Jets crash in Leicester

Posted in: Coventry Cassidy Jets, BAFL Adult Flag    By Adam Etheridge Jul 17, 2008 - 5:34:21 PM

The Coventry Cassidy Jets blazing start to their inaugural adult flag season came to a screeching halt this weekend as they lost both games in a double header. The two defeats drop the Jets from top spot down to fourth and seriously dent their playoff ambitions. The Jets’ first loss of the season came at the hands of the Chichester Sharks as the men from the south coast posted a 47-18 victory, that defeat was soon followed up by a 26-41 reversal against the hosting Leicester Eagles.

Rookie Rob Coleman made a solid debut at linebacker.

Title hopefuls the Chichester Sharks jumped out to a lightning quick 15-0 behind two Neil Henderson touchdown passes and a safety. It would get worse as Henderson again threw a touchdown strike landing the Jets in a 21-0 hole before they would hit back. The first score of a frustrating day for the Jets offense came courtesy of David Sonne, the Canadian making a solid grab from quarterback Marcus Gambrill. Coventry’s hopes of trimming the lead before half time were dashed as a defensive mix up between Luke Gambrill and Adam Etheridge allowed Henderson to pick out a wide open receiver for the easiest score of the day.

Trailing by 21 the Jets hoped to make inroads early in the second half but Henderson had other ideas and again threw another touchdown pass to put the game out of reach. The two teams traded scores as Marcus Gambrill threw touchdowns to, cousin, Luke and player of the day Shadrach McCook. Each time though Henderson responded with scores of his own to maintain the Sharks lead and run out 47-18 victors.

Coventry began the second game in equally poor fashion. Gambrill’s first drive ended with an interception that was run back for a Leicester Eagles touchdown. The hosts then added to their lead with a touchdown reception to make it 14-0 before Gambrill threw his fourth and final touchdown pass of the day, this time hitting Bryan Over for the score. The Jets defense once again proved unable to keep the Eagles out of the endzone giving up yet another pass for a 21-6 half time deficit.

Steve Timmins scored the final and probably the best touchdown of the day.

A re- invigorated Jets started the second half in furious fashion, David Sonne finding Luke Gambrill who managed to avoid several tackles on his way to the endzone. Leicester’s following possession ended abruptly with a McCook interception that he managed to take all the way back to drag the Jets to within three. The revival was to be short-lived as the Eagles rattled off three scores before the McCook provided the days highlight. Centre Steve Timmins lofted the ball high over McCook’s head sending the back up quarterback scrambling into his own endzone to recover the wayward snap. Avoiding an Eagles blitzer McCook made his way back towards the halfway line before launching a high pass into the back of the endzone where Timmins had found enough space to complete the days scoring.

The Coventry Cassidy Jets now have 3 weeks to prepare for a re-match against the Eagles in St. Albans when they will also meet the hosting Kings. In their only previous meeting the Jets were comfortable 74-6 winners.

 

 

 

Digg this story!    |     Email this article    |     Printer friendly page