The Bristol Aztecs opened up their 2005 British American Football League campaign with a home fixture against last year’s Division 1 champion Personal Assurance Knights. With the Knights unbeaten on the domestic front in 2004, the Aztecs knew they would be in for a tough contest.

A short opening drive and punt from the home side presented the Knights with excellent field position, which they duly converted into points. Moses Tomas ran the ball in from 16 yards out for the opening score. With the extra point, the champs were up 7-0.

Bristol RB Jimmy Taylor

Undeterred, the Aztecs refocused, and behind the arm of quarterback Dave Keen, drove the ball 80 yards down the field, capped by Jimmy Taylor’s 3 yard plunge. John Hartley’s extra point tied the game at 7-7.

The Knights replied however, Ashley Heath throwing a touchdown pass to Rodney Edgerton, as the visitors turned up the heat. A pair of Bristol errors led to a Heath sneak for a TD, along with a 13 yard run from veteran Joe St Louis as the half ended. Despite the best efforts of the Aztecs, PA went into the interval 27-7 up.

Chasing the game against the National champions was never going to be easy, and the Knights further turned the screw in the second half. Luke Smith fired a TD pass in the third quarter, as PA extended their advantage. The Knights then cushioned their lead with further scores from the shifty Kingsley Ejioju and Gavin Hart.

At the final gun, the Knights were 47-7 victors, and the Aztecs were left to muse over what could have been a much closer affair. Offensively, Matt Barrett led the way on the ground with 53 rushing yards. QB Keen, sponsored by Tuckers, was 6 of 22 passing, for 44 yards and an interception. Defensively, John Hartley led all tacklers with 10 stops, Abdul Saro with 7 tackles and a sack. The Aztecs gave up just 268 yards on the day as the Knights’ excellent field position paid huge dividends.