The first round saw some interesting pairings, newcomer to the venue (but all agreed a great player and very nice bloke) Phil faced off against Dave's "Kitty Litter" Cat themed team. Phil had an X-Men™ line up with Banshee™ (plus Nova Blast), Iceman™, Jean Grey™, Prof. X™, Domino™, Wolverine™, a Paramedic and two Gwen Stacey™ bystanders. You just cant get enough of the lovely Gwen! Dave's pussies consisted of Sabretooth™, Hellcat™, Catwoman™, Black Panther™, Shadowcat™, Tigra™, Cheetah™ and Black Cat™. Man does this guy like his cats or what? In a tight and close game the cats were just pipped scoring 387 to the X-Men's 409.

Ste H, fresh from his Californian experience drew Craig for his first battle. This saw Ste's Sinister Syndicate™ face off against an Indy team of mostly Bladers with just a hint of Arwyn™added to taste. The Huntmeister was victorious (Hoorah for the Syndicate) 447 to 351. On the plus side Craig didn't push anyone to destroy a wall and leave himself no longer impervious and open to a hail of fire and abuse this month. You see, he is learning! He did however use the Inertial Interference Field Feat, rendering his own Arwyn™'s running shot useless at zero damage. LOL again!

Brothers and twins, also new to the venue thanks to the offerings of New Guy Night, Parry and Liam faced each other in the first round. Parry, usually phased (or is that plastered) by his brothers Veteran Quicksilver™ this time trumphed (and in some style) 709 to 81 despite the best efforts of Darkseid™. Parry's begged, borrowed and hopefully not stolen team fielded Ghost Rider™, Wolverine™, Joker™, Spider-Man™ and the Human Torch™.

In the final first round Swiss pairing Doctor Doom™ and his Doombot™s faced the menace of a Fortituded Veteran Cheeseman ... it was obviously them who were doomed. Predictably Supercheese won out althouth not before Batman™, Little Sure Shot™ and Ray Harper Junior™ were elliminated. It was short lived 'glory' for the Minions of Doom™ although their highlight was seeing a Rookie Doombot™ knock Batman off the roof of a building (yes Doom™ is easily pleased these days).

It seemed that noone had actually noticed Supes other than the Minions of Doom™ during the first round as most of the cheese comments didn't start to kick in until Swiss Round 2.

One of the new guys to the venue, Phil muses over how to train Dave's kittens.

Mr. Hunt trys to second guess what madness will strike Craig part way through the game this week.

Table one saw no upset as the Kryptonian managed to gorge (as in Cheddar) himself on Parry's ill prepared clix. "E Dam" said Perry as he was decimated 726 to 72. Still it could have been so much worse if the dumpster wasn't banned from the venue. No, I am sure he wouldn't have used that as well (would he?).

In the predicted close call on table two, a last action attack helped to pull off a impressive victory for Mr. H. against Phil by the narrow margin of 408 to 378 (I reckon he did threaten the walk home). Unfortunately the 'reward' for the win was a third Swiss Cheese Round game against the son of Jor El (who was not in the mood to bow before anyone today). Surely the impressive unbeaten Swiss Round record would now fall after last month saw the first Game Stuff defeat for Mr. Hunt in the final. Alas Stu had not returned to defend his hard fought title so it was well up for grabs. This game saw a very nice Pulse Wave from Phil hitting - well all of Ste's team apart from Calypso™ for a mighty total of 21 points of damage!

On table three, Craig failed to tame the wild cats of Dave and he was savaged 457 - 331. It just goes to show that they weren't all pussies after all. Side Note - Kudos to Dave who has fielded a themed team in all the tournaments he has entered thus far - keep up the good work.

In the battle of the not-wanting-to-be-lasters Doom™ and Darksied™ had a pounding match that Doom™ eventually won thanks to his Mastermind. However, what was left of him was relatively easy pickings for Quicksilver™ who earned his team a valiant win.

Come on Ste - you could at least allow your opponent the dignity of not playing looking the other way or playing with your hands behind your back.

Deep in thought (hmmm, if I walk at an average pace of 4 miles per hour I could be home by around 2 am, or I could convincingly throw the game late on with a flawed move).

Ding ding, round three! Superman™ took on and took out the Sinister Syndicate, or at least he would have if they hadn't of all squeezed into a tiny office to write their memoirs for most of the game. Anyone would think they had something to fear from the flying bloke in the red cape. Bah, Doom™ may have been beaten but at least he didn't run and hide like a girl at the sight of the "S".

