- American State Quidditch Match - Wisconsin vs California -

Finally, this month saw the match that we've all been waiting for - the head to head between the two teams tied at the top of the league; Wisconsin and California. There was immense pressure on both teams, as a win for either side here would put them three points clear at the top of the league. But the players not only faced pressure from this angle, but also from the fact that famous scout Scott Owen was in the crowd to spot any potential new recruits for the American National Quidditch Squad. After a tense 136 minutes of play, Wisconsin clinched the win 410-220.

The game got off to a flying start, and the strength of both sides seemed pretty matched. California Chaser Leona Ronson scored the first goal after a magnificent set up by fellow chasers Lewis Ryder and Cody Miles. It was an excellent shot which Wisconsin Keeper Miles Edwards simply could not get to, despite his very best efforts. The opposition Chasers Allie Hart, Marc Whinney and Will Alden also played a cracking game; their teamwork was faultless and they flew about the pitch confidently and enthusiastically, always in the right place at the right time. Hart in particular had only been back for a few weeks after her fateful injury in the game against Alaska, yet you would never have been able to tell by the way she played; her flying was excellent and she was constantly dipping and dodging all around the pitch. She also ended up winning top goalscorer of the game, scoring a total of 11 goals out of her side's 26.

Although he conceded more goals than his opposition, Californian Keeper Aaron Montgomery played fantastically. Despite this being his first season playing for a professional side, he has really managed to find his feet and consistently plays to an exceptional standard; never hesitating to go for any ball, even if it seems impossible to reach in time. Wisconsin Keeper Miles Edwards also played a really good game; making all the right saves and encouraging his team along.

Both teams' beaters were tremendous as well, although the Californian duo Sophie Tamzin and Samuel Jupp perhaps just had the edge over their opponents Alice Spindle and Isaac Finch. Tamzin and Jupp had the offensive for most of the game and, whilst they displayed some excellent defensive skills, Spindle and Finch never really managed to get the offensive back off Tamzin and Finch.

The only two players who we didn't see much of this match were the two Seekers; Wisconsin's Aimee Taylor and California's Edmund Mere. They fought a battle between them up in the air and only ever really flew down if they thought they saw the snitch, or as an attempt to divert the other. Taylor, however, came out triumphant, grinning as she held the snitch up high after a particularly spectacular roll to catch it, winning Wisconsin the game and placing her team at the top of the leaderboard.

However, as you know, there was more to this game than just the result. American Nation Quidditch Squad Scout Scott Owen spoke to us after the match to tell us what he thought, and whether he'd be recruiting any of the players out there.

"It was an excellent game; a thriller to watch," he told us. "Every single player out there gave it their best, and that is when you know that you're watching a great game of Quidditch. There were some truly exceptional players out there tonight, two of which I have approached to ask whether they would like a position on our national team; Wisconsin Chaser Allie Hart and California Keeper Aaron Montgomery. I am delighted to announce that they have both accepted the position, and will start training with us within the next week or so."