Staffs Match Report
Published: March 10, 2010
Expectations were high leading into the first week when the Warriors were set to face the Staffordshire Stallions. The Stallions are one of the Northern conferences power houses and have won 16 straight opening day fixtures. They were the British University American football league runners up two years ago and have a well established programme.
44 players kitted up for action on Sunday the 8th November at Staffordshire University campus in bright sunny conditions. An immaculate minutes silence was observed by both sides in remembrance to the millions of fallen soldiers that have died providing the freedom that the players enjoyed. A message reinforced by Coach Grizz in his pre game speech to the players.
The game kicked off with Staffordshire receiving the ball and managed to drive the ball down field whilst a nervous Hallam defense calmed down and settled in to the game ending the drive on their own 30 yard line. Field position was exchanged by a mixture of solid defense and unfortunate fumbles and the first quarter was brought to a close with the score at 0-0.
Early in the second quarter the Hallam offense settled down and began moving the ball with powerful runs. Danny Williams, the Hallam fullback capped off a dominant period by running the ball in 35 yards for the first score of the year, The two point conversion was successful leaving the score 8-0. Fumbles were exchanged by the teams on the next two drives before an excellent long drive was capped off by the Hallam Quarterback David Saul who ran in the second score on a 10 yard run, another successful 2 point conversion saw the warriors go 16-0 up. The Stallions were again held at bay on there response with Hallam linebacker Satnam Singh making some excellent tackles to deny Staffordshire. The half came with Hallam leading 16-0 and a warning to the players from the coaches that half a job is no job at all.
Hallam received the ball at the start of the second half and on the back of some excellent running from Hallam running back Mike Whitson, they drove the ball 68 yards culminating in David Saul getting his second touchdown on a 22 yard run, another 2 point conversion saw Hallam lead by 24-0. By now the Stallions were struggling to cope with the power running of Hallam and in particular the runs of Williams, Whitson and Saul.
The Warriors were given a wake up call on the next drive. They managed to commit key fouls in the centre of the field which saw Staffordshire move the ball within 5 yards of the goal line. They capitalised on some defensive indiscipline and completed a 5 yard pass for a touch down despite the efforts of Hallams Andrew Cheeseman in breaking up the pass. The 2 point conversion saw Hallams Danny Williams make up for his penalty when he forced the receiver to drop the ball mid air with a massive hit.
The two teams traded possession until some excellent defensive pressure saw a Staffordshire punt sail into the endzone where it was downed by the Staffordshire kicker for a 2 point safety in favour of Hallam. That rounded of the 3rd quarter with Hallam leading 26-6.
The fourth Quarter saw Hallam begin to take time off the clock with some effective ball control offence. The Hallam defense then really began to show its teeth in the game and dominate Staffordshire with Sat Singh, Matt Marsden, David Saul and Anthony Marsden making big plays behind an inexperienced but effective defensive line. With the ball on their own 40 Hallam then took 6 minutes off the clock by driving the ball the length of the field and scoring on a 5 yard Michael Wood run as time expired to leave the final score Hallam 32 Staffordshire 6, ending a 17 year streak of opening day victories and leaving the favoured Stallions to reflect on a dominant Hallam display.
Notable performances on the day were Mike Whitson with 108 yards rushing. Danny Williams 75 yards rushing with a touch down, David Saul 48 yards rushing, 7 tackles and 55 kick return yards and Satnam Singh, 7 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. hallam had a total of 273 rushing yards.
Hallam leaves Staffordshire with the first win of the season. They have a long way to go to reach the playoffs but it would seem that steps in the right direction have been made. They continue their move towards the title on Sunday 22nd November when they play York centurions at the Graham Solley sports ground on Bawtry Road.
Related posts:
- Manchester Tyrants Match Report
- Hull Sharks Match Report
- Celtics Match Report
- York Match Report
- Lancaster Bombers Match Report
Tagged with: Game, Match Report, Season
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