Opening Day Blues

Farnham Fast Lane Knights 26 Bristol Aztecs 6

Aztecs versus Knights has been a regular opening day fixture for the boys from Bristol, with the ‘Tecs opening their seasons against the Knights in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and now 2008. The Knights eased through the previous encounters, this year however, after a third place finish in BAFL Premier in 2007, the Aztecs were confident of a closely fought game.   

Tight end Stuart Toogood on a catch and run.

The Aztecs entered the game with yet more depth of young players from their youth programmes as well as from several local BUAFL teams, but without last years starting quarterback Neil Balthazaar, now chasing trophies with the Coventry Jets. The Knights team that went unbeaten in BAFL 1 last year was laden with new additions in the shape of Liam and Luke Smith, 2007 BAFL MVP Tim Spaull who transferred from the Coventry Jets, and Clive Palumbo, Junior Price, Andy Boyle and Roland Williams fresh from the ashes of the London Olympians.

With their team reloaded for a Premier Division return, the favourites from Farnham started quickly as they intercepted Aztec quarterback Dom Westwood, putting their offense in excellent field position from where Kingsley Ejiogu scampered in from 26 yards for 6 points on the Knights first offensive play. The Knights Steve Belcher added the extra point.

The following Aztec drive was once again halted by the Knights defense, but by now the Aztec defense had found its groove, and on third down, Jamie Wilkinson made an acrobatic diving catch to intercept Luke Smith at midfield. The Aztecs offense gained a first down and moved into field goal position where Chris Hunt pulled back three points from 38 yards. The ensuing Knights drive ended with Tom Proctor ripping the ball from Ejiogu, which was duly recovered by Tim Stone. The Aztecs failed to make good use of the field position and Chris Hunt pushed his field goal attempt wide right. The Knights offense began to make headway, until Jamie Wilkinson read Smith’s staring gaze and stepped between Boyle and Price to snag his second interception of the quarter. Only the hustle of Price tracking back to make the tackle kept Wilkinson from reaching the endzone. The Aztecs continued to struggle to find the endzone and on fourth down, the usually automatic Chris Hunt hooked the ball wide left. Tom Proctor and Tim Stone were resolute in defense however, and soon combined again on a forced fumble and recovery. The Aztecs drove the ball into the red zone, and this time Chris Hunts kick was good from 25, to leave the score Aztecs 6, Knights 7 at the half.

In the third quarter Tim Spaull replaced Luke Smith in the saddle for the Knights, but both defenses appeared unbreakable, until late in the quarter when the a Spaull play action pass found Britball legend Jon Wyse wide open in the endzone. The extra point was good, and the Knights led 14-6. Early in the fourth quarter the Aztec defense continued to hamper the superstar laden Knights offense, with Mark Proctor and Tom Slater combining to halt a Knights drive. The Aztec offense was moving the ball smoothly on the ground by this point, but another interception set the Knights up in good field position from where Spaull hit ex Aztec Andy Boyle for a 20 yard score, the extra point was missed to give the Knights a 20-6 lead.

Running back Nick Proctor cuts back.

The Aztecs then handed the fate of the game to the offensive line and mounted a long bruising 65 yard drive until the Knights defense forced the ball from Nick Proctor on the one yard line, a ‘wide eyed’ Jay Cashman recovered the ball and in doing so denied the Aztecs the score which would seen them pull to within seven with minutes remaining. The resultant Knights drive and punt pinned the Aztecs deep in their own territory, and with just over a minute on the clock and two touchdowns adrift the Aztecs had no option but to look deep, unfortunately Clive Palumbo’s move from receiver to safety has gone as smoothly as his move from Olympian to Knight, and he leapt to intercept the wayward pass. With seconds remaining, Spaull iced the win a 17 yard strike to Ally Reid. Tom Proctor blocked the kick to leave the final score 26-6 to the Knights.

 

Impressing for the Aztecs on the day were Tom Slater with 6 tackles, Mark Proctor with 5 tackles and a sack, Tom Proctor with 3 tackles and two forced fumbles, and Jamie Wilkinson with 2 interceptions and 3 passes defended.   Nick Proctor led all Aztec running backs with 84 yards.

 

Images courtesy of Adnan Khan