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7th
May 2005
BAFL Division One
London Olympians 14-23 Southern Sundevils
2 Years ago, Southern should have been the first team too break the London Olympians 6
year unbeaten run
Only a late comeback by the Os prevented it and kept the
record intact.
Although it is too late to break The Run the Sundevils had a chance to be the
first team to beat the London team in 2005. Considering the two clubs records this season
things didnt look good for the Southampton team, losing 2 games in quick succession.
On the flip side it looked as if the Os were back into winning ways beating last
years British champions and a 2004 Div 1a Finalist.
1st Quarter Olympians 00-00 Sundevils
Both team failed to put points on the board in a quarter dominated by defences, but it was
apparent that the Sundevils meant business, their imports had settled into their offensive
schemes and helped the Sundevils to bend an Olympians defence that is usually very
unforgiving, both WR, Z Clarke(2) and RB, E Lewis(3) moved the ball, only desperate
tackling by DE, O Ekwegh(44) (who had a standout game with 8 Tackles, 3 Sacks and 2 Punt
Blocks), LB, T Newton(44), LB, F Hatega(2) and CB, W Roach(37) stopping any scoring. On
the other side of the ball after a bright start for the Olympians by RB, G Dauley(27)
getting 3 back to back first downs the offence struggled to keep any drives going.
2nd Quarter Olympians 00-08 Sundevils
And so it began, an accurate pass from Southerns new QB, N Stalick(10) and a mix up
in coverage saw Clarke(2) haul in the corner route pass from 23yds out with Lewis(3)
Running in the 2pt conversion. Again both defences held firm for the rest of the half
bending but not breaking, the Olympians defence did admirably carrying out numerous
goaline stands as a result of constantly being left in dismal field position. Towards the
end of the 1st Half the Os offence finally began to awake, pulling of the best drive
of the day so far with much of the yardage being picked up between the strike partnership
of QB, S Franklin(8) and WR, J Price(3) who hooked up for a 30yd pick up leaving the ball
tantalizingly close to pay dirt. However it was not to be an incomplete pass and a muffed
snap kept the clock ticking and time ran out before the next play could start.
Halftime Summary Olympians 00-08 Sundevils
The Olympians struggled to get any headways leaving their defence with poor field position
to defend offence need to change this, if it wasnt for some great individual
performances the Sundevils could easily have been 2 more scores up. The Sundevils with
their style of offence are overpowering the Os with sheer numbers and are using the
short pass to good affect.
3rd Quarter Olympians 00-14 Southern
Another tough defensive battle ensued with good tackling and pressure from Ekwegh(92) and
veteran DE, G Thomas(58) getting to the visitors QB a few times. The Southern defence
always the strength of the Southampton outfit was now swarming to tackles and not allowing
the Os to get any momentum. The only score of the quarter widened the gap for the
home team to 14pts an 8yd run by RB, S Miller(1) doing the damage.
4th Quarter Olympians 14-23 Southern
This was turning into a disaster, the Sundevils seemed to now be able to drive down field
at will, the defence fatigued by the amount of time that they had been on the field. The
Sundevils kept the first drive of the 4th Quarter with yet another score, again a run by
Miller(1). A now formidable lead of 20pts would make most teams give up, not the Olympians
they were going to battle to the end. WR, J Simms went on a mission to get his team back
into the game with 9 minutes left in the he hauled in a quick slant in the endzone under
massive pressure by the defensive backs. Southern this tmie turned the ball over, but the
Os offence were just not able to click consistently and a fumble gave the ball
straight back and allowed the Sundevils to again drive down field, this time the Os
defence dug deep and held the visitors to a fieldgoal leaving the Olympians needing 3
scores to win all this in 7 minutes
It seemed pointless, but they didnt give up
on the very first play of the next drive Franklin(8) threw long to J Simms(7) who fought
off two defensive backs and sprinted to the endzone. Knowing the Olympians needed the ball
back the Sundevils did a good job of using up the clock and with 30secs and no timeouts
the comeback was out of the question and so was another Olympians perfect season. The
surprise of the season so far it will certainly make the Southern Conference very
interesting for the 2nd half of the season.
We underestimated them
we didnt do our homework
they played their
hearts out and deserved the win said Team Captain, Sacha Conte.
The return leg of this game will be played on Sunday June 26th in Southampton. The
Olympians are now on the road until 20th August when we will play the Cambridge Cats at
Crystal Palace. |
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