May 31st – June 1st saw Reading host a riotous weekend of Blood Bowl at the Pitch Invaders tournament, and it came with a full-scale Welsh invasion! With 60 coaches in total, including 12 brave Welshmen, this event delivered brutal blocks, slick touchdowns, and a fresh new ruleset that helped level the playing field and shake up the standings.
Though not present in person, reports from the dugout paint a vivid picture of a tightly contested tournament where skill, strategy, and perhaps a touch of luck played key roles. Among the standout performers were the Welsh contingent, who made their presence felt in the top rankings. GColeman76 led the charge, nabbing a 3rd place finish with his High Elves, the Eataine Hawksbills. He was joined in the Top 10 by fellow Welsh coaches Joeseph, Thatasianguy, Dementor, and Jayward.
One of the most exciting aspects of the weekend was the tournament’s experimental ruleset, aimed at creating a more balanced and competitive environment. Early feedback seems positive – with the diversity in the Top 10 reflecting both player skill and the effectiveness of the format. Here’s the breakdown of those top teams:
- 2x Imperial Nobility
- 2x Old World Alliance
- High Elves
- Elven Union
- Chaos Dwarfs
- Necromantic Horror
- Amazons
- Skaven
A fantastic spread of races and a testament to the versatility and coaching prowess on display. You can check out the full rules pack here, more information on games played can be found on Tourplay
Tournament Results
- 1st Place: HexBaron – Bright Crusaders (Imperial Nobility)
- 2nd Place: Kaijinchicken – The Flying Chickens (Imperial Nobility)
- 3rd Place: GColeman76 – Eataine Hawksbills (High Elf)
Special Awards
- Most Casualties: Captinconway – Cas incoming (Goblin)
- Most Touchdowns: El_Spoonio – Fatty Ratties (Skaven)
- Stunty Cup: Stratford – Strats RipGobby FunBus (Goblin)
- Best Painted Team: El_Spoonio – Fatty Ratties (Skaven)
The Skaven coach El_Spoonio deserves a special nod for walking away with both Best Painted and Most Touchdowns – clearly proving that style and scoring can go hand-in-hand.
All in all, Pitch Invaders continues to establish itself as a premier event on the UK Blood Bowl calendar. With exciting tweaks to the format and strong representation from across the border, this tournament was a memorable showcase of talent, creativity, and good old-fashioned gridiron glory.