ACES HIGH FOR THIRD UK CHAMPIONSHIP

Four touchdowns by game MVP tailback Leon Cordingley gave the Aces their third College Bowl in 8 years at Leicester's Saffron Lane Stadium on Sunday. But it was the Cavaliers in this championship rematch who opened stronger and looked to dominate in the opening quarter. A deep kick-off by Cavaliers' Michael Bird and fast downfield coverage stopped the return by Patrick Scwheyen dead on the Ace's 13-yard line. Two Aces penalties later, a punt gave the Cavaliers possession on the 33 yard line. An opening 11-yard run by Kingsley Ejiogh and an 18-yard connection from Seth Bodnar to tight end John Barclay set up a 2-yard scamper round right end by Ejiogh, converted by a Barclay catch, for an 8-0 lead after only 5 minutes of play. An exchange of punts then offered the Aces their first scoring opportunity. Starting on the Oxford 33, two runs by Schweyen and a threatening run by Cordingley which almost broke the secondary set up an Andy Studer 22-yard touchdown catch. A Cordingley run over left end blasted the ball home for the conversion and the teams were level at 8 - 8.

The Aces were now well into their game, led by safety and leading tackler Jay Cordingley and repeatedly holding the Cavaliers deep in their own half. But the Cavaliers finally broke through as an exciting 71-yard chase as tailback Ijiogh was hauled down on the Loughborough 6-yard line by corner Gareth David. Two plays later running back Matt Moorcroft ran straight over center for a 3-yard touchdown and an Oxford lead.

They say that anything can happen in football and usually does. From the kick, returned by Schweyen for 37 yards to the Oxford 35-yard line, Ollie Jay mastered the Aces reply. A run by Cordingley and three runs by Schweyen set up an 8-yard Cordingley run for the end zone. But just before he crossed the line, a solid connection by defensive lineman Jeremy Jussel popped the ball out. As it bounced over the line, defender Andy Kenworthy rolled across the ball, but could not get control. Loughborough wideout Mark Terry dived under the pile and recovered for an Aces touchdown and a 14-14 score. Then after a series of punt exchanges in midfield, the Aces again threatened. Two probing passes to right field from Jay to tight end David Jalland for 24 and 20 yards took the ball to the Oxford 15-yard line. But third time around, corner Michael Bird was waiting, and picked the ball out of Jalland's hands for a 43-yard return to the Loughborough 48. Two probing passes from Bodnar to Barclay and Jussel and the Aces, from a solid scoring position, found themselves defending an 8-and-goal with 27 seconds to the break. But as Bodnar rolled right to target Barclay, corner Adam Atkins stepped up to save the day and the teams went to the break at 14-14.

The Cavaliers opened the third quarter as they had the first. Two first downs set up a 51-yard touchdown connection from Bodnar to Barclay, converted by a Barclay catch. But from then on, the Aces began to dominate, and tailback Leon Cordingley, after a solid first half at 9 carries for 50 yards, exploded with a game-breaking series and 110 second half rushing yards. After returning the Oxford kick-off for 29 yards, Cordingley added another 35 for a touchdown. And after a punt on Oxford's next series, a 25-yard catch by tight end Steve Gatenby and a 36-yard run off left guard by Schweyen set up Cordingley's second, a 3-yard blast over left tackle.

Half time defensive adjustments called by the Aces head coach Andy Sweeney were by now repeatedly forcing the Cavaliers to pass in tight situations. After an Oxford punt, Jay targetted wideout Mark Terry for a 29-yard gain, and runs by Cordingley of 7 and 39 yards set up his third of the day, barrelling in over left tackle for a 1-yard touchdown. After an exchange of punts, Oxford found themselves backed up on their own 6-yard line. An 8-yard run by Matt Moorcroft offered some room, but an incomplete pass and a sack by defensive tackle Jay Blundell put the ball back on the 2-yard line. A 4th and 14 incompletion by Bodnar turned the ball over on downs from where Cordingley rolled round left guard for his fourth of the day, converted by kicker Andy Studer, and a final score of 22-39.

Coach of the Year Andy Sweeney was overjoyed. "We were slow out of the blocks defensively in the first quarter. We made some defensive adjustments at half time, with more eight man fronts. That gave us good field position, and then things started to happen. Leon and Patrick got going in the backfield behind a great offensive line, and our passing game was good today. It was a terrific performance by both teams. The Aces made it fun to coach and I'm proud of everyone on and off the field."

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS.
RUSHING: Oxford: K. Ejiogh 18-150-1td. H. Lawal 15-38-0, M. Moorcroft 8-31-1td. D. Shelbyono 2-12-0. Loughborough: L. Cordingley 21-160-4td. P. Schweyen 16-89-0. O. Jay 2-7-0.
PASSING: Oxford: S. Bodnar 6-17-126-1td. Loughborough: O. Jay 8-16-141-1td.
RECEIVING: Oxford: J. Barclay 4-94-1td. W. Moore 1-23-0. L. Sikkema 1-9-0. Loughborough: D. Jalland 3-50-0. M. Terry 2-37-0. S. Gatenby 1-25-0. A. Studer 1-22-1td. L. Cordingley 1-7-0.
LEADING TACKLERS: Oxford: W. Moore 7 tackles, 1 asst. J. Jussel 6 tackles 2 asst. K. Dunlap 5 tackles 2 asst. R. Quarco 5 tackles 2 asst. Loughborough: J. Cordingley 10 tackles 1 asst. R. Bradley 6 tackles 2 asst. S. Gatenby 5 tackles 2 asst. P. Cantwell 4 tackles 2 asst.
INTERCEPTIONS: Oxford: M. Bird 1-43. Loughborough: A. Atkins 1-13. P. Sewell 1-0.
TEAM STATISTICS: Oxford: Total first downs 14. Total net yards 350. Rushing 231, passing 119. Loughborough: Total first downs 18. Total net yards 383. Rushing 256, passing 127.