Fen Harriers 12-0 Chatham Sharks

This was quite a defensive struggle, and was a superb performance by the Sharks in their first ever game. Both sides having to punt on their first two possessions. Following a good punt return of 25yrds by Lawrence Tallon the Harriers used the good field position to move the ball up the field to the 5yrd line where Neill Prothero bundled up the middle for 6. The Sharks kept out the 2point conversion and the Harriers good pass coverage kept the Sharks out of their endzone up to half time.

The second half followed a similar trend to the first with both defenses maintaining their dominance. Both sides threw interceptions - the Harriers coming on a half back pass from Dougie Andrews. However, the Harriers offence started to find form and behind the good running of Andrews and Paul Griffiths, QB Martin Brown was able to hit Tallon on 10yrd quick slant for the score. Again the Sharks 'D' held out the extra point.

Leicester Eagles 24-0 Chatham Sharks

The Eagles started with the ball and came out passing. Eagles QB John Pimperton threw completions to three different receivers before finding WR James Hossack in the endzone for the opening TD. The Sharks defense snuffed out the conversion attempt to leave the Eagles 6-0 ahead. On their next procession Eagles rookie RB Alex Riorden found the endzone from 20 yards out. The Sharks again stopped the conversion but the Eagles were able to find the endzone for two more TDs with Pimperton passing to RB Craig Broughton and Hossack to put the Eagles 24-0 at halftime.

Despite interceptions from Martin Gwilliam and Sam Brown the Eagles were unable to capitalize on good field position as offensive penalties and some sharp Shark tackling prevented the Eagles from extending their lead and the game finished 24-0 to the Eagles.

Fen Harriers 8-14 Leicester Eagles

The Eagles took the lead in the 1st half on a TD pass from John Pimperton to WR Jeff Brown. Pimperton hooked up with WR James Hossack for the 2pt conversion. On their next procession the Eagles drove the ball down to the Harriers 2yrd line. The Harriers defense held a goal-line stand and turned them over on downs. With only 13 seconds left in the half the Harriers managed to get the ball past halfway on a qb sneak by Martin Brown and then a Brown pass to Tallon who was endzone bound but for the saving tackle of Hossack!

The Harriers came out in the second half and put the ball on the ground - a trade mark weaving run by Paul Griffiths from 55yrds out for the TD to tie the game. Tallon kicked the 2point conversion to even everything up.

Photo courtesy of Matt Ranson

The Eagles came out with a mix of passing and running and Craig Boughton managed to get the yards the Eagles needed on a 4th and 10 to keep the Eagles drive alive. Broughton then found Brown in the Endzone with an option pass and the Eagles went 14-8 with Pimperton finding WR Sam Manger for the 2pt conversion. The Harriers moved the ball down field and on a 4th and 1 the Eagles D-Line held and Martin Gwilliam made the tackle that seemed to have sealed it for the Eagles. However, with only seconds left in the game the Harriers Paul Griffiths came up with an amazing play and stripped the ball from Eagles running back, Alex Riorden, to allow the Harriers another shot at the endzone. Brown threw the Hail Mary pass towards Dougie Andrews in the corner of the Endzone only to see it batted away by some great pass coverage. The final whistle sounded to end the Harriers hopes of having another go at the Endzone and to a fantastic competition.

Current standings

                         W L T +/-  %
Leicester Eagles    6 0 0 +99  1.000
Fen Harriers          2 2 0 +6    0.500
Dream Team         1 1 0  0     0.500
Andover Thrashers 1 3 0 -51  0.250
The Raiders          0  2 0 -18   0.000
Chatham Sharks    0 2  0 -36  0.000