For today's foray into Heroclix Approved Play we had 13 hardy (or should that be foolhardy?) souls so one unfortunate player had to sit out and take a bye each round. Alec Barret had a really good event tonight as he saw his nameless squad finish with a 2 - 1 record and 869 points. His first game was against Matthew and he managed to come through in a close encounter but Captain Mako, Ghost Widow and their new friends Stilt-Man and Firebrand eventually came away with the victory. Alec didn't fair so well in game two as he lost this one to Dale without getting a KO (but he did manage to get Captain Mako and Ghost Widow to survive until the end of the round). In his last game Alec got back to winning ways as he scored a whitewash and maximum 400 points against Craig, what was Craig playing at?.

David Hansell had gone with the time-honoured traditional favourite team ability tonight as his "Bat-Alloy" had combined Batman with, you guess it ... Alloy! The abominable combination worked a treat in hs first swiss round match as he took on James Cook, competing in his first Heroclix event for quite a while. David took the win and continued his strong performance from the dynamically deadly duo into round two as he took and Alec. Having defeated Alec, David needed only a third round win to move into the final, but aas he was not upto the challenge of the Gubameister, Phil. Phil defeated David and took his 100% record from him to make it his own, it was pretty tight though.

Dale had also used a nameless team tonight as it seemed to be the "Night of I Can't Be Bothered With A Name!" for many. His unidentified squad saw Spoiler, Black Cat and Bullseye join a Thuderbolted Yellowjacket. Dale's first opposition was Craig, the only part of the Hartlepool contingent besides myself (as Judge) tonight. Craig did better than an average Hartlepool FC performance as he scored big and left Dale with an earth shattering 0 points. Dale then moved on to face James Cook and recovered from his early shambles by taking a win to go 1 - 1. He finished with a respectble 2 - 1 by virtue of a decimation of young Jonathan McNamara.

Martin Teece's assult was spearheaded with his "Man Its Hard To Define" consisting of Goliath (Protected), Dr. Mid-Nite, Bullseye and Destiny. Martin began with a win against Paul Brown where Madness was the chosen BFC and seemed to help both players equally. Martin's second game was less sucessful as he saw Simon Swinbank take the win. Martin came back to record a good 2 - 1 by beating Peter Davies in a tight final contest and thus managed to finish in the top half and maintain his challenge on the League top spot, theough its getting very interesting in the higher echelons now.

As we were speaking of Simon Swinbank, we shall look as his record next. Simon's "Awesome Mystic Wannabes O'Doom" (which as Simon pointed out, did actually have a Minion of Doom tonight) comprised of Jinx, Ragman and Awesome Android. Simon got off to a flyer as he beat Jonathan with Awesome Android being the only survivor. It was a very similar story in round two for Simon as he came up against Martin Teece. Again Awesome Android was the only survivor and he even managed to score a few more points in that game. The wheels came of somewhat in the third encounter as Simon came up against a Huntmeister that was looking for victory and that's just what he got with Simon not managing to increase his score by a single point.

Paul Brown was looking to do rather better than his last league outing having picked up a measilly score and 0 - 3 record that time round. His "Probably Giant" saw Chemo (the giant green snot monster that was recnetly dropped on Budhaven in the DC Universe) team up with his good friends from another universe the Destiny twins (yes, I am being sarcastic again). Some confusion over the way the Suicide Squad Team Ability works cause Paul much constanation as he was informaed of the correct workings and this really cutailed his original plans for world domination. Martin saw off Paul's challenge in game one as the correct rules were explained and then to add insult to injury he managed to catch Ste Hunt for his second game so didn't come out of that with too many extra points. Paul did manage to finish on a win and with many more points than his last outing thanks in the main to a third round win against Matthew Cannings.

Jonathan McNamara had probably come up with the best team name of the night as his Atom Smasher, Hulk and Speedy teamed up to become "The Incredible Sulk" (we've seen a few of those lately, but lets move swiftly onwards from there shall we). A first round tie against Simon had yielded defeat, but a non too shabby 101 points and this was followed up with a mighty fine win against Mattew as he added 397 points to his total. A very difficult last match against Dale saw Jonathan unable to add to his points total as Dale ran away with the game and inflicted a whitewash, but a ninth place finish is pretty good when you compare experience levels with the other players.

