18th April 2004

BSL Division Two

Sabres 0-55 Kent Exiles AFC

The Kent Exiles moved to 2-0 on the season, and in doing so posted their biggest ever points total in a match.

The game versus their old rivals the Sabres started with both teams paying their respects to Mickey Thompson the Gateshead Senator player who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident last week.

The Exiles then kicked off to the Sabres and set the tone for the rest of the match, holding the Sabres offence to minimum yardage before forcing them to punt. The Exiles Offence then took over and marched straight downfield in a five play drive which ended with Stewart Muir's 1 yard run for the touchdown, Muir was to once again pass 100 yards rushing on the day, Gary Ead hit the extra
point and the Exiles led 7-0.

The Exiles soon had the ball back, and another good drive finished with former Great Britain youth international Grahame Warby scoring his first senior touchdown on a 13 yard pass from Matt Duncan, this time the extra point was missed, and the Exiles led 13-0. It was to be the first of five touchdowns for Duncan on the day, earning himself MVP honours with a QB rating of 105.73, as well as setting a new club record for touchdown passes in a game with five.

More of the same was to follow for the remainder of the first half, Stewart Muir found the endzone again, this time from 5 yards out, Gary Ead converted the extra point, and then late in the quarter Roy Hall grabbed the first of his three touchdowns on a 65 yard pass from Duncan to give the Exiles a 26-0 lead at the half.

The Exiles took the ball first in the second half, and their opening drive was to be all about Roy Hall, first the speedy wideout took the kick-off back 40 yards well into the Sabres half, before finding himself on the end of a 30 yard reception from Duncan which he took all the way for the touchdown, Hall finished the day with 122 yards receiving, and was just short of 200 all purpose yards, as well as his three TD's of course. Duncan found Martin Jefkins with the two point conversion, and the score was now 34-0.

The Sabres next drive ended when Carl Alexis sacked their Quarterback forcing the punt, and the Exiles took over once again. A balanced drive with Muir and Alan Hands running well, and Graham Deacon and Kris Maciolek making receptions ended when Alex Campbell caught Duncan's fourth TD of the day from 2 yards out, Ead made the point after and it was now 41-0.

By now the Sabres iron man football was starting to take it's toll, and the Exiles were controlling both sides of the ball despite mixing in many of their rookies and less experienced players. The fourth quarter saw the Exiles round out the record first when Duncan found Hall again, this time from 16 yards out, and then Martin Jefkins ran in from 15 yards out. Ead hit both extra points and 55-0 was the final score.

"I'm proud of the team this week", commented Exiles Head Coach Phil Wood, "we eliminated the penalties and sloppiness which plagued us versus the Spartans last week, and several guys stepped up and played well. We also showed that we have some strength in depth, which should allow us to stay fresh as the season progresses".

"My pencil has worn right down" commented Statistician Simon Clarke "I've never had to write so many stats!"

Exiles MVP's on the day were Duncan on Offence for his stellar performance, Mark Vickers took the defensive gong after leading the team with 14 tackles, and rookie Patrick Hearn took special teams honours after recording 3 tackles.