As you read this tale make sure your gun is loaded with silver bullets or your threshold is protected with garlands of garlic otherwise you may be bitten or is it smitten by the story of the battle between the vampires and the werewolves. In the faraway land of ACC there were many different clans. There were the primadonnas of the first clan, the pretenders and thieves of the second clan, the third clan was made up of journeymen of all kinds but the fourth clan were werewolves, conceived under an evil moon and the fifth clan were the mortal enemies of the werewolves, the vampires!!

For many an age the werewolves had lacked true leadership hence the vampires were able to dominate thanks to the sophisticated leadership of the ageing king MacDonald. Times were changing, however, and the werewolves had a new young leader, Abid was his name and he was fearless, even willing to send young wolf cubs Berend and Tammo into battle.

For the entire year both the werewolves and the vampires had plundered villages in fourth class, Rhoon, Leiden, Gouda had all fallen victims to attacks by the werewolves and the vampires. It was inevitable that the vampires and werewolves would meet in battle. Last weekend the first battle occurred under the beating sun in Amsterdam. How could such a battle take place under the beating sun when both werewolves and vampires cannot function in the daylight. The modern werewolf while strongest under the full moon can still fight in daylight while MacDonald the king of the vampires had modified his famous Heineken potion which made the vampires immune to the effects of sunlight.

As battle commenced the vampires were first in the field but the werewolves were immune to every projectile the vampires bowled at them the first casualty did not come about until the score was 82 and it seemed that the werewolves would score a easy victory. Later when the score was 132 for 4 the tide of the battle changed and the ancient vampire weapon of slow bowling started to take its toll. The werewolf batsmen were eventually all out for 189 but they still had their secret weapon for on this day both the moon and the sun would be in the sky.

A pause in the battle took place and both armies feasted on flagons of fresh blood for lunch. Now the vampire army had their target, 190 would guarantee victory.

First into the fray were the two ancient vampire coven leaders Robert Wolf and Patrick Phillips. Patrick, sporting the magical tattoed torso smashed Abid to the boundary, was this a sign of things to come? Nay, old scores had to be settled and Robert called yes and Patrick was forced to fall on his sword with the score on 57. In came Nagesh the Shaman but the sunlight was too much for him, for he did not partake of the king’s potion and he departed with the score on 60 for 2. This brought the English Gentleman vampire to the crease, Robert England, his requirement for blood is greater than most of the vampire team and for a time he feasted along with Robert Wolfe and took the score to 117. Then catastrophe Robert Wolfe was pierced by a stake through the heart for another 50. This brought Richard Matchett to the crease and with beauty and the beast at the wicket all was well but on 138 another runout saw the Gentleman vampire depart.

In came the old King and the werewolves sensing victory started to surround the vampire pair, Matchett soon departed but the Old King was determined not to be beaten. Sadly determination is no match for strong shoulders and functioning lungs and try as he might the six would not come. His partners came and went first Tim Lewis then the young Philip Spiering then Alex Taylor then the notorious Gimp and finally Frankie. As the last projectile was bowled the old king stood defiant but defeated by 13 runs.

Well played Five and congratulations to Four.

The Old King