21st August 2005 BAFL Division One Southern Sundevils 0-28 PA Knights The Knights secured their second consecutive BAFL Div 1 Southern Conference Championship with an all round team performance that delivered an impressive victory over the Sundevils. The Knights went into the game carrying some injuries and without four of their regular starting defensive players, also missing was 1,000yd rushing star Kingsley Ejiogu. The Knights however have a strong squad and a very positive team spirit that resulted in a very competent and confident performance from the 2004 National Champions. The two teams had played each other the week before, a 14-6 home win for the Knights, and the first quarter not surprisingly saw both teams testing each other out for adjustments and opportunities. The Knights put together one long drive with strong runs from Paul Attia and Joe StLouis but a 3rd down sack by the Sundevils Defense saw the Knights pushed back to the edge of their Field Goal range and the resulting attempt fell just wide of the target. The Knights Defense was in dominating form and the Sundevils found it difficult to move the ball although QB Eric Lewis did manage to convert a couple of third down opportunities with tenacious runs from behind centre. The first quarter ended scoreless 0-0. The same pattern opened the second quarter - but the Knights offense was about to explode into scoring action. On their second possession of the period the Knights running game moved the ball to the Sundevils 47yd line. Quarterback Ashley Heath dropped back and hit Wide Receiver Tony Talbot in stride for a 47yd catch and run. Former Aldershot AAC sprinter Talbot showing good speed to outpace the pursuing Sundevils. The extra point attempt added additional excitement as an errant snap saw kicker Steve Belcher scrambling with the ball - Belcher ran right and found TE Dudley Graham in the corner of the endzone with a 2point scoring pass - the Knights led 0-8. The Knights defense provided the Offensive with another opportunity as Marvin Jimerson intercepted QB Lewis to give the visitors possession at the half way line. A quick pass to TE Graham saw the Knights into Sundevil territory and then the running of , fit again, Paul Attia and StLouis saw them score again. Attia finishing the drive with a 1yd run that opened his BAFL points account. Steve Belcher kicked the extra point and the Knights led 0-15. The Sundevils went three plays and out and the Knights had another opportunity to put points on the board. This time Heath hit Moses Tomas for a 20yd gain that saw them threatening the Sundevils endzone. Gavin Hart took the hand off and weaved his way 14yds to the endzone for the Knights third touchdown of the period. The extra point attempt failed and the Knights led 0-21. The Knights had the first possession of the third period but the Sundevil Defense stepped up their game and the visitors suffered their first 3 and out series. The Knights Defense continued to dominate and the pattern was set for the next two possessions. Late in the quarter the Sundevils, on the back of the running and passing of QB Lewis put together a good drive that saw them threatening the Knights endzone. The visiting Defense led by Tony Mackenzie and Ken Ross shut down the opportunity and on 4th down DE Stuart Clackson forced Lewis to stay in the pocket - Strong Safety Neil Edwards broke through the blocking and recorded a drive ending sack with a crunching tackle on the Sundevil QB. The Knights then went three plays and out for the second time - losing yardage on one play - and found themselves punting from their own 10yd line. Former London Monarch kicker Steve Belcher produced an enormous 70yd punt that was downed at the Sundevil 20yd line. The Devils ran for two yards on their first down and then QB Lewis looked to pass them out of trouble. The Knights leading Wide Receiver Rodney Edgerton was spending a day on the opposite side of the ball as a substitute defensive back - he used his receiving skills to step in front of the pass and then returned it 22yds for a Knights touchdown. Steve Belcher kicked the extra point and the Knights led 0-28. The fourth quarter saw more of the same. The Knights defense was unforgiving with strong contributions from linebackers Will White and Jez McLees. Marvin Jimerson made his second pick of the day and the Knights drove into Field Goal range - unfortunately the attempt was again just wide and the score remained 0-28. The Sundevils were forced to punt on their next possession and with Attia now finding more room to run the Knights were driving impressively - an unfortunate injury to one of the Sundevils Russian linemen however was causing concern to the ambulance crew. They decided that they had to leave the ground to transport the injured player to hospital and after discussion between the two Head Coaches and the Head Referee it was decided to shorten the time period of the fourth quarter by the remaining 4 minutes (as allowed by rule) and end the game. The Knights were therefore confirmed as Southern Conference Champions with a 9-1 record. They now have a bye in the first round of the play offs and will play at home on the 11th September in the National Championship Semi-Final against either the Gateshead Senators or the Southern Sundevils. Knights Head Coach Steve Rains said "We are delighted to have won the Conference Championship for the second time. When we lost to the Olympians in mid-season the doomsayers were quick to jump on the bandwagon and criticise us - 6 straight wins since then, which included a victory over the Olympians, has given the answer from this team. I am very proud of them and this achievement, they have shown great spirit and determination. The work today from the whole group was first class on both sides of the ball. Of course that is the regular season over - now we face the challenge of retaining our National Championship - we have three weeks to heal up and get ready to play a tough semi-final, its sudden death from here on and there are no easy games" Defensive Co-ordinator Ian Ellis said "With four regular starters missing most teams would be concerned. We have complete faith in our squad however and I think it would have been difficult for anyone to have identified the fact that we had people missing - the guys were tremendous today. The Sundevils are a very good team and always play hard it was therefore particularly pleasing to record the shut out which sends us into the play offs in a very positive mood" Offensive Assistant Paul Allison added " We will at some point have both Kingsley and Paul Attia fit and together in the backfield which should concern anyone who is due to play us - to add to their concerns I think Joe, Gavin and Moses demonstrated the depth of our running threat today behind the outstanding blocking of our OLine. Ashley and the receiving corps showed, as we know they can, that our passing threat cannot be ignored and the balance in our attack today was impressive"