3rd
April 2005
BSL Division Two
Norwich Devils 6 – 32 Kent Exiles
The Kent Exiles travelled to Norwich to face the Devils in the kick-off weekend of the
2005 BAFL season, and returned home having exorcised the demons of never having beaten the
Devils before, with a comprehensive victory. The Exiles dominated the game from the
outset, their potent offence for once found it’s feet at the start of a season, and
began churning out the yardage. It was to be a huge day for the unit, racking up over 500
yards, and scoring five touchdowns, the first of which came on a first quarter pass from
Matt Duncan to the 2004 league leading receiver, Grahame Warby, from 15 yards out and an
early 6-0 Exiles lead. The Exiles defence, which had been re-vamped in the off-season
under new defensive co-ordinator Nigel Hadley’s tutelage, also showed signs that it
was to be a force to be reckoned with in 2005. Paul Samartin stood out and led the unit in
tackles on the day, and soon had the Exiles offence the ball back. 
Stewart Muir
The Exiles were driving behind some inspired running from Great Britain trialist Stewart
Muir, who finished the day with a club record 239 yards from just 14 carries. His work
soon led to a 12-0 lead following Duncan’s second touchdown strike of the day, this
time to Alex Campbell from 13 yards out. A third touchdown came on Matt Duncan’s 1
yard run and rounded out the scoring in the half, and the Exiles held an 18-0 lead. The
Exiles were unlucky to not extend their lead on the opening kick-off of the second half,
as for the second season running Alex Campbell had a return called back on a penalty, this
seemed to effect the Exiles for a while, and the offence could not find it’s rhythm.
The Defence also uncharacteristically gave away a series of silly penalties, leading to
the Devils only score of the game on a 10-yard pass. Michael Turner blocked the point
after attempt, and it was 18-6 to the Exiles. A Turner interception then gave the Exiles
the ball back early in the 4th quarter, and the Exiles took control of the game once more.
More elusive Muir running interspersed by the hard nosed style of former Essex Spartan
Garry Dillon, led to the former Essex man rumbling in from 2 yards out and a 24-6 lead.
Muir capped his superb performance late on with a 26-yard reception from backup
quarterback Simon Mackerill, after which Dillon added the 2-point conversion for the final
32-6 scoreline.After the game Exiles head coach Phil Wood commented, "I’ve been
with this club for 5 seasons now, and I can’t remember a better opening season
performance than that. We’ve still got a lot of rough edges to work out, and special
teams needs some work, but to come to a class team like Norwich and win like that was very
satisfying". The Exiles now have a 2-week gap before travelling to Basildon to face
the Essex Spartans, a fixture that has always proved a closely fought affair over the past
few seasons. Full details can be found on the Exiles website, www.kentexiles.co.uk Summary
of scoring 1st Quarter – Grahame Warby 15yd reception from Matt Duncan, 1 PAT no
good2nd Quarter – Alex Campbell 13yd reception from Matt Duncan, 1 PAT no good 2nd
Quarter – Matt Duncan 1yd Run, 1 PAT no good 3rd Quarter – Norwich Devils 10yd
reception 4th Quarter – Garry Dillon 2yd run, 1 PAT no good 4th Quarter –
Stewart Muir 26yd reception from Simon Mackerill, Garry Dillon 2 PAT good.Most Valuable
PlayersOffensive – Paul Pester, offensive lineman Defensive – Michael Turner,
defensive back Special Teams – Alex Campbell, KO Returner
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