Posted in:
Hull Hornets,
BAFL 2
By Gavin Rushton
Apr 29, 2008 - 1:22:47 PM
The Hull Hornets opened their 2008 campaign with a
hard fought victory against fellow second year team the Shropshire
Revolution.
Defense was the game of the
day and it really did go down to who would crack first as both units put on
fine displays to stall the offensive game plans set out by each team.
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Hull got the ball first, and went three and out on
their opening drive as the Revolutions strong defensive line set out its stall
by putting lots of pressure early on a confident Hull offensive unit who
featured both US import players Willie Sheird and Drew Coplin.
Once Shropshire got the ball they opened out
early with a passing attack which appeared to catch Hull sleeping, however
after a couple of first downs, the Hull defensive unit drew a line in the sand
and said no more and forced the Revolution to punt.
This was the story of the first half as each team battled away to
gain a toe hold, as soon as it appeared one team was starting to piece together
a drive that could threaten to breach the endzone the opposing defense pulled
every stop out and made sure that the drive faltered.
This was until the last two minutes of the first half, when led
by Willie Sheird the Hull Hornets ground out a 57 yard drive from just outside
their own red zone down to the Shropshire 24 yard line and with 3 seconds left
to go and on third down the Hornets elected to take the 3 points on offer and
kick a field goal.
This was however
controversial as the Hornets first attempt was a fumbled snap however the
officials had not blown the ball live and so the Hornets escaped from the half
with a 3-0 lead as the second attempt kicked by Martin “Doc” Pepper was good.
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The second half saw the Revolution come out with
more fire in their belly but this was met by Hulls grim determination to hold
on to their slender lead and the defensive battle from the first half was
resumed with even more gusto.
The game
continued to be a midfield stalemate with both teams struggling for that
elusive offensive foothold when mid way through the third stuck on
their own 4 yard line, quarterback Willie Sheird threw a quick slant to receiver
Drew Coplin who pitched it off to fellow receiver and speedster Dave Pickering
who raced 90 yards away from the Revolution defense and into the endzone for
the game’s only touchdown.
The point
after attempt, kicked by Martin “Doc” Pepper was good leaving the score at 10-0
The drama was not over yet, as on the next
offensive drive from Hull after some steady progression Hull’s quarterback
tried to force a pass to Dave Pickering and was picked off by the Shropshire
safety, who after a number of good blocks scampered 38 yards, before a touchdown
saving tackle was made by Hull’s full back Ben Grant.
The Shropshire offense again took the field this time with good
position to start with, however Hulls stand out defense did its job and after
very few yards forced the Rev’s to kick the ball away.
Hull knew that it was time to slow things down and
run as much of the clock off; which is what it did, however Shropshire still
had one last chance to break Hull hearts as approaching the end of the game,
Sheird threw his second interception of the day giving the Revolution one final
chance, but Hull’s stingy defense remained that way and ensured that the shop
remained closed.
The game was delayed for about 20 minutes in the
first quarter due to an injury to dale Shilvock who was taken to hospital with
a broken leg; the Hull Hornets family wish you all the best and a speedy
recovery.
Hull’s next game is this Sunday away to the
Lincolnshire Bombers, at Boston Town FC, if you would like details of how to
get to this ground please feel free to contact the Hornets through www.hullhornets.com/contact.
Photos courtesy of Hull Hornets.
