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The Coventry Cassidy Jets got their adult flag season back on track with victories over the Leicester Eagles and St. Albans Kings over the weekend. The back to back wins move the Jets up into third place and puts their destiny back in their own hands. Victories in their final three games will assure that the Jets finish top and progress to the playoffs at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.
After recently being on the wrong end of a 41-16 score line versus neighbours
the Leicester Eagles, the Jets were eager to turn the tables. Boosted by the
return of starters Neil Balthazaar and Andrew Gambrill the Jets got out of the
blocks quickly when Head Coach and starting quarterback Balthazaar hit
compatriot David Sonne for the opening score. The touchdown was the first of
three on the day from the Canadian duo who linked up 8 times in all.
The Eagles have been one of the strongest flag organisations in Britain for a
very long time and it was no surprise to see them strike back immediately. A
touchdown pass followed by a safety handed them a short lived 9-7 lead.
Balthazaar and Sonne re-established the Jets lead as halftime approached
handing Coventry a 13-9 lead at the break.
When the game resumed former Eagle Luke Gambrill added to the Jets lead on an
impressive catch and run from a Balthazaar pass. Sonne was the recipient of the
extra point pass to make the score 20-9. Leicester again answered back with a
touchdown pass before Sonne and Balthazaar had the last word. The final score
was 26-16 to the Jets but it could’ve been more. Shadrach McCook made a
stunning catch for the Jets third interception of the game. The athletic
running back made several moves beating each of the Eagles in turn and some of
them twice as he ducked his way into the endzone only to find that the play had
been harshly ruled out for flag guarding.
Coventry then had the luxury of resting most of their first team as they
clashed with hosts the St Albans Kings. The only previous meeting between the
clubs ended with the Jets running out 74-6 winners, this match would prove much
closer. The Kings began with the ball and scored on their first drive as poor
coverage in the secondary allowed an easy touchdown pass. Marcus Gambrill took
over at the helm for the Jets and accounted for all of Coventry’s first half
scoring. His four touchdown passes all went to McCook and 2 conversions went
the way of his cousin Luke Gambrill. The scores were interspersed by two
further Kings scores leaving the Jets with a precarious 26-18 halftime lead.
The second half saw the Jets step up their defensive intensity shutting out the
home team. William Masinja contributed 3 touchdown receptions, 2 from McCook
and 1 from Gambrill, & Rob Coleman added a safety to give the score line a
more convincing look with the visitors winning 46-18.
With the season reaching its climax the Jets will host the top two teams in
their conference. The Mildenhall Mayhem will visit Warwick University on
Saturday for a double header with the Jets they are also scheduled to play one
game versus the Chichester Sharks. The Jets expect to be missing wide receiver
Steve Podmore but will otherwise be at full strength.