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Hull Hornets 3 Nottingham Caesars 20
Nottingham Caesars welcomed the Hull Hornets to the Harvey
Hadden Stadium for the second meeting, this season, of the two clubs. With the
sun shining brightly and the temperature soaring into the mid twenties
conditions were going to test the fitness and stamina of both teams.
With the Caesars electing to receive the ball their
offense started slowly as they were unable to gain any meaning full yardage
against the Hornets defense. Likewise when the Hornets were on the offensive
they were unable to threaten the Caesars goal line, despite some tackle busting
runs from their running backs. Towards the latter stages of the quarter
Nottingham quarterback Jason Smith worked his offense to within 22 yards of the
Hornets endzone. On the next play he unleashed a pass that found tight end
Ashley Jones in the endzone, who despite the attention of two Hornets defensive
backs, leapt into the air to grab the ball and secure 6 points for the Caesars.
Up stepped Caesars kicker James Smith to add the extra point. 7-0 to the
Caesars at the end of the first quarter.
With the defense’s dominating play neither offense could move the ball into
point scoring opportunities during the second quarter, although on balance the
Hornets offense looked the more capable of breaking the stalemate. But it was
not to be and half time arrived with the score still 7-0 in the Caesars favour.
With the third quarter continuing in a similar vain it looked as though the
Caesars were going to keep their noses in front, until the Hornets managed to
get within field goal range of the Caesars posts. With nerves of steel Hornets
kicker Martin Pepper slotted the ball between the posts from 25 yards to score
an excellent 3 points for the Hornets. With the smell of victory in their
nostrils the Hornets started to press hard for a winning score, and the Caesars
had to draw on all their experience to hold them at bay. The qtr ended 7-3 to
the Caesar.
The final quarter saw a more determined Caesars offense go looking for points
to put the game beyond the reach of the Hornets. Changes were made at
quarterback when Mike Hibbert came in for Jason Smith, this proved to be the
turning point as Hibbert threw a 4 yard pass to tight end David Hine to score a
touchdown, and with James Smith adding the extra point this took the score to
14-3 in favour the Caesars. With the heat now starting to take its toll players
from both teams were starting to wilt under the unrelenting conditions. With a
few minutes left in the game and with the Caesars offense 22 yards from the
Hornets goal line wide receiver Dervan Alleyne was handed the ball who then
proceeded to duck, dive and weave his way from one side of the pitch to the
other mesmerising the Hornets defense to score a touchdown. Despite starting 22
yards out Alleyne must have covered 40 to 50 yards to score. With no extra
points added the score was 20-3 to the Caesars. This remained the final score
as the clock wound down to the end of the game.
Great respect has to be paid to the Hornets for the spirit
they played with, as despite all the turmoil they have under gone in the last
few weeks, and only bringing a small squad to Nottingham they gave the
conference leaders a real run for their money. ‘The best compliment I can pay
them is that they are a true BAND OF BROTHERS and if they continue to play like
that did in Nottingham they will be a force to be taken seriously by any team
playing them.’ Said John Burnett Team Manager of the Nottingham Caesars
Photos courtesy of Jason Bridges .