BCAFL Update Conference Finals
BCAFL Update Conference Finals
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HERTFORDSHIRE HURRICANES 49 SOUTHAMPTON STAGS 18
The Stags were the only team to beat the Hurricanes in the regular season, and have done so the past 3 seasons, so this was a grudge match. Herts received the kick-off and immediately marched downfield, scoring on their first drive with Andy Cochrane running it in from 7 yds. With the Hurricanes Defence in fine form after last week's display against Birmingham, the Stags were forced to give-up possession on downs, allowing QB Junior Price to instigate another Herts TD with Cochrane running it in from 2 yds. Cochrane also ran in the 2-point conversion. Again Herts D held strong, allowing their O to receive the ball and score once more, with Cochrane running in from 6 yds, and scoring the 2-point conversion. Southampton's Offence then began to fight back, running the ball well and into the red-zone, with QB Baynham throwing a short pass to score. Herts answered immediately, marching the ball downfield, this time QB Junior Price ran it in from 2yds. The extra point from Kelly's boot was successful. At the end of the half the score was 29-6 to Herts.
The Hurricanes weren't about to let up. Junior Price marshalled the Herts deadly running game, and it was Andy Cochrane who scored his 4th of the day from 3 yards out after a 90-yard drive from the Offence. Again the Stags fought back and began to find their rhythm, until DT Ryne Miller forced a fumble, recovered, and ran for 50 yards downfield scoring a defensive touchdown. Once again the trusty boot of Rob Kelly added the extra point. But the Stags didn't give up the fight and scored with HB Dauley running it in.
The 4th quarter saw Herts O continue their fine form, this time executing the plays perfectly to allow HB Banks to run in from 15 yards, the extra point kicked by Kelly. Southampton came back at that with one final score, with QB Baynham throwing another short pass into the end zone. The rest of the 4th quarter saw both teams D hold strong, with Herts Offence running the clock down to finish the game victorious, winning 49-18.
Northern Conference Final
STIRLING CLANSMEN 20 STAFFORDSHIRE STALLIONS 15
With the shock defeat of Leeds under their belts, Staffordshire travelled up to Stirling, their confidence high, and a place in College Bowl XVII up for grabs.
Stirling opened the scoring with a TD pass form QB Gary McNey to WR Carlos Yanes-Roca, but were unable to capitalise, as the 2pt conversion attempt was stopper short. Staffs retaliated, with strong blocking form the O-Line and good vision from Ziad Chouer leading to a TD. The extra point attempt was successful and the Stallions took the lead. Several times during the second quarter the Clansmen threatened the end zone but Staffs held firm. The breakthrough came after a key interception by Jeff Bryan. McNey followed up with a QB sneak and the 2pt conversion was completed with an outstanding catch from Johnny Bannerman. The Clan ended the half with a narrow lead.
A scoreless third quarter saw Staffs executing their power running game and this paid off on the fourth, Chris Ellis scoring the TD and running in the 2pt conversion. The score stood at 15-14 and the pressure was on Stirling and replacement QB James Thompson. Their hard work and determination was rewarded late in the 4th, the groundwork laid down by Jon Sutherland and Thompson resulting in a TD pass caught by Yanes-Roca. With the score at 20-15, Stallions' QB Brett Rosenbaum saw the opportunity to win the game in the dying seconds, but the ball was lost on a passing play. Johnny Chilton recovered the ball and Stirling booked a place in the College Bowl for the first time in their history.
18 Mar, 03 | 4:20 pm