate that guy!" Gary Wise, glaring at the Wall of Deceit.
Gary's Herald heads to the bin as well and he tutors out a Symbiotic Elf, casting a Screeching Buzzard. Geordie swings with his mystery man, knocking Wise to 18. Gary hits back, putting Geordie to 17 and casts a Spitting Gourna. Geordie's next turn brings out Embermage Goblin and Covert Operative. Gary makes a Needleshot Gourna and is pinged down to 17. Geordie casts an Imagecrafter and a Morph and swings with his unblockable Wizard. Wise is at 14. Gary is willing to race - he hits Geordie down to 13 and adds to his team with a Morph and a Timberwatch Elf. Goblin Wizard pokes him down to 13 and it's an even ballgame.
The combatants just keep slugging away at one another. Covert Operative knocks Gary to 10. Gary hits back with Symbiotic Elf and Screeching Buzzard (Timberwatch Elf does some pumping). Geordie is at 7 and it appears Wise is winning this damage race. But Geordie has some surprises up his sleeve (or at least in his hand). He pings Gary down to 9 during Wise's end step and swings back with the Operative on his own turn to put him to 6. Tait flops his hand on the table - Shock and Solar Blast. That makes it 1 and the Goblin is there to finish up. Wise has no answers so he extends the hand.
Geordie - 2, Gary - 1
Kevin had gone up a game to Mark in the meantime and "some time" later the White match-up ends in Kevin's favour giving Sarnia the "upset" victory over Thornhill. They will be facing Oshawa (the man and the team) in Round 2.
Coverage by Trent Rogers
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