Falcons Playoff Bid Falters at Surrey
Falcons Playoff Bid Falters at Surrey Hertfordshire dominates Essex |
Kent’s hopes of a first appearance in the playoffs took a blow at Surrey with a narrow loss this weekend.
The match began with a strong battle for field position with many turnovers in the first quarter from both teams. The Falcons struck first on a 20 yard Pass from QB Bill Hogan to WR Mike Whitby to give them a 6-0 half time lead. The Stingers took revenge on the 1st play of the second half with HB Dave Tobin going 70 yards for a score. A Safety and later a TD from Falcons HB Lecken Lawal gave the Falcons the lead again at 14-6 but 2 more TD runs from Tobin in the 4th sealed it for the Stingers.
LEEDS TIE UP EASTERN DIVISION
Lancaster Bombers 6 Leeds Celtics 41
Leeds Celtics claimed the Northern Conference Eastern Division title after a resounding victory over divisional rivals Lancaster.
The Bombers finally crashed out of playoff contention as Leeds’ speed on D and the efficiency of their offence proved too much for a depleted Lancaster side. The Celtics came out firing on all cylinders but after a 42 yard run from their tailback and with six points looking inevitable on the Lancaster 7 yard line, Bombers CB Gil David grabbed an interception in the endzone to get the ball back for the home team. The Lancaster offence stuttered though and were forced to punt, and Leeds capitalised on their next possession as WR Tom Lockard broke several tackles on a 45 yard TD reception. Leeds got the ball back and once again made Lancaster pay as their running back rolled in from 5 yards out, with the extra point again successful to make the score 14-0. The Bombers started the second quarter brightly with two huge sacks from DE Boy de Waart on the harried Leeds QB, but Lancaster’s next drive was quickly ended and Leeds QB Ku was then able to hit WR Lockard for his second TD reception of the day from 25 yards out. Things got worse for Lancaster as the Leeds running back hit the endzone from four yards on their next drive putting the score at a daunting 28-0. However the Bombers refused to give up and mounted a strong drive upfield with Lancaster QB Mayne completing passes to WR David and RB Hailwood, with Hailwood finally sprinting round the outside of a flatfooted Leeds D for a 3 yard TD rush making it 28-6 at halftime. The Bombers offence found it hard going in the third despite two great catches including a superb one-handed grab from TE Andy Doran, and were forced to punt once again. With Lancaster putting several rookies in on D the Celtics moved the ball more successfully and hit the endzone again after a 20 yard rush from their tailback. Into the fourth and rookie Lancaster CB Billy Adam grabbed his first ever interception giving the Bombers chance to gain good field position, but they were once again denied and the Celtics hit the endzone once again after a 28 yard TD catch, but the extra point was sliced wide to make the final score 41-6.
KILLER BEES STING THE BLITZ
Plymouth Blitz 7 Bath Killer Bees 26
Two games and two losses into the season, many had written off Bath as playoff contenders but following another victory this past week, they are now one of a number of Southern Conference teams that can finish the regular season with a 6-2 record.
The first half belonged to Plymouth, who ran the ball well through running backs Nick Woods and Chris Renshaw. The Bath offence tried to respond in the air and on the ground, but they could not put points on the board, coming closest with a field goal attempt, which bounced out off the crossbar. Plymouth were rewarded for their dominance with a 17 yard touchdown run by QB Greg Pigott in the second quarter. The PAT was good. This was the only score of the first half. The second half was a different story as Bath came out a new side. The Bees took to the air and outstanding contributions were made by wide-outs Steve Leonard and Nick Farnell-Watson. Bath took the lead in the third quarter when a good drive brought them to the Plymouth red zone, and Bees QB Ben Salisbury scrambled in from 16 yards for the TD. The 2 point conversion was good. Plymouth were held on their next drive by a rejuvenated Bath defence and the Bees struck again with a 7 yard receiving touchdown for wide-out Mark Dallamore. The fourth quarter continued in the same manner as the third. Despite a spirited fight from the Plymouth team, their offence could not break down the Bees as they had in the first half. Bath put the game beyond doubt in the fourth with 5 and 9 yard rushing touchdowns for running backs Stuart Miller and Henry Murray respectively
RESILIANT SABRES NO MATCH FOR ACES
Loughborough Aces 43 Sheffield Sabres 6
Loughborough recorded only their third win of a difficult season over a gutsy Sheffield team.
