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The game
started well for the Renegades, as defensive back Ian Hiscock recorded his
third interception of the season to end the Admirals’ opening drive. The first
quarter was scoreless as both teams’ defenses took control, stifling the
offensive series.
Berkshire took the lead early in the second quarter, following an interception
by Duncan Scott. From just inside the Admirals’ half, running back Ian Lakin
ground the ball to the seven yard line, before Hollands scored his first BAFL
touchdown on a pass to receiver Sam Marshall. James Treherne’s point after kick
pinged off the upright and went over, giving the Renegades a 7-0 lead. The lead
lasted as long as it took Plymouth’s Tim Rogers to return the ensuing kickoff
71 yards untouched for the score. The two point conversion attempt was no good,
but the Renegades’ seven point lead had quickly been cut to just one.
Marshall looked to have duplicated Rogers’ feat as he scampered back and forth
across the field on his way to an 80 yard touchdown kick off return, but a flag
signalled a block in the back, and the Renegades were brought back to their own
39 yard line. More solid running from Lakin took the Renegades across the
halfway line, before Hollands connected with Phil Giddings, who made a
beautiful fingertip catch at full stride and raced in for a 36 yard score.
Treherne’s point after kick was short, but the lead had opened to seven points again,
13-6.
Scott recorded his third interception of the season on the next Admirals drive,
but Berkshire could do nothing with the ball and had to punt away. Simon
Pearce’s punt was pinpoint accurate, bouncing out of bounds at the Admirals’
one yard line. Berkshire’s defense didn’t let this opportunity pass; Plymouth’s
Kieran Luscombe was brought down in his own endzone for the two point safety
15-6. That was all the scoring for the first
half, and Martin McGuire rounded off things nicely for the Renegades, sacking
Samuel Newland for a loss of 6 yards to force a punt on the last play before
the break.
Berkshire started the second half in fine form. On the back of Lakin’s running,
and aided by a 16 yard reception by Pearce, the Renegades moved the ball to the
Admirals’ 24-yard line, before Hollands made his third touchdown pass, this
time finding Marshall for a 24 yard completion. Treherne’s point after kick was
good, and the lead was stretched to 22-6. Plymouth were by no means done for
the day though, and strong running from Richard Howlett saw them move the ball
49 yards in 6 plays, before Howlett capped off the drive by going over from a
yard out. Newland’s two point conversion pass to Rogers was good, and the game
had tightened up again, 22-14.
The evenly matched tussle continued for the remainder of the third quarter,
neither team gaining an upper hand. Berkshire scored the final points of the
day early in the fourth quarter, as Lakin got his just rewards for an
impressive performance at running back, crashing over a Plymouth defender to
break the plane on a 15 yard touchdown run. Hollands and Giddings combined for
the two-point conversion, and it was 30-14 to the Renegades.
With both teams’ defenses ending the day as they started it, firmly in control,
neither endzone was threatened again and Berkshire were able to celebrate their
second win of the season.