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Colchester Gladiators 12 South Wales Warriors 21
The South Wales Warriors hosted the Colchester Gladiators
as the Wild Card round of the BAFL 2 play offs began.
Both teams were coming off great seasons and had high
expectations coming into what promised to be an enthralling match up.
Having finished with an impressive record of
9-1 in a tough division the Warriors were considered favourites coming into the
game but were given a frightening reminder of how tough a job they faced as
Colchester started the game much the better.
Stiff defense forced South Wales to punt after a solid
opening drive but barely had the Warriors defense taken the field before the
team found themselves in a hole 6-0 down.
On their very first offensive play Colchester went for some trickery and
caught the defense napping as they broke a 75 yard touchdown on a reverse.
Stung into action the defense responded as
linebacker Tim Macy stuffed the 2 point conversion attempt inches shy of the
goal line. The first half then developed into a war of attrition as defense
dominated proceedings and neither team were able to establish much
momentum.
High winds made the passing
game difficult for both teams and with both lines seemingly evenly matched the
game remained very much in the balance as the second quarter ended with the
Gladiators still leading by that all important early touchdown.
Stern words were needed at half time as South Wales faced
up to the possibility that their season was in jeopardy.
Head Coach James Mackay sought to rally his
troops emphasising how bitter a pill defeat here would be after such a great
regular season.
When the second half began, Colchester decided that it
would be more beneficial to them to have the wind in the fourth quarter and
conceded the first possession of the second half to the Warriors.
Somewhat fired up by the inference that the
Gladiators did not fear the South Wales offense, a different team emerged than
that of the first half.
All of a sudden
holes began to appear in the Colchester defense as the Warriors offensive line particularly
right guard Tim Macy and right tackle Jon Price began to get the upper hand on
their opponents.
A few good runs from quarterback David Pruett put the
Warriors into scoring range and when receiver Thom Rowlands found himself all
alone in the middle of the field, the pass from Pruett found the target and a
broken tackle saw Rowlands race to the endzone for his second touchdown in as
many games.
The successful extra point
saw the Warriors take the lead for the first time 7-6.
Seemingly energised by the raise in the performance level
of the offense the South Wales defense moved up a gear as well.
Strong pressure from the defensive line and
linebacking core forced an error on the Gladiators snap and the defense pounced
upon the loose ball. This brought the offense back onto the field already
within scoring range and they were not to disappoint.
A barnstorming run from full back Ian Buckland, including a
seldom seen hurdle, put the ball inside the Gladiators 1 yard line. A play
later, Buckland got the call again and duly converted for a well deserved
score.
The extra point was good making
the score 14-6 to the Warriors.
Momentum was now with South Wales but Colchester were not
finished yet. On their next drive the visitors began to move the ball
again.
Clever utilisation of
misdirection saw one of their runners break free and only a great hustle from cornerback
Craig Wilkinson and linebacker Sam Williams prevented the touchdown as he
chased down the breakaway runner.
It
proved to be a timely intervention as a few plays later the defense again was
able to fall on a loose ball put down by the Gladiator offense ending their
hopes of a tying score. With the wind still blowing hard along the field
Colchester looked to make the most of the perceived advantage as the fourth
quarter began.
However it was the
Warriors offense that struck as running back Deji Alli, fresh off his 3
touchdown performance against Maidstone, followed fellow running back Pete
Allott’s block and again showed his speed as he raced 70 yards for a score
putting the Warriors up 21-6.
With time becoming a factor in the match the Gladiators
were forced to go to the air and found some success.
A good drive led to them closing the gap as they piled over from
close range for the score.
Well aware
that a 2 point conversion would leave the gap at just one score Colchester went
for it.
The defense however remained
strong and when Warriors rookie Graham Armstrong Smith recovered the onside
kick attempt the celebrations could begin.
The Warriors closed out the match 21-12 and will now move on the face
the Cambridgeshire Cats in the divisional round of the play offs.