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Sussex Thunder 20 Norwich Devils 6
The Thunder made the long trek to
East Anglia following last week’s setback at the Sundevils, and with a dozen
players missing through injuries and absence it looked like a tough match-up.
But the Thunder spirit shone through as they produced their best overall
performance of the year so far. In warm but windy conditions the Sussex running
game kept the ball moving on offense, but the star of the show was again the
team’s defensive unit, who intercepted Devils’ quarterback Troy Schmigdall six
times in the second half and limited the home side to under 100 yards total offense.
With a strong crosswind, the name
of the game was run, run, run and both teams were cancelling each other out for
the majority of the first half. But approaching the break the Thunder seemed to
lose concentration when first, they gave away a big penalty for hitting the punt
returner after he signalled for a fair catch, this was followed by two more big
penalties which moved the Devils down to the Thunder three yard line from where
Schmigdall took full advantage by scrambling right into the corner for the
opening score. The extra point attempt was no good.
Harsh words on the Thunder
sideline followed and the combination of these and the touchdown turned the
game. From the kick off Adam Fishlock returned the ball into Norwich territory,
two power runs from Lance Nutley, an Eber Kington pass to Fishlock and further
runs by Nutley and Phil Allman put the Thunder on the Devils’ four from where
Kington found rookie receiver Matt Williams to tie up the scores. Chris
Percival kicked the point after to give Sussex the lead with the last action of
the first half.
After the break the Thunder’s
“Thor’s Hammer”, as its defense is known, moved into top gear. The Devils’
first possession was ended when Dan Cuthbert-Brown picked off Schmigdall, setting
the tone for the rest of the game. On their next drive Schmigdall threw
straight into the hands of Thunder safety Simon Pinchin, who with the endzone
looming failed to hang on to the ball. It didn’t make much difference as next
play Pinchin again broke up the play, this time claiming the interception to
give the Thunder possession.
A Kington fumble gave the ball
back to Norwich, but immediately linebacker Chris Percival gave Sussex their
third interception of the quarter. With a 20 yard completion to Fishlock and
strong running by Chris Lampey & Nutley, Sussex put themselves in scoring
range and Lampey duly found the endzone to extend the lead to 13-6 as the
fourth quarter started.
The screw was turned even tighter
when on the first play of the Devils’ next drive; Paul Nixon intercepted
another Norwich pass.
For once the
Thunder failed to move the ball, but yet again the Devils didn’t have it for
long, Andre Clarke nearly made interception number five but just failed to hang
on to the ball on fourth down and Norwich punted from their 24-yard line,
Thunder defensive lineman Kes Longhurst burst through the line to block the
kick, the ball rebounded back into the Devils’ endzone where Adrian Teague recovered
for his first touchdown in 18 years of senior football.
After two penalties on the extra
point the ball was moved back to the 23, which meant a 41 yard conversion
attempt. Percival stepped up and drove it straight down the middle to make the
score 20-6 in favour of the visitors.
Two further interceptions by
Carlos Gomes and Paul Nixon, his second, closed the game out. The win puts the
Thunder back into second place in BAFL 1 South and keeps them in the race for a
play-off place.
Sussex now enjoy a week off before
entertaining the Oxford Saints at Bewbush Leisure Centre on Sunday 6th
July.