The Colchester Gladiators ended 23
years of hurt, Sunday, when they defeated the previously unbeaten London
Olympians for the first time since 1986.
The game kicked off late as the conclusion of the
Gladiators Youth team game was delayed for some minutes due to an injury, but
it was a game worth waiting for. Playing in front of their biggest crowd of the
season, the Gladiators did not disappoint, coming up with four key turnovers
and over 300 hard earned rushing yards.
The Olympians started well though, driving down the
field on their first possession, but the home defense dug deep, forcing a
fumble which was recovered by Phil Moreton. Rich Thomas and Alex Robinson
picked up first downs but the drive stalled, forcing a punt. The Olympians
returned the favour after Scott Taylor knocked down a long pass attempt. The Gladiators
then drove to the Olympians’ 12 but the fourth down play was stopped, turning
the ball over to the visitors as the quarter ended scoreless.
The Olympians’ joy was short lived however, and
just two plays later, another fumble was recovered by the Gladiators’ Paul
Brunsden. Colchester made the most of the short field when Robinson scored from
14 yards out. Rich Thomas kicked the extra point to open up a 7-0 lead. The
Gladiators were gifted another short field after good work by the defense forced
a punt. A low snap was fielded by the Olympians’ punter but his knee touched
the ground, ending the play. However, they failed to add to their score when
Robinson was tackled short of the first down marker on fourth down. After
another exchange of punts, the Londoners had one final drive before the half
time break, and through a combination of strong runs and short passes, drove to
the home 18. With time running out, the London quarterback found his receiver
over the middle for a first down on the three but time expired before they
could get another play off, preserving the 7-0 Colchester lead.
Colchester received the ball to start the second
half, and great blocking by the offensive line enabled running backs Beckford,
Thomas, new signing Matt Excell and Beckford again, to rattle off four
consecutive first downs. Beckford finished the efficient drive with a 16 yard
score. Thomas slotted the point after to double the lead to 14-0. The visitors hit
straight back though, driving 69 yards in eight plays when quarterback Neale
Canning found a receiver for a six yard score. The two point pass was good to
close the gap to six points at 14-8.
The Londoners took the lead for the first time
early in the fourth quarter, making light work of the 57 yards they needed as
Canning again threw for the score, from 13 yards out, to tie it at 14. The run
conversion attempt was successful and added another two points to their score,
and with the momentum now in their favour, were celebrating getting their noses
in front The 2009 Gladiators are a determined group however and they responded
in style, with Beckford running in from 28 yards out for his second score of
the day. Thomas was again perfect with the kick and the Gladiators had regained
the lead at 21-16.
The sterling efforts by the offense fired up the defense
and they stole their third turnover when Duncan Flack intercepted Canning. The
momentum shift was completed when Beckford scored his third, from 12 yards,
just three plays later, and Thomas’s kick increased the score to 28-16.
With time ticking down, the Olympians looked for
the home run pass but safety Nick Foxley picked off Canning to give the ball
back to the offense. Beckford and Robinson drove the ball to the Olympians’ 18
where the drive stalled and Thomas’s 33 yard field goal attempt was narrowly
wide, but valuable time had been taken off the clock. Canning had no option but
to pass, but the rejuvenated Gladiators defense did not allow another
completion and time expired to confirm a great win.
Leo Beckford finished with 188 yards from 18
carries and three touchdowns as the Gladiators recorded their first regular
season win over the eight time national champions, and only their second all
time.
Head Coach Matt Roberts was delighted after the
game, his biggest win as a head coach so far. He said, “We always knew today
was going to be tough, and the O's certainly didn't let down their side of the
deal. The O's had a bigger squad physically and numerically and really know how
to play. We started strongly and with the second score coming quick in the third
quarter we looked strong, but they came back, got two scores and took the lead.
This really is where the guys showed what they're made of. Offensively we dug
deep, led by the offensive line who did an amazing job and started getting
points on the board. Defensively we had our hands full, the O's were always
capable of breaking a big play but we hung in there, did the job we had to do
and to hold them to only 2 scores is just rewards.”
”We now have to rest up, get back to training, break down the game film and
move forward from here, but it's great to have the bragging rights of the
division, and hopefully make sure the road to the final will have to come
through Colchester!”
The Gladiators now prepare for their rescheduled
game against the East Kent Mavericks or the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders.