Linebacker Samson McCoy had key interception
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The Cambridgeshire Cats hosted the Bristol Aztecs on Sunday looking to avenge the 2003 semi final 12 – 14 loss, and this years opening game 7 – 0 loss.
The Cats started well by winning the coin toss and electing to receive the ball. Paul “Zippy” Donaghy returned the ball to the half way line, giving the Cats offence great field position.
The dry weather was a complete contrast to the mud-bath at Bristol, and gave the Cats pass happy offence more confidence. Mark Blackwell caught a Nick Tilbury pass, and then Stephen “Booty” Morrison ran for a first down. Dominic Fox then showed great awareness by catching a tipped ball and running for another first down.
A Cats error, followed by an Aztec sack forced the Cats to bring on Mark spittle to punt, pinning the Aztecs offence deep into their half. The Aztecs offence usually associated with a running attach came out passing the ball and gained some territory into the Cats half. The Aztecs were stopped on a fourth down conversion inside the Cats twenty giving the ball back to the Cats. With long runs by Steve Morrison and an incredible juggling catch by tight end Mark Blackwell, the Cats were back in the Aztecs half but as is typical in Aztec vs Cats games the defences get tough close to the goal line, and a Mark Spittle field goal went wide left.
Then star Aztec runner Kenny Saro broke a long run for an apparent touchdown, but a holding penalty negated the play, to the relief of the Cats defence. A diving interception by Nate Ashby gave the ball back to the Cats. Completions to Matt Smith and Ricky Benson moved the chains but again the Cats were forced to punt the ball. The Aztecs offence fared no better with linebackers Samson McCoy, Mickey Howling and Paul Donaghy making sure tackles. The Aztec punt was blocked by Chris Tann giving The Cats offence one more play before half-time. Unfortunately the Bristol secondary read the play and intercepted the Nick Tilbury pass.
The Cats have struggled in the second half all season because of low numbers of players, but with some key players returning from injury and some players coaxed out of retirement for the first time this year The Cats had some fresh legs ready to play. The Aztecs received the ball first and had a long pass negated by an illegal man downfield. Good coverage from Nate Ashby prevented any other completions and the Cats offence took to the field. Power runner Ricky Benson carried half the Aztec defence for a 10 yard gain, and then Steve Morrison set off for another long run. Mark Blackwell caught another Nick Tilbury pass which took the offence within 20 yards of the Aztecs goal line, but The Cats could get no further and a Mark Spittle field goal was wide left.
The Aztecs moved the ball with some hard running from Tim Stone and Kenny Saro but then Samson McCoy intercepted the ball again giving The Cats good field position on the Aztecs 35 yard line. This time the offence struck with a perfect pass from Nick Tilbury to star rookie Dominic Fox who ran into the end zone for 6 points. The extra point by Mark Spittle was blocked but the Cats had the lead, and had no intentions of relinquishing it.
Big tackles from Chris Dahl and Paul Donaghy stopped the Aztecs running game and then Matt Brown in his first game this year showed his worth to the time by making a huge tackle on a reverse play forcing the Aztecs to punt. The Cats offence went to its power formation with Samson McCoy lead blocking for Chris Dahl. Along with the hard work done by the offensive line consisting of Stuart Tinsley, Russ Begbie, Casey Guild, Brian Jelley, Frank Moore and Jim Logden, the offence moved the ball at prevented Bristol getting the ball.
Bristol did manage to halt the offence but with only seconds left on the clock the Cats went to a prevent defence and with several incomplete passes and a Joel Hughes quarterback sack the Cats emerged as victors in a 6 – 0 defensive battle.
The Cats now have a break before the next game which is on the 13th June at Coldhams Common, Cambridge vs Southern Sundevils from Southampton. They will be training at 19.00 every Thursday evening until then and anyone interested in joining should call Head Coach – Simon Hatcher on 07791396655 or look on the web site www.cambridgeshirecats.co.uk
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