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Milton
Keynes City Pathfinders 0-67 Colchester Gladiators
The Colchester Gladiators continued
their dream season on Sunday with another demolition of a conference opponent,
despite being without a number of their starting offensive line up as well as
three of their coaching staff. Offensive co-ordinator Tarquin Stephenson stood
in as acting Head Coach in the absence of Matt Roberts and the team barely
missed a beat. Running back Alex Robinson had to carry the load in
the absence of two thirds of their three pronged
running attack, and he certainly stood up to be counted. Robinson smashed a
long standing team record, racking up eight touchdowns, surpassing the previous
best of six by Mel Moore and Leo Beckford.
The Pathfinders were clearly
fired up and playing for pride in this return fixture after the humiliation of
a hefty 88-6 defeat in Wivenhoe three weeks previously, and after the visitors’
defense quickly forced a punt, the Gladiators’ offense struggled, failing to
get a first down, and had to kick the ball back to the hosts.
But with the Gladiators’ defense
playing as well as it is it wasn’t long before the Pathfinders punted again.
With the Gladiators’ running game initially struggling to get going with
Beckford and Rich Thomas missing, Coach Stephenson looked to his passing game.
Quarterback Dan Singer was up to the task and launched a long pass to Simon
Cruise who hauled in the bomb and ran across the goal line to complete the 57
yard pass play for the opening score of the day. Scott Taylor slotted the extra
point for a 7-0 lead.
The improved Pathfinders chalked
up a first down on their next possession, taking them to midfield but the
stingy Gladiators defense was determined not to give up any more, and forced a
fumble which was recovered by Dan Johnson.
Colchester doubled their lead on
their second play from scrimmage when Robinson scored his first of the day,
running in from 26 yards out, and went further ahead at the start of the second
quarter when the same player scored from 12 yards away to make the score 19-0. With
the defense giving nothing away, there was plenty of time for Robinson to score
his third, this time from four yards out, and after Simon Cruise ran in the two
point conversion, the Gladiators had a healthy 27-0 advantage at half time.
The second half began with an
offensive explosion after the Gladiators returned the ball from the
Pathfinder’s kick off. The Gladiators were in cruise control when Simon Cruise
first ran for 20 yards and a first down, then caught another long pass from quarterback
Singer. Cruise completed the 46 yard catch and run play for the opening score
of the third period, extending the advantage to 33-0.
With the defense continuing their
stingy form, the Gladiators soon had the ball back and put together the longest
drive of the game. The ten play, 84 yard drive culminated in, predictably,
another Robinson touchdown, from three yards out and Taylor’s kick took the
score to 40-0. The Pathfinders showed their spirit however, putting together
their own best drive of the day, stringing together eight plays with two first
downs before having to kick the ball away. Robinson added his fifth and sixth
early in the fourth quarter, running in from 33 and 13 yards away, with Taylor
kicking both extra points to increase the score to 54-0.
With Paul Brunsden, Phil Moreton
and Mark Gilbranch stopping everything the noticeably tiring Pathfinders could
throw at them, the score was soon extended by star man Robinson. Rookie running
back Phil Deschamps rumbled for 28 yards before Robinson again went the
distance, catching another perfect pass from Singer. Dan Johnson stepped up to
kick the extra point to take the score past 60.
The Pathfinders could get no joy
through the air either and as time was ticking down, Robinson completed his
record breaking day with a scintillating run, picking up blocks from George
Meighan and Paul Bovingdon, and scorching the opposing defense for a
spectacular 53 yard run, to give the final score of 67-0.
Coach Stephenson was delighted
with the performance considering the players that were missing and said, “I was
pleased with the performance of the team especially in the very warm
conditions. Offensively there were a number of notable absentees including
Fullback Leo Beckford and Running back Rich Thomas but that didn't stop us
moving the ball. On the defensive side of the ball another shut out on the
board and limiting the opposition to minimal yards gained was a strong
performance especially with no defensive coaches able to make the trip. Now we
can look forward to East Kent coming into town which will be a tough game and
will push the team. This is where we will show our true
potential as a team."
The Gladiators return to training
this Sunday at the Sir Charles Lucas Sports Centre, where it is never too late
to join the team. Potential new players should contact Club Secretary Tom
Burridge at
secretary@colchestergladiators.org.uk. In two
weeks time, the East Kent Mavericks come to Colchester to try to put an end to
the Gladiators’ amazing run of results. The Gladiators ended the Mavericks
playoff hopes with an emphatic 52-24 win at Wivenhoe Stadium so they will be
out to avenge that defeat which effectively ended their season.