Craig Wolleynose was in fighting mood as he was looking to recapture the glory of former days and move back into a challenging position in the jolly old League table with his "Don't Mock My Stilts". Not surprisingly this team was fronted by Stilt Man (the lowest point ginat available?) and he was joined by Crimson Dynamo, Mockingbird and Magdelena. The combination was very effective in its initial outing as Dale suffered the full force of a 400 point to zero whitewash with maximum possible points to Craig. It all went a bit Pete Tong for Craig from there though as Guba destroyed his final hopes and then Alec rubbed what little pride and confidence remained away with a reverse whitewash. Craig, you so neearly pulled a Teece! If Guba hadn't given you those 72 points you would have been there!!!

James Cook returned to Heroclix action after a lengthly lay off tonight and went with his tried an tested Avengers formulae as the "Alpha Nutters" came to life. A slow start was the order of the day for James as his unfortunate first round draw saw him facing David Hansell and David took not just the win, but all the points. Having faced David, Dale was the next port of call and although that went slightly better, the outcome was the same. Thanks to a third round bye James didn't end the event on no wins, but I am sure he will be looking to improve in his next event.

Peter Davies had also gone for an Avengers based assembledge too as his "A For Arrrr" implied he expected to take punishment more than he dished out pain. His assumption proved to be almost prophetic when played Guba in his first round match and went down to a defeat without registering a point ... A for Arrrr indeed! With the odd number of players tonight and the lack of points on the board, Peter got the scheduled bye for round two so he guaranteed not going 0 - 3. Peter finished off his games against Martin Teece and he lost again, but he did at least manage to scrape up 80 points this time round and thanks to the bye he eluded the dreaded last spot. I wonder if Sunderland will have done that well come the season's end? Peter's team tonight was Yellowjacket, Shaman and Scarlet Witch all using Alpha Flight.

Matthew Cannings had a bad event today as he really struggled against the tough competition. He first lost to Alec picking up only 37 points as Colossal Boy, Wolverine and Echo (I'll say that gain, Echo) just didn't gel well as a team. It was even worse in round two for Matthew as he lost again and this time was completely whitewashed at the hands of Jonathan McNanara. To finish things off without seeing any light at the end of the tunnel Paul Brown beat Mattthew in round three and only a further 29 points were collected during the defeat. Not the best performace for Matthew, but certainly something he can look to improve on next time. I shan't even mock the lack of a name here.

Some confusion over the workings of the Suicide Squad initially foild Paul's cunning plans, but he gets there in the end

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You guys all seem to be down one side of the map ... this wouldn't be the Prison by any chance would it? Roll on new Super Nova maps!

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Craig ... kicking Dale's but, prior to getting his butt kicked by Alec

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Simon versus Martin ... I worried about walking past this table for fear of blood spatter from arterial spray. Someone had to lose and as you can probably tell from the grin on Simon's face, it was Martin that faced that destiny

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Guba takes the game as Craig searches frantically for some six sided dice that can average a roll of seven or above (if you find any - I'll have some!)

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Captain James Cook (seafarer and hero of Cleveland in a past life?) returns to the Heroclix fold for his firste event (hopefully of many) in a few months

Stephen Hunt's "Chemo's Schemos" (that rolls of the tongue) was understandably fronted by Chemo, with Vixen and Speedy in the backroom staff. It was almost like a power trio from Seattle. The 200 point outfit started strongly as ... oh I am lying they slipped through round one witha bye, after all Hunt is the master of pulling the first round bye. No excuses for the second round win though as Chemo's Schemos tore some strips of Paul Brown for later roasting on the barbeque. The third round saw Simon Swinbank's strong early challenge fade and it was 3 - 0 again ... tiresome, but effective!

Guba's journey to the final came without a bye as "If I Were A Giant I Would Need A Crotch Box" stormed to a convincing whitewashy win against Peter Davies, then toasted Craig in round two. The last match was a tight one in which he scarapped to win the hard earned and necessary third victory against David Hansell. Cheese? Perhaps, but effective as Black Scorpion allowed Awesome Android to wildcard his mystic-like ability and the Protected made him annoying, this was aided and abbeted by an Experienced SHIELD Sniper too, ouch!

The final went in favour of Guba big style as the previously undefeated Hunt only managed to KO a SHIELD Sniper and collect 22 points. So Guba got the win! Well done sir. Peter Davies picked up another Fellowship Award for his sporting and friendly play style. See you all again next week for a Team Ability Challenge match ... pick your teams and pick them well ... or don't if you prefer not to. Bye!

As Guba and Hunt prepare for the final, the frames of mind can be read in the photo. The dishevelled looking scruffy Hunt (who is growng a beard for a Prate Party alledgedly) seems to be praying for divine intervention, whilst a relaxed and casual looking Guba sends a text message from his prison cell ... did the know the outcome in advance?

The final placings after the Three Swiss Rounds were as follows...