BYAFA Youth Flag, Week One results
Phil Wade
Fen Harriers got off to the best of all starts to the new season when
Sam Gomersall raced in from 70 yards out on the first play of the game
to give the Cambridge based outfit a 6 - 0 lead which they held until
the end of the first quarter. The Pathfinders boosted this season by
members of the Olympians squad rallied in the second quarter with 20
unanswered points. Touchdown strikes by Luke Smith to Dwaine Clarke
for a 32 yard score, Marvin Allen for a 33-yard touchdown and a Brett
Rosenbaum 10-yard run, with Andy Dawkins adding an extra two left the
Pathfinders in control 20 -6 at the half.
The third period saw the Pathfinders continue to overwhelm a game, but
largely inexperienced Harrier side. Allen added to his tally pulling
in a 35-yard TD pass and hauled in the 2 point after attempt also.
Rosenbaum, faking a punt ran 40 yards to pay dirt with Darren Gregory
snaring the extra two as the Milton Keynes side cruised to a
comfortable 36 - 6 lead at the end of the third. Harriers never say
die spirit saw then limit the Pathfinders to a solitary fourth quarter
touchdown scored again by Allen who grabbed a 28 yard TD strike.
Hull Rockets 14 v Steel City Warriors 18
Hull announced to the league that they were not going to be the
pushovers they were last year with a gritty display that almost took
them to victory. Steel City opened the scoring in the first quarter
when running back Robert Mayland swept in from 13 yards out with the
extra point attempt being unsuccessful. Wideout Dean Henderson
levelled the scores in the second pulling in a 20 yard pass before
Michael Fudge held onto a Cliff Fawcett pass from 35 yards to restore
the Sheffield side's lead and leave them with a 12-6 advantage at the
half.
The third period remained scoreless as the defenses gained dominance,
but a Dean Henderson interception taken back from the Steel City 3
tied the scores. John Turnbull's extra two points edged the Rockets
into the lead. As the game wound down to the final two minutes Andrew
Learad held onto a 30 yard Fawcett pass to give the Warriors victory
in an exciting and good spirited game.
Brighton B52's 12 v UCLA Renegades 19
Nine months ago these teams fought themselves to a standstill in the
best ever flag game.
Once again there was nothing in it, with both sides battling for every
inch and although the game remained scoreless at the half both sides
had their opportunities stifled by resolute defense.
The B52's were first on the score sheet in the third when Ben Clarke
swept right and then cut back left to outpace the UCLA defense from
62yards. A long UCLA drive tied the scores when Aaron Jones nipped in
from the one with Adam Reagan notching what was to prove to be a vital
extra one to leave UCLA with a slender 7 - 6 lead at the end of the
third period.
Another time consuming UCLA march down the field led to Gordon
Muddiman darting over from the one to extend the lead with time
running down.
Max Murray launched a bomb down the left hand side where Dan Longhurst
out jumped the coverage, cut inside and scampered into the end zone to
bring the deficit back to one. After a consultation with the referees
UCLA needed one first down to be able to run out the clock. An
attempted reverse to Adam Reagan saw a loss of about ten yards but
from the next play Jones broke off right tackle, cut inside, sprinted
across the field and finally found the end zone with 28 seconds left
to end another remarkable match between these two sides.
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(posted by Phil Wade)