Thunder take final step

Posted in: BritBowl, BritBowl, Sussex Thunder    By Tony Miller Sep 9, 2008 - 2:46:48 PM

 

Yorkshire Rams 16 Sussex Thunder 26

Despite the cold and wet conditions on Sunday, the Thunder produced a hot performance just when needed. In a hard fought game the Sussex side outgunned their Yorkshire visitors to reach the BAFL 1 National Final. Touchdowns from running backs Pete Nemeth and Chris Lampey and one from quarterback Eber Kington propelled the Thunder to a 26-16 victory.

 

Chris Jones

With heavy ground from the rain that had hit most of the country, the emphasis was always going to be on the running game. Sussex threatened on two or three occasions but both defenses held firm and the first quarter ended with no score, the main action being an interception by the Thunder’s Chris Jones. At the start of the second the Thunder had the Rams pinned back deep in their own territory, and when forced to punt, an errant snap sailed over the head of the Rams punter and all he could do was fall on the ball in his own endzone to concede the 2 point safety. It was a lead the home side deserved and were never to relinquish.

 

Straightaway the Thunder added to their lead when following the kick off runs by Nemeth, twice, and an Allman reception, for first downs put them in scoring range. Nemeth finished off the drive from seven yards out and Paul Robinson ran in the 2 point conversion to give the Thunder a 10–0 advantage. The Rams got on the scoreboard when, after a 16 play drive, Green converted a 22 yard field goal. But on their next possession a Dale Smart interception and return put Sussex on the Rams ten yard line. Two plays later Kington barrelled his way into the endzone for the six points. The extra point attempt failed to leave the half-time score at 16-3.

 

 

At the start of the second half the Rams tried for another field goal, but this one failed. However the Rams were now having their best spell of the game and pulled the score back to 16-10 on an 11 yard touchdown pass from Andy Green. Boosted by this, the visitors went for the tying score, only for Jones to register his second interception of the day. The Rams’ defense held the Thunder on their next drive, but their next possession didn’t last long, with linebacker Paul Nixon picking off Green as the Rams quarterback looked to find his receiver over the middle. Again Sussex punished the visitors when, after a 20 yard reception by Allman, Chris Lampey went in from five yards out, the extra point was good and the Thunder were now 23-10 ahead. The Rams displayed that renowned “Yorkshire Grit”, when they struck straight back on a 26 yard touchdown pass play from Green to Ben Barker. George Korischar blocked the point after attempt to leave the score at 23-16. With the clock ticking down, the Thunder put the game beyond the Rams reach when Chris Percival converted a 28 yard field goal to ensure a place in the final.

 

After the game Thunder Head Coach Len Scott praised both his own team and the visitors. “My team played a great game today, they performed extremely well in difficult conditions. Our offense is now beginning to fire on all cylinders, and our defense, well, what can I say, in 24 years of being involved in football I don’t think I have had a better defensive unit than this one. The plaudits for that, though, go to Coach Korischar and Coach Stitt. We had to produce a big performance today as the Rams came to play. They are a tough, well coached and well organised team and although we led all the way, they kept coming back at us”.

 

The Thunder now head for sunny Doncaster and a match up with the Redditch Arrows for the BAFL 1 title, in what should be a terrific battle between the two Conference Champions.

 

Visit the clubs website www.sussex-thunder.co.uk for further news and information.

 

Images courtesy of Ian Muir @ idmphoto.

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