Loughborough controlled the game well, the defence keeping Sheffield pinned inside their own 30 yard line for most of the first half and the offence moving the ball for two rushing touchdowns from GB Bulldogs RB Mattar M’Boge. However the Aces seemed to take their foot off the gas in the second quarter and looked sloppy at times. Sheffield worked hard with a small squad of players, most of whom played both ways and deserve massive credit for their effort, but just couldn’t get the better of the strong Aces D. The second half started with a bang, a fumble on the opening Kickoff return allowed Sheffield to return the ball for a touchdown.
However then the Aces turned on the power and brought their A game and for the majority of the second half looked unstoppable putting in 3 touchdowns in the 3rd Quarter from QB Andy Studer and M’Boge. The Aces D too was on top form and Cornerback Greg Williams returned an interception right into the red zone. The fourth quarter heralded much of the same, with Loughborough running riot against a fast tiring Sheffield side. Rookie Running backs Craig Flower and Karl Blackmore putting in Two more TD’s and James Trinder converting a PAT Kick. Again massive plaudits to Sheffield who fought to the end with a lot of heart, and credit to the inexperienced Aces team whose second half performance was much more in line with what one has come to expect from a Loughborough side.
HERTS CLINCH 5TH DIVISIONAL TITLE
Hertfordshire Hurricanes 41 Essex Blades 0
The Hurricanes breezed past the Blades to secure yet another Southern Conference Eastern Division title and keep themselves in strong contention for the top seed position in the South.
Veteran WR Rob Kelly opened the scoring for Herts with a 37-yard reception off of experienced QB Junior Price. And it was Kelly’s boot that added the PAT. Kelly continued his new-found form in the first quarter with another reception from QB Price, this time for 14 yards. The second quarter began as the first had ended. With Herts utilising the talents of their QB, Price found WR Nick Piper wide open, and he duly ran it in from 39 yards. The Blades Defense began to pick their game up and stopped Herts from scoring any more in the second quarter. The end of the first half saw Herts leading by 19 points to nil.
In the third quarter Herts continued the scoring, this time with RB Andy Cochrane running the ball in from 10 yards out. The PAT kick from Rob Kelly was successful. The Herts D managed to get on the score sheet twice in the third quarter. First came an interception by Linebacker Justin Watkins, great pass coverage on the left flank enabled him to pick the pass and run it in from 25 yards out. The next series saw DE Andy Villier force a safety, sacking the Blades QB in the end-zone. Despite the score line Essex did not give up the fight. Their defense continued to play tough but they couldn’t stop Andy Cochrane’s power running as he scored from 6 yards out. Rob Kelly’s PAT kick was once again successful giving him a total of 15 points for the day
CLANSMEN TAME THE TIGERS – AGAIN!
Stirling Clansmen 34 Glasgow Tigers 10
Stirling’s great season continues with a resounding 3-0 completion of the ‘Battle Of Scotland’ series following a comprehensive victory over Glasgow.
From the outset it was going to be physical but it would be Stirling who would strike first. With a kick-off return by Jeff Bryan putting the Clansmen in prime field position, precise blocking from the offensive line led to a rushing touchdown by Jon Sutherland. The multi-dimensional offence continued its mastery throughout the first half and the 80 yard touchdown pass from Gary McNey to Carlos Yanes-Roca cemented a dominating lead at half time. The second half saw more of the same with James Thompson engineering a ground attack which resulted in another Sutherland touchdown run and a resounding 34-10 victory. The defence played its part throughout the game with the run continually being stuffed and hard hitting most notably Jamie Mccansh. This team effort now sees the Clansmen in the playoffs for consecutive years for the first time in their history.
CAVS TAKE TOP SPOT IN CENTRAL DIVISION
Warwick Wolves 12 Oxford Cavaliers 20
After the first Oxford drive ended at the 40 yard line, punter Johnny Round punted to give the ball to Warwick on their 5 yard line. Cavalier rookie DT Charlie Rand broke through the line to sack the Warwick QB in the end zone, recording the safety and making the score 2 – 0.
