HEADLINES
- DiS Haxball season kicks off
- Reds and Blues ignite fierce rivalry
- Gossip/transfer news
- Team of the week named

AS Haxmania sweeps Drowned in Sound, an increasing number of posters are turning to the football-based online game to fill the moonlit void they call their leisure time.

Popularity reached a new peak on Sunday evening, when reports came through that the 10-player room limit was forcing some eager DiSers to miss out on the 'haxion' while waiting for other players to leave. The Hax understands that the room limit may be raised to 12 this evening, following a quick poll of whoever's around when automatik feels like it.

THERE was no love lost between the already fiercely loyal devotees of the Blue and Red teams this weekend. hofo's Red team romped to several impressive victories over the blue of automatik early Sunday evening, prompting some spectators to suggest that 'blues suck'. Operating with hofo up front, and Shrewbie showing considerable defensive nous in a sweeper role, the Red team soon found a pace and rhythm capable of punishing the Blues' leaky defence. Perhaps the most impressive debut of the week, though, came from recent Red signing Bamnan, who quickly found his feet in front of goal to slot home upwards of 'a lot of' goals.

Talk of Red dominance was quelled (if not doused entirely) later that evening, with the arrival of several key players to strengthen automatik's beleaguered Blue side. Significantly, Duck returned to the fray following a lag injury, and immediately set about helping himself to several hat-tricks, rekindling his partnership with attacking midfielder automatik. Pip joined the team at centre back and immediately impressed, while Trumpet also found form in time for a series of late kick-offs against a weakened Red side. Missing star players hofo and Bamnan, a joeydubya-led side were quickly overwhelmed by the new-found Blue confidence, and a number of close results late on was not enough to save the Reds from an overall defeat.

MEANWHILE, Red ace Bamnan has stirred up controversy with his off the field antics, reportedly inspiring the ire of his captain, hofo. Repeatedly found typing during open play, the playmaker stirred up team rivalry by admitting he 'can't believe how much [he] hates the Blues'. Reports of in-fighting also circulated after Bam had earlier described team-mate skelly as 'crap'. No Red player was available for comment at the time.

IN transfer news, after a dalliance with the Reds which threw fans into a panic, Duck has finally pledged his future to the Blues. 'My partnership with automatik is like Yorke/Cole in '99,' he said, after the midfielder had said it a bit earlier. Captain automatik is currently in contract talks with Pip, who has showed some interest in a move across the screen.

FINALLY, the inaugural team of the week for 10-16 Jan has been announced:
1. shrewbie
2. Bamnan
3. hofo
4. Duck

Happy haxing!