Warriors sneak by Admirals

Posted in: South Wales Warriors, BAFL 2    By Tim Macy Jun 9, 2008 - 2:49:26 PM

South Wales Warriors 19 Plymouth Admirals 12

The Warriors made heavy work of their trip to Plymouth this Sunday turning in a mediocre performance but still showing the resolve needed to win the game.

One a perfect day for gridiron, the Warriors got off to a horrible start with the Admirals returning the opening kick off 90 yards for a touchdown giving the home team a 6-0 lead. The first quarter then turned into a field position battle with some directional punting from Dave Young pinning the Admirals inside their 20 yard line on several occasions. Unfortunately the Warriors’ offense were unable to take advantage of the field position gains and the quarter ended 6-0 to the Admirals.

 The second quarter eventually saw the Warriors’ offense move deep into Admirals’ territory with some elusive running from Martin Tranter and a nice catch and run by Richie Cochrane on third and long which left the Warriors facing fourth and 1 just outside the Admirals 10 yard line. Unfortunately the fourth down run was stuffed and the half ended with the Admirals on top 6-0.

Nic Yeubury

Coach McKay had some choice words for his squad at half time and on their second possession of the third quarter a nicely executed swing pass from quarterback Chris Taylor to Cochrane gained 35 yards to the Admirals’ 3 yard line. On first and goal, the Warriors’ offensive line consisting of Mike Taylor, Jon Price, Ken Hughes, Tim Macy and Nic Yeubrey did their job to a man and allowed Tranter to turn the corner and score. The conversion attempt was no good leaving the score tied at 6-6.

On the ensuing Admirals possession, the Warriors’ defense, with linebacker Geraint Roberts leading by example, forced the Admirals to punt and a short kick gave the Warriors excellent field position. The Warriors now delved deep into their playbook and a quarterback keeper around left end found Chris Taylor ripping off a huge 50 yard gain to the Admirals 12 yard line. A first down run by Tranter and then a powerful sweep from Paul Jarvis put the ball at the Admirals 1 yard line. On first and goal quarterback Taylor followed centre Ken Hughes into the endzone giving the Warriors their first lead of the day. Tom Wilson’s point after was good making the score 13-6. There was no further scoring in the quarter.

The fourth quarter found the Admirals deep in their own territory following an offensive holding call and on a fourth down punt from their 10 yard line Tim Macy and Sandy Deacon sandwiched the Admirals’ punter and tackled him for a loss at the 3 yard line. On first down Martin Tranter, following a bone crushing block by Ian Buckland, found the endzone to score his second touchdown of the day. The conversion was no good leaving the score at 19-6 to the Warriors.

The shell shocked Admirals, now needing a big play to turn momentum in their favour, decided to chance a risky fourth down play from their 35 yard line, luckily for the Warriors’ the Admirals seemed to disregard Ken Hughes’ presence in the ‘A gaps’ and the big Welshman stuffed the ball carrier for no gain. Unfortunately the Warriors’ offense could not take advantage of the good field position and a 30 yard field goal attempt by Wilson was blocked.

The Admirals now decided to make a game of it again and some strong running and fine pass completions put the ball inside the Warriors’ 15 yard line. The Warriors’ defense stiffened again and at fourth and long the Admirals looked finished but a looping pass took advantage of a missed assignment on the Warriors’ defense and brought the score to 19-12.

Richie Cochrane

A series of penalties on the Warriors’ next possession left them in a hole but a long punt by Young put the ball inside the Admirals 15 yard line. The Admirals were again marching down the field but Warriors’ newcomer Greg Braney made his second interception in as many weeks to stop a promising Admirals drive.

The Admirals’ offense had one more opportunity to tie the game but again the Warriors’ defense held, with cornerback Warren Coombes coming up with the game ending interception. After the game Coach Mackay, challenged his players to pick up the intensity of their game. The game MVPs were Offense: running back Richie Cochrane (pictured, left), Defense: linebacker Geraint Roberts, Special Teams receiver/punter Dave Young and offensive lineman Jonathan Price for the lineman.

The Warriors now return to their Roath Park training ground where they will hold three training sessions before their next road trip to the Reading Renegades on the 21^st June.

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