Sheffield Sabres Match Report

Vastly outnumbered by 3 to 1 and facing a more experienced group would normally mean a loss for most teams but this didn’t describe the players but describes the coaching staff that faced off against the Hallam Warriors on Sunday 7th March 2010. The Sheffield Sabres marched into fortress Bawtry Rd hoping to knock a huge dent into the perfect season being enjoyed by Hallam. They turned up in all their finery right down to the matching underwear every inch the reigning division champions. Unfortunately reigns are like television licenses, only good for one year and this year was already year of the Warrior. Hallam had already clinched the division title and were going for an unprecedented clean sweep of 8-0. No team in Sheffield, not even the Sabres of old, have ever matched the feat and why? Because Hallam spoiled their run at perfection last year…oh dear never mind. The Sabres would not need any more incentive than this but they also faced the possibility of finishing 5th in the division if they slipped to another loss.

Hallam Kicked off and a short return to the Sabres 40 gave the cross town rivals good field position. From the first play Sabres ran at Hallam and finding a running lane full the running back cut back and found an over committed Hallam on the back foot. They ran the first play back 60 yards for a score. They got the extra point and went 7-0 up. The home crowd were stunned as this was not in the game plan. From the Sabres kick off Hallam gifted them a fumble inside their own half and some may have thought it was going to be a long day. If anyone was doubting it wasn’t the coaches who smiled and shook their heads. Coach Batty was heard to mutter ‘Its going to be a long day’. The Hallam defence went onto the field keen to make amends and the first play up saw Mathew Marsden lay the wood and recover the same fumble he had forced on the running back who this time didn’t get to spread his legs and show his class. What was needed was some calm ball control and Hallam began to move it down field off the back of Darren Gayle and Mike Whitson as well as a 20 yard pass from David Saul to Andrew Cheeseman. It would all come to nothing when the Sabres stopped them inside their territory but Hallam had calmed down the nerves they had. Sabres went three and out when Saul stopped a run at the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 4 and Sheffield had to punt. It was downed at midfield and Hallam ran to take advantage. However holding onto the ball is a requirement in this game and Hallam managed to fumble again this time Danny Williamson being the culprit. Hallam again forced Sheffield into going 3 and out and started the drive on their own 33 yard line. Showing faith in Williamson from his previous error paid dividends. He ran in from 55 yards running over a couple of unfortunate defenders in the process. Hallam failed on the extra point and trailed 7-6. The kick off saw Sheffield start at midfield. They managed to move the ball effectively despite four straight tackles from David Saul and when Luke Richards forced the ball loose with Mike Whitson recovering it on the Hallam 10 yard line to may have thought the luck was changing. However what fate gives with one hand he takes with the next. This time Mike Whitson coughing it up on the first play and a Sabres defender ran it in for a 13-6 lead. The extra point was missed and the first quarter ended.

Hallam now put rookie running back Danny Pyle into the game off the back of his 200 yard effort three days earlier. Following the Sabres kick off Pyle was handed the ball and began the drive down field aided by Danny Williamson. 54 yards later Pyle capped off the drive with a 20 yard run to paydirt. He then ran in the 2 point effort and Hallam took the lead 14-13. Sheffield were unable to move the ball on the next series and punted the ball. Hallam began on their 27 yard line and again handed the ball to Pyle who in conjunction with Saul moved the ball inside the Sabres 10 yard line leaving it to saul to skip in from the 3 yard line. Cheeseman made the extra point and Hallam led 21-13. Both sides exchanged possessions as the half drew to a close with Hallam on a narrow 21-13 lead.

Hallam had the first possession of the second half and put the ball into the hands of Pyle and Gayle who drove deep into the Sheffield half only to have a penalty force a punt when looking good for a return to the endzone. It was now the Hallam defence who got into its stride and managed to force the Sabres to punt again off the back of some good tackling from Martin Steele, Will Flinton and Jacob Muncey. The punt was downed at the Hallam 36 yard line. Hallam then proceeded to chew up yards and time on the longest drive of the day. Using over 8 minutes they drove down field on a 16 play effort finally going in from the goal line with Danny Pyle trotting in again. Another extra point saw Hallam lead by 28-13.

The fourth quarter saw the Sabres come out throwing but three plays into their drive they hit the wrong receiver and found Satnam Singh returning the errant pass for 20 yards and Hallam deep in Sheffield territory at the 36 yard line. Four plays later Danny Pyle again ran in this time from 20 yards and his third TD of the day. Another good extra point had Hallam leading 35-13. Both sides of the Hallam ball were now flying and the sabres found the Hallam defence in no mood for a rest as they turned the ball over on downs again deep in Sabres territory. It doesn’t take a genius to figure Hallams next moves as Gayle and Pyle ran the ball down the Sabres throats and Pyle again ran in for his fourth TD from 12 yards, capping off a fine display. Another extra point had Hallam leading 42-13 as the two minute warning sounded. Sheffield continued to try and move the ball through the air and started to find the Hallam defence getting complacent. This complacency resulting in a 30 yard pass into the endzone and a 2 point conversion that cut the deficit to 42-21. It was however too little too late and Hallam showed their joy at the final whistle.

Hallam had managed to go to 8-0. They had defeated their bitterest rivals in the most comprehensive manner and had dealt a final blow to the Sabres faint playoff hopes. Hallam on the day were too fast, to strong, to well drilled, executed better and deserving of their position atop the division. Hallam move on to the playoffs and have bragging rights for now over the oldest enemy.

The most notable stat on the day was Danny Pyle’s 28 carries 171 yards and 4 TD’s which is the best individual performance in a derby game and also a Hallam record for single game carries and TD’s.

Warrior Pride Warrior Power

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