Jets Maul Madrid 39-8

The Coventry Cassidy Jets, playing their first ever game in the European Cup, started off in fine style with a resounding win that promises a great deal for the coming months. In front of 1,200 fans in Nuneaton, the third highest in Jets history, on a red hot day in the Midlands, the Jets overcame some early rustiness and a lot of penalties to ease past their Spanish guests.

The switch to Nuneaton Borough FC proved to be a success. The bouncy castle, burgers, beers, pipe band, cheerleaders, mascots and live commentary all helped to create a great atmosphere and it wasn’t too long before Jeremy Simms opened the scoring against a tough Bears defense to spot the Jets a 7-0 first quarter lead.

The Osos offense were only moving the ball with the help of repeated Jets penalties, but as the Jets began to adjust to the new season they stuffed the Madrid running game and got consistent pressure on the quarterback. Meanwhile, the Jets offense hit stride. Chris Foster, the Jets new quarterback from Toronto, began to hit his receivers in stride and the Jets ended the contest in the second quarter as first Perkins made a 20-yard reception to increase the lead to 14, before Mark Cohen took hold of the day with an MVP performance. He added great catches of 19 yards and 24 yards to extend the Jets half time lead to 27-0.

At half time the Jets Kittens and Cabin Crew Cheerleaders entertained the crowd, before the Standard Triumph Pipe Band made a colourful entrance to add to the cultural experience. It appeared to re-invigorate the Spanish players who came out with a second wind in the third quarter. However, Mark Cohen was now running riot scoring his hat-trick of touchdowns on a 29-yard reception. That ended debutant quarterback Chris Foster’s day with 10 of 23 attempts, 250 yards, 5 touchdowns and 1 interception…a great way to start his Jets career. The Jets extra point conversion was blocked by the Osos and recovered by Raheim Jeffries who raced 80-yards to open the Bears account at 33-2.

With the Jets now substituting freely back-up quarterback Tim Spaull had his opportunity to shine. The British player added another 68 yards in receptions, including a 36-yard bomb for yet another score to Mark Cohen. Cohen’s day, dedicated to the memory of his late mother Maureen whose birthday it would have been, included 6 receptions for 166 yards and 4 touchdowns, continuing his amazing record of having scored at least 1 touchdown in every one of the Jets last 26 games.

Luis Javier Boza Parra scored a consolation touchdown for the Bears in the dying seconds to conclude the scoring at 39-8.

Jets General Manager, Peter Evans, addressed the crowd over the PA system and thanked them for their great support saying: “Nuneaton has done us proud. It’s been a tough week and today has made it all worthwhile”.

Meanwhile, Jets Head Coach, Gerry McManus was already looking ahead, adding: “It’s good to get a first win under our belts but we know we have a long of work to do to be ready for the Bulls in two weeks time. I’m disappointed with the penalties we accumulated but we’ll work that out in practise and be ready for the next challenge”.