Whilst Superman™ was heard to call out "Syndicate ... come out and playeh!" Elsewhere Phil demonstrated his skill and knowledge of clix admirably well. In a one sided affair, Liam was well and truly bettered by his X-Men™ opponents, ironic to think that X-Men™ are his favourites. Will he like them more or less after this? Who knows???

Liam's older brother Parry fared somewhat better against Dave's puddycats. Dave used the Crimson Duck tried and tested 'Oops wrong Joker™' technique of play confusing the Icons© bad guy for his multi-coloured cousin. After charging most of his team into the fray, death by poison ensued ... been there, done that, got the T-Shirt. I know that doesn't make you feel any better but at least it makes you look less foolish.

Last but not least, no actually last and least, Craig pulled of his first win of the day by pounding the demoralised Doom™. Admitedly Doom™ contributed to his own downfall, pushing twice to rob himself of his beautiful Mastermind ability. The Invulnerablity didn't realy help against the Blades/Claws/Fangs Brigade and he went down squeeling like a baby pig. Success once more for the Doombot™s though, well success of sorts - they managed to kill Shi™before being beasted by Arwyn™. Didn't she used to be an elf?

Final scores on the doors ...

So the final was Ste D. (and about time to my friend!) against Phil who just pipped Parry by 47 points. Today was the day Superman™ would battle the X-Men™, now that would be a film worth watching surely.

Notice the TWO holes in the wall (bottom right) made by Superman just so that he could demonstrate his Unstoppable Feat! Big Show Off!

Doom leads his Minions to triumph ... eerrr ... triumphant defeat that is!

The final was closer than might have been expected although poor Phil's hopes took a nosedive when Ste won the map choice and picked a lovely cluttered indoor map with lots of walls. Fair play to Ste, he did actually move his Superman™ to a point that gave Banshee™ some chance of hitting him and this was duly acknowledged by his opponent. Unfortunately, needing a nine to Pulse Wave he rolled poorly and despite Probability Control couldnt get above six with either attempt.

Good effort Phil you fought to the end and did yourself proud. Well done Ste too, it was a battle befitting of the final and congratulations on the win. A new name for the hall of Fame!

The final ... X-Men™ Vs Superman™, Marvel© Vs DC©.

Today as it was close to Christmas there was something a leetle beet special on offer, 'Siege of the Sentinels'. Each player had 300 points (it was suggested they use mutants) and they teamed up to take on the combined might of seven Sentinels™ and Nimrod™ to try to stop them destroying the Avengers™ Mansion.

Everyone who killed a Sentinel™ got a spot prize (from Judge Duck's spare Heroclix and other Marvel goodies collection) and the player who ammassed the most kills got Plastic Man™.

The players really enjoyed the game and in a tight ending three Wolverine™'s took out Nimrod™ to see Parry victorious.

To end things off two votes were held. One for the Fellowship Award and a second for a new award. The Inaugural GameStuff Cheese Award. Toting up the votes for Cheese first Ste Date manage a mighty impressive unanimous victory. All the more impressive as the unanimous vote meant he had actually voted for himself! He's not a bad egg really - he even got Superman to pose with his prize ... a lovely Baby Bell.

Fellowship obviously couldn't be unanimous but by a resounding majority Phil took this to go along with his second place to collect an LE Wendigo and Armor Wars Map and another Superhero related item that can not be named for legal reasons! Nice one Phil. I hope the prizes made the trip down from Durham worthwhile and were enough to entice you back to play with us again very soon.

Congratulations to everyone for a great days Heroclix®. Thanks to everyone for turning out and making the tournament another great Wizkids event. Thanks to Wizkids for their prize support and once again a BIG THANK YOU to Sam for letting us use the venue and being there in case of emergency.

As we left the venue, it was discovered that 'somebody' who left earlier had thought it funny to write a victory slogan in all the grime on Mr. Hunt's little SMART car. Somebody else (who shall remain entirely nameless) felt a slight edit would make the slogan far more appropriate!

Ok, we have had our fun. Mr. Date says all the cheese jokes have to stop now or he will field a similarly 'competitive' team next time. He is right. We should all brie more mature and grow up. Ok he gouda used a different team, but he wanted to give Supes a pizza the action. He has used mozza his figures but never the veteran Superman. It really is time to stop acting the goats and being so soft or we will drive him away into a little cottage on his own. There's stil tons of fun to be had so we can't be blue.

Sorry Ste mate ... I just couldn't resist. Guess I am kissing goodbye to that Tim Drake LE trade now eh?

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