23rd May 2004

BSL Division Two

Essex Spartans 9-21 Sussex Thunder

Three touchdowns from Andy Smythe, taking his season tally to fifteen, helped the Sussex Thunder to a record of 5-0 ensuring that they will at least match last season’s mark of 5-5. In a closely fought divisional game that hung in the balance until late in the 4^th quarter, the Thunder survived four turnovers and a poor first half display to take the victory and stay on top of the BSL Division II South-Eastern Conference. 

Essex led 9-7 at halftime, however they were forced to rely on the boot of kicker Garth Evans who was true on three field goal attempts. The third of which, a booming 46-yard attempt, put the Spartans up by 2 inside the final minute of the half. In between times, Sussex did not produce a first down until the 2^nd quarter, whilst turning the ball over three times. However, the Thunder defense were up to the challenge and turned the Spartans away whenever the redzone was threatened, claiming two interceptions of their own (from Dayle Kirby and Rich Lawrence) and repeatedly limiting the Spartans to three points instead of six. The Thunder finally managed to piece a drive together midway through the 2^nd quarter, with Andy Smythe claiming his first score from 3 yards out and a 7-6 lead. 

A dismal first half display from the Thunder was immediately erased by J-P Flanagan’s 50-yard return of the 2^nd half kickoff deep into Essex territory. An 11-yard completion from Will Graystone to Paul Robinson moved the chains and on the next play Smythe broke free and raced in from 25 yards for his second score and a 14-9 lead for the Thunder. However, Sussex’s next possession would end with an interception giving the Spartans great field position. The Thunder defense answered right back and a huge sack from Simon Ritchie took the Spartans out of fieldgoal range forcing them to punt. 

Sussex took hold of the game in the final period by keeping the ball for 13 of the 15 minutes in the 4^th quarter with two huge time-consuming drives. The first of which was ultimately fruitless, however a quick three-and-out from the defense – including a key pass break-up from Eber Kington - gave the Thunder offense another chance. This time there was no mistake as big runs from Glen Boyle and Smythe moved the chains. Inside the final minute, Smythe took the pitch around left end and was met at the 5-yard line. However, despite 34 carries for 194 yards on the day, he found the strength to burst through and over the attempted tackle of the free safety and into the endzone. Robinson’s 3^rd PAT of the game capped the scoring at 21-9. 

In a game of three scores apiece, ultimately it was the Thunder’s ability to find the endzone that proved the difference. After the game Head Coach Warren Smart had this to say: “This win certainly wasn’t pretty but it is a win nonetheless and that’s all that counts at the end of the day. It guarantees the Thunder our second straight season at .500 or better since returning, which is in itself a remarkable achievement. How far we go from here will be up to the players. However, we know that the division lead will once again be up for grabs in a fortnight when we go to Chiltern, so we must stay focused and use this week to be as prepared as possible.” 

On his star running back: “Simply awesome.” 

The Thunder will next travel to Amersham to play the also undefeated Chiltern Cheetahs on June 6^th.