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The Coventry Cassidy Jets have arrived in Innsbruck for their
Eurobowl quarter-final showdown versus the Swarco Tirol Raiders. After the hard
fought victory in Oslo the Jets are still carrying several injuries and many
players will be game time decisions. The main cause for concern is on the
defensive line. Alvin Messam and Matt Barrett are still months away from a
return to action whilst Mark Connolly is likely to miss out with a virus.
After scoring his first touchdown of the season in Oslo wide receiver James
Hossack later fractured a wrist on kick off and will spend his birthday back in
Leicester. Fellow wideout Jeremy Simms is also struggling to be ready for kick
off but will no doubt suck it up for the team with Dominic Olney ready to step
in and take up the slack in an emergency. It’s not all bad news though; the
Jets trio of running backs have come through training and will be available.
Simon McEvoy returns at centre allowing Andrew Smith to return to his favoured
position at guard. The defensive backfield that starred against the Vikings is
at full strength. Adam Biggs will suit up alongside Ahmed Hashim and Dominic
Olney with James Luce and Dave Cowen ready to step in for nickel packages. Paul
Newey and Alistair Bailey are concerns at linebacker with Adewale Oyemade also
dinged up from the bruising encounter two weeks ago.
If the Jets pass the Austrian test they will face a trip to either Paris or
Stuttgart as the Cournerve Flash face off against the Stuttgart Scorpions. The
semi-final tie is scheduled for the 31st of May when the Cassidy Jets are due
in Scotland to take on the East Kilbride Pirates. Between now and then the
British season gets into full swing with the Jets hosting local rivals the
Birmingham Bulls on the 18th and a final re-match with the London Blitz on the
24th.