By sjj_admin 
Originally published on GameOnAus.com in Apr 2023
ANZBL Split 1 2023 Round 3. It’s Happened. Check it out!
ANZBL Split 1 2023 Round 3 Game 1
Brisbane Bulldogs Vs Canberra Centurions
The Bulldogs were searching for the first ANZBL win but a tough obstacle was in their way. That obstacle? The 2nd placed Centurions.
Prokhorovka
The Centurions started on the attack of their map pick, running both sides of the train line. For their defence the Bulldogs committed to the east and the 2 flag. The Centurions sent Itz_Sonic down the 2 line, looking for the information. Shots were traded and it was the Bulldogs that had the slight advantage. The Centurions’ MirasYYY took heavy damage but was able to start the 1 flag cap. Auzzienoob for the Bulldogs was able to cross the train line unspotted and waited for an opportunity. Time was running out for the Bulldogs, forcing a push over the train line, just getting the reset. The brawl ensued but the cross had hurt the Bulldogs, allowing the Centurions to pick up the win.
Switching to the attack, the Bulldogs took hill control early. It was the Centurions that found the knowledge though and when their double IS-7s found the hill themselves, they punished the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs rotated Auzzienoob and took a 1v1 against Itz_Sonic. That was the go signal for the Bulldogs. They pushed in and started the all-out attack. The Centurions repelled that aggression and turned it on the Bulldogs. It came down to a 2v2 but the Centurions had the healthier tanks. That became a 2v1 in favour of the Centurions. With no way to attack the clock ran down to put the Centurions up 2-0.
Ghost Town
Needing two wins on their map pick, the Bulldogs opened on defence. They took western control with the Centurions running the 7 line. The Centurions set for entry from the southeast onto, looking to the 2 flag. They rolled in numbers and when they were spotted, they pushed onto the Bulldogs’ Fury. The Bulldogs rotated in and struck back, bringing the game to a 3v3. HP wasn’t with them though and the Centurions took the win.
Looking to salvage some pride, the Bulldogs looked to the 1 flag. The Centurions were able to spot them out early though, so they had to rethink. They were able to isolate the Bulldogs’ Slayer and remove him, but the Bulldogs made the most of their shots. Taking the 3v2 tank advantage, and with two untouched tanks, it was the Bulldog’s game. They closed the net around the Centurions to take the win.
The Canberra Centurions defeat the Brisbane Bulldogs 3-1.
ANZBL Split 1 2023 Round 3 Game 2
Hawthorn Hellcats Vs Auckland Archers
The Hellcats were riding high on top of the ladder. Meanwhile the Archers were coming off their first win in a long time. Would the Archers be able to upset the Hellcats?
Sand River
The Archers started on attack of their map pick and pushed hard for the 2 flag. They pushed in aggressively. But their aggression turned to recklessness as Forsaken when down early. DeadeyeDazNz went down next as the Archers took a 3v2 fight in their advantage. The Hellcats had the better focus fire though and were winning. When the rest of the Hellcats joined the fight it was all over for the Archers. The Hellcats took the win.
Moving to defence, the Archers took a standard defensive setup. The Hellcats were patient in their attack, scouting for a way in. They sent three tanks to the south east and were spotted, allowing the Archers to rotate towards the 1 flag. The Hellcats started the 1 flag cap and waited for the Archers to come in. Kiwi_Dynamite from the Hellcats found shots into the back of the Archers double Super Conquerors, distracting them from what’s going on with the 1 flag. The Archers pushed in, forcing the Hellcats off the cap but the Hellcats were the ones in control. They took the battles, going up 2-0.
Ruinberg
The Hellcats started on defence of their map pick. They had one tank watching the A line with the others around the 2 flag. The Archers spread for the 2 flag attack, looking for a way in. It wasn’t going to be easy as the Hellcats had very strong defensive positions. The rotate from the Archers came in, allowing the Hellcats to bleed them and leaving Road_Riot isolated. He went down as the rest of the Archers arrived, driving into a crossfire. Kills were traded but the match was firmly in the hands of the Hellcats. They took the win.
Moving to attack, the Hellcats pushed out to the 0 line. They got some good shots into the Archers but also took some damage in return. Pinned in place, the Hellcats at K8 pushed out and found the first kill, taking the tank advantage. The Hellcats went next and found more kills, taking the match and the game.
The Hawthorn Hellcats defeat the Auckland Archers 4-0.
ANZBL Split 1 2023 Round 3 Game 3
Bundaberg Badgers Vs Lismore Leopards
The Leopards were looking the goods this split, rising as a championship contender. Line up changes had seen the Badgers in a rough patch, but anything could happen!
Ruinberg
The Leopards opened on attack of their map pick. They opted for the less common 1 flag attack. Putting two tanks on the cap, the Leopards also isolated the Badgers’ Rupro and removed him. The Badgers round the resets, forcing the Leopards off the cap but also removed The_Gmaing_Lord. With that crossfire removed, the Leopards dumped onto two of the Badgers’ tanks, removing them. They cleaned up the last tank and took the win.
On the return leg, the Badgers found themselves in the open early, with SwiftWiffle taking a lot of damage. The Leopards punished the Badgers for their position at E8, pushing onto them. They made quick work of the Badgers to go up 2-0.
Ghost Town
Moving to their map pick, the Badgers went north on defence. The Leopards grouped in the south of the town and put two tanks on the 2 flag. With the clock ticking down the Badgers were desperate for the reset. They found it but the Leopards had bled them. The Leopards pushed onto the Badgers but they lost a tank in a crossfire. Finding themselves a tank up the Badgers held back and waited for the Leopards to come to them. And come they did. The Leopards’ focus fire was on display as the game was reduced to a 1v1. It was Dark for the Leopards that came out on top, giving his team the win.
The last match of the night started with all tanks meeting in the south of the town. Tankraft from the Badgers went down first as the Badgers put a lot of damage into Buff_Hamster. The Leopards found their way over to him as he went down, but they were firmly in control. They went next, found the kills and took the win.
The Lismore Leopards defeat the Bundaberg Badgers 4-0.
Fantasy League
This week’s Fantasy Team of the Week was stacked. Kiwi_Dynamite (337.5) and JimmyGroken ( 320.9) from the Hellcats topped the team and were joined by Ribbit (313.8) and Dark (299.2) from the Leopards. Scott_Hanaray (314.8) from the Centurions rounded out the Team of the Week.
Next Week
The penultimate round of Split 1 2023 opens with a battle for last place with the Badgers taking on the Bulldogs before moving to the Archers versing the Centurions. Then the Hellcats take on the Leopards in my pick for game of the week.
Tune in from 7pm AEST at https://twitch.tv/worldoftanksanz for more ANZBL action!