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Southern Sundevils 13 Kent Exiles 19
The Kent Exiles rebounded from defeat, and back into the
play off qualification places, by beating the Southern Sundevils at Crockenhill
on Sunday.
The game could not have started much better for the
Exiles, as early in the first quarter they marched downfield behind the running
of Rob Stewart, and took an early lead as Aaron Griffiths ran in from the one
yard line. Mark Evans kicked the point after attempt. Exiles defense, led once
again by rookie sensation Joe Alexis, then forced the Sundevils to punt the
ball back to the Exiles, and it started once again, Stewart running downfield,
supported by a Ryan Kelly catch from Griffiths. But the drive stalled on the
Sundevils three yard line, and Mark Evans field goal attempt was botched.
The failure to score let the Sundevils back in, and they
knew they had to make a mark. Quarterback Ted Baynham led them downfield, and
the drive was finished by a Tim Iles 3 yard run for the score. Stewart Muir
then gave the Exiles a great chance as he scampered 54 yards on the kickoff
return, he then joined Stewart in the backfield to begin the drive, and the
pair soon had the Exiles on the scoreboard again, Stewart going in from 5 yards
out, and a 13-6 lead at halftime.
In contrast to the first half, the start of the second was
disastrous for the Exiles as on the Sundevils first drive Baynham found Paul
Brady behind the Exiles secondary for a 58 yard touchdown, Tom Martin kicked
the point after, and the game was tied. Stalemate then ensued, as both teams
knew any mistake could cost them dearly in the play off hunt, but Kent started
to win the battle for field position as their defense continued to dominate,
and midway through the final period that finally paid dividends.
Taking over the ball at halfway, the Exiles found some room to run, with Muir
and Stewart again leading the way, Kelly stepped up and made a key first down
catch from Griffiths, and the Exiles were within sight of the goal line. Three
plays later the Exiles faced fourth down, having once again failed to punch the
ball in, with an injured long snapper on the sideline; the Exiles had to go for
it on fourth down. Griffiths took the snap, and facing pressure from the
Sundevils rolled out and looked for Luke Sikkema in the endzone, where the sure
handed receiver made a great play to catch the ball over the head of the
Sundevils defender, and give the Exiles the go-ahead score.
The 150 strong crowd was then treated to a nail biting
finish as the Sundevils tried to come back, reaching the Exiles 20 yard line
they had a chance to take the victory, but that defense came up trumps once
again, and when a last ditch fourth down pass attempt fell incomplete, the
Exiles could finally celebrate.
Following the game Exiles Head Coach Norman Navarro
commented, “I’m pleased that we bounced back well from our defeat a fortnight
ago. Coach Rowe’s defense was outstanding today, with many players stepping up
and playing out of position. I’m also very pleased to see Stewart Muir back to
health, and back on form; he ran the ball very well today. I’m sure we’ll see
Coach Hewitt’s team win a few more games yet this season, as always they are a
tough unit who are hard to break down”.
The Exiles now face a rejuvenated Ipswich Cardinals away
at Northgate Stadium, a side who are coming off their first victory, and
looking to avenge an opening day defeat to the Exiles. Full details of the
Exiles season can be found at
www.kentexiles.co.uk