In one of our
qualification matches our radio-crio cable came loose when we hit the moat, to cross it for the breach. We died in the worse possible place. Our alliance partner, 1418 attempted to push us over the moat, but we didn't quite make it. They backed off and opened the sally port door for 4538 to drive through, but at that point 4538 was dead also. We told 1418 to do whatever it took to get us out of the way and get the breach. They pushed us over the moat, but our bumper still didn't clear the ramp. They then drove up over the moat, over our bot, and headed for the batter. Unfortunately, doing so dislodged their bumper. (Ripped the wood screws clean out) They managed to actually make it onto the batter before being disabled. At that point, their bot coasted back off the batter, and we lost 47 to 50, rather than winning 52 to 50.
The two lost ranking points did not effect us, as we still ended up as first seed captain. But, they made a huge difference to 1418 (who lost two points, ranking 11, with 21 points) and 623 (on the red alliance, who gained two points, ranking 4, with 27 points). If it had gone the other way, the 4 point swing would have put dropped 623 from 4th to 7th, and 1418 would have moved from 11th to 8th seed.
Such are the fortunes of battle, in this game of Stronghold, where the smallest factors may swing entire outcomes. As it was, 1418 was our first pick, and our alliance (including 2421) went on to win the event.