The second quarter continued much the same as the first and the Oxford defence made the next big play when FS Dave Powell caught his first of two interceptions on the day, giving the ball back to offence. Oxford managed to capitalize on the turnover, rapidly moving up the field and the drive ended with HB Kingsley Ejiogu running the ball in behind good blocking from FB Hafeez Lawal and the o-line to give Oxford the lead 8 – 0. DB Paul Brown was the next to pick off a stray Warwick pass and 3 plays later QB Charlie Greenbacker found TE John Barclay in the end zone to put the Cavaliers up 14 – 0 at the half.
In the third quarter Warwick came out fighting in this their last game of the season and their work finally paid off when wideout Danny Pass scored his first TD of the season. Warwick then caught the Oxford D napping and scored again, this time to Arpy Vezer. DE Rob Padgett picked off the 2-point conversion attempt.
The Oxford D stepped it up in the fourth with another pick by Powell and Rand pushing the Wolves back 10 yards with his second sack of the day. The Oxford offence then followed the defence’s example and Ejiogu was awarded his second score of the day after a strong drive. The game ended 20 – 12, with the Cavaliers going on to play Bristol the following week in a replay of last season’s conference semi-final.
SHARKS MAKE BID FOR PLAYOFFS
UT Cougars 0 UCH Sharks 20
A cold day in Darlington hosted the annual clash between longtime rivals the Hull Sharks and the Teeside Cougars.
Both sides went 3 and out in their first processions neither side wanting to make the first crucial mistake. On their next procession however the Sharks surged forward deep into the Cougars red-zone. The visitors thought they were ahead when QB Marc Gent connected with TE Jason Hague, however the play was ruled out because of an inadvertent whistle. Unfazed Gent scored on the very next play this time finding veteran wide-out Victor Choi for the six.
Teeside tried to get into the game but were dismayed when Hull LB Kevin Marshall picked off a wayward pass by Cougars QB Pete Rogers. The first half carried on in this way with the Sharks O looking strong despite not scoring whereas the Cougars were kept at bay thanks to some clever pass coverage.
The deadlock seemed like carrying on after the break until midway through the 3rd quarter when Sharks RB Robert Avery broke a tackle and scampered more than 50 yards for a dramatic TD. The Sharks lead was further increased with a Tom Lim conversion run.
Teeside refused to play dead and fought back with the rushing of veteran Richard Marshall. Late in the 4th the Cougars managed to march down to the Sharks 8 but failed to score. The Sharks went 3 and out and Teeside looked threatening. However an amazing 70 yard punt by Gareth Wild not only got the Sharks out of trouble but also pinned Teeside in their own red zone.
This position allowed Hull FB Richard Cochrane to power home another 6 to put the game out of the Cougars reach.
Teeside travel to Leeds next week knowing only a win will keep their slim playoff hopes alive, the Sharks on the other hand have completed their season and must wait on other results to see where their post season destiny lies.
BULLETS PLAYOFF HOPES DASHED BY STAGS
Southampton Stags 27 Bristol Bullets 6
With this game being a potential playoff decider both teams needed a win to keep their hope alive. Bristol received the kick and went to work straight away driving down field. On what seemed a turnover by the Stags on 4th down turned into first down for the Bullets as a roughing the passer penalty was called. The Bullets took advantage and scored on a run by star rusher Kenny Saro.
While the Stags first drive stalled a future possession saw strong running from Dauley and Miller. With Miller getting the td on a four yard run. After the kickoff the Bullets fumbled near the Stags goal line. Miller again took the TD and then the 2pt conversion.
The Stags defence then made the play that swung the game in the home sides favour. A fumble was scooped up by safety Nick Morrison Smith who proceeded to follow his blockers for a seventy yard touchdown.
No further scoring was seen until the 4th Quarter, when Ted Baynum threw a 37 yard touch down pass to Paul Brady. Despite drives by Bristol a Stags defence led by Owen Thomas and ' QT' Yelen prevented any further scoring. The Stags O-line helped by helping their offence to eat up time on the clock. The game ended with a drive by Bristol failing to reach the Stags endzone.
18 Feb, 03 | 5:54 pm