Jets shoot down Trojans in Battle of Britain

Sunday, 11/09/05 - The undefeated Coventry Cassidy Jets (12-0) faced their arch rivals, the West Coast Trojans (10-2), yesterday in the semi-final of the British American Football League Division 2 championship. At stake was a place in the final and promotion to Division 1a in 2006.

In what was the most eagerly awaited game in UK American Football in 2005 a record-breaking crowd of 1,500 descended on the Butts Arena for the game billed as the ‘Battle of Britain’. The Glasgow based Trojans, champions of Scotland, were confident that they could down the high flying Jets.

The crowd warmly applauded the national anthems performed by the two marching bands and were soon back up out of their seats as Jets kick-off returner Anthony Perkins caught the ball at his own 15-yard line and evaded numerous tackles on a 65 yard return to spot the Jets an early 7-0 lead.

Coventry’s joy was short lived however, as the Trojan Quarterback Gary McNay engineered a quick repost, ending with a 15-yard touchdown reception by the dangerous Mark Squire. The two-point conversion failed and the Jets held a slender 7-6 lead.

Back came the Jets with GB running back to MVP Steve Coles finding a huge hole in the Trojan defense to score from 49-yards. The Jets extended their lead to 13-6 and it was a lead that they would not relinquish. The next Trojan drive proved to be the turning point of the game. The Jets adjusted their defensive coverage to go man-to-man with Adam Biggs covering Squire, whilst their 3-man front piled pressure onto QB McNay. On the same drive Jets linebacker Bernie Hackshaw broke through his blocks to hammer running back John Sutherland to the ground. The injured player was carried from the field and the Trojan offense never recovered.

Sensing a clear edge the Jets offense went to work behind the unstoppable Tim Spaull. Time and again he hit his receivers for big gains and coupled with his superb rushing attack the Trojans had no answer as the Jets scored at will. Firstly, star Wide Receiver Mark Cohen scored on a 47-yard pass, recent signing Tam Byrne added another from 49-yards out before Steve Coles again blew away the Trojan defense on a blistering 68-yard rush.

By half time the Jets were out of sight with a 41-6 lead. Trojan QB McNay had been sacked 9 times and any lingering doubts that the Jets were not the real deal had been eradicated.

The second half was a quieter affair as the Jets added another two touchdowns (a Perkins 2 yard run and yet another Coles 22-yard blast) to pad their lead to 55-6. Just before the game ended Jets cornerback Sam Manger intercepted McNay and returned the ball 80-yards for a touchdown. The crowd and the entire Jets team erupted in celebration…only for the referee to throw a penalty flag to nullify the score. It didn’t matter. The Jets had won with a performance that outclassed a good Trojan outfit.

Coach Gerry McManus said: “My team were outstanding today. They won every battle on the field in every position. We stand just one game away from a perfect season and we intend to finish the job off in style.” Jets General Manager Peter Evans couldn’t hide his delight and added: “The record crowd was the icing on the cake. They made it that little bit more special. Our players visibly swelled with pride when they saw the turnout…our sincere thanks go to all of those Coventry people who helped make our day such a success.”

The Jets now move on to a final show down with the Kent Exiles on September 25^th in Sheffield. A place in the BAFL Division 1a is assured for the Jets next season and the possibility of a crunch local derby with the Birmingham Bulls has moved a step closer!