The Colchester Gladiators rounded out there first season back in the British American Football League (BAFL) with a hard fought victory against the Pumas from Maidstone.

The Gladiators were again ravaged by injuries and absentees, taking a squad of only 24 players but to a man they played with heart and determination to record their second shut-out of the year.

The Gladiators kicked off to begin the game and were given a huge boost when Nick Foxley knocked the ball from the hands of kick returner Nick Caborn, and Matt Roberts pounced on the ball to give the visitors great field position on the home side’s 27 yard line. An incomplete pass and a one yard gain from Hogarth brought up third and nine. Hogarth got the call again and with a great second effort, brought up first and goal with a strong 21 yard run. Two plays later, QB Keith Rogers zipped the ball to Hogarth, open in the flat, enabling him to walk into the endzone for his first touchdown of the year. The six points became seven when Jay Hope slotted the point after kick.

The Pumas first possession was dominated by the run with fullback Leigh Akehurst using his size to good advantage and bulldozing through the centre of the Gladiators defence. The Gladiators defence would not break though, and stiffened as the Pumas entered the "red" zone, inside the 20 yard line. The defence held firm as it did on several occasions throughout the game and good tackling by Paul Ainsworth, Ben Pepper and James Martin forced a turn over on downs.

The second quarter followed a similar passage with the Gladiators offence failing to make much headway and the Pumas driving deep into Gladiator territory, but each time, when faced with a fourth down inside the twenty, the Gladiators defence rose to the occasion, with Jon Wyse and Colin Steadman making crucial stops.

The Gladiators offence showed signs of life in the third quarter with fullback Kevin Thomas and backfield partner Jamie Scott picking up first downs. QB Rogers got in on the action throwing 15 yards to tight end Steve Pinner and running 18 yards for another first down. However, the Gladiators turned the ball over as Rogers threw an interception to halt one promising drive to keep the Pumas in the game.

After forcing the Pumas to punt, the Gladiators took over on their own four yard line and made good progress as the third quarter ended. The offence could not sustain the drive though after a sack on QB Rogers and the Gladiators punted the ball back to the Pumas.

As time was running out, the Pumas took to the air with little success. Jon Wyse intercepted one pass just out the back of the shortened end zone and on the following drive, linebacker Paul Ainsworth collected his first interception of the season and returned it 33 yards to end another promising drive. A run of 14 yards by Scott, followed by a seven yard pass to Thomas from Rogers and another first down run by Scott took the Gladiators into Jay Hope’s field goal range. Unfortunately the snap was slightly short and holder Foxley was unable to field the ball giving the Pumas one last chance.

Again they drove downfield, inside the 20, and again fourth down came up after tackles by Paul Brunsden, Bill Kendall and Stuart Holben. The fourth down pass was ably defended by Wyse and Pepper so again the Gladiators got the ball back and a chance to run out the clock and win the game.

After two short gains, veteran Hogarth was again able to barrel his way through the tiring Pumas defence for a 14 yard gain and first down allowing QB Rogers to take a knee and see out the final few seconds.

The Gladiators finish the season with a very creditable 4-5-1 record, a very good record for a first year team. Head Coach Karl Bourke was pleased with the performance of his players, many of which were playing both ways in the hot afternoon. Never has the "bend, don’t break" philosophy been more ably demonstrated than in today’s game when the Pumas marched downfield inside the Gladiators twenty yard line, only to come away with nothing. QB Keith Rogers was awarded offence MVP for his passing, rushing and leadership, Paul Ainsworth received the defensive honours, for his tackling and interception, and Dave Hogarth received Game MVP for his team leading rushing.