Blitz open up with a win

Posted in: London Blitz, BAFL Premier    By Nick Manning May 13, 2008 - 11:21:14 AM

London Blitz 48 - 0 Gateshead Senators

The London Blitz started their defense of the BAFL Premiership title this Sunday as they made the long journey north to take on the Gateshead Senators.

The hot, sunny conditions put both teams to the test when they kicked off the Britbowl XXII chase as a series of mistakes and penalties led to a disjointed start to the game. The Blitz offense, led by quarterback Stuart Franklin, moved forwards only to be dragged back by errors. This sloppy play was typified when running back Tyrone Irons-Reid carried the ball successfully down inside the Gateshead ten only to fumble on a sweep play. The Blitz defense took to the field looking to return to their dominating performances of 2007 and quickly snuffed the Senators when cornerback Melvyn Akins intercepted a wayward pass from Senators Ed Tate. Two plays later new signing running back Jon Chilton rumbled into the endzone on 5 yard run and Nathan Holt tacked on the extra point to give the Blitz a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Holt was forced to show his linebacker credentials on the ensuing kick off as Gateshead made it to halfway before being dragged down by the Wolfman. The teams then traded punts until the Blitz found their offensive groove and engineered a consistent drive capped off by Chilton this time diving in from the two yard line and Holt again added the extra point. The Blitz 'D' again stood firm and Franklin took over with completions to a various receivers until veteran Marcin Lai scampered between would be tacklers into the endzone.

The next Senator drive was finished early when defensive end Pat ‘Ice Cream Man’ Yeye forced a fumble that was recovered in the endzone by former Olympian defensive end Lawrence Reid. This gave the Blitz a 21-0 lead going into half time.

The second half saw Gateshead come out with their workman-like double wing-t formation. After Gateshead made a first down, some system changes from the Blitz coaching staff of Head Coach Mark Moss, Damian Anderson and Mike Callan ensured normal service was resumed as the Blitz D-block stifled the Gateshead running plays. The Blitz answered straight back when newcomer running back Gareth Dawbrey followed some great blocking to take the rock 72 yards for another six points.

The rest of the second half followed a very similar path as the Blitz defense led by new signing Paul Summers and buoyed by an interception from cornerback Barrington Moxom-Smith, gave their offense great field position as they added scores through a Stuart Franklin scramble and another on rush from Dawbrey. The icing was put on a solid Blitz performance when on the last play of the game linebacker Lloyd Buxton returned an interception for another touchdown, leaving the final score 48-0.

Head Coach Mark Moss said, "This weekend as a whole has been a good start to the season for us. The trip has allowed us to spend more time together as a team and I hope this team spirit will serve us well down the stretch."

Coach Moss isn’t about to relax or let his players slack off though. "This is only a small step in this season and straight away we have to start working for our upcoming games and look to the future." He was also pleased to see the emergence of the first products of the revived Blitz youth system. "Michael Sinyangwe, Taurean Hogan and Michael Kolawole all saw game time and we’re pleased with the progress they’ve made so far, but there is still much work to do, as there is for all our players’"

The Blitz next game is away to top rivals Coventry Jets on Saturday 25th May. They return to Finsbury Park to host the Farnham Knights on 1st June.

Pictures of the game between the Blitz and the Senators are available to purchase from www.photoboxgallery.com/danh_photos. All of the proceeds from the sale of images this year will go to the Blitz' nominated charity, the Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Sussex.

 Photos courtesy of London Blitz.

 

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