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Chester Romans 14-14 Lancashire Wolverines
The Chester Romans maintained their undefeated
start to the season with a draw at Lancashire Wolverines. The Romans came away
from this fixture in Blackburn last season with a 48-0 loss against a well
drilled team. This game though, possibly Lancashire were the team happier with
a draw after The Romans twice took the lead and had the better chances to win
it.
The game started neither offense really gaining
much ground, both teams failing to get out of their respective half off the
field on their opening two drives. Lancashire punted the ball away after their
second drive with Michael Wood returning the punt for 5 yards over the Romans
20 yard line, on first down a well executed play, called in by offensive
co-ordinator Eric Horstman between quarterback Jason Wilcock and receiver Glyn
Chadwick, saw Chadwick weave his way through the Wolverine defense down the
sideline, the combination of good Roman blocking and Chadwick’s pace saw him
race 76yards into the endzone for the opening score. Rookie French kicker,
Nadgy Khirat converted the extra point to give the Romans a 7-0 lead.
Lancashire tried to respond straight away mounting a drive down to Chester’s 15
yard line, but the Lancashire quarterback was intercepted by Nadgy Khirat at the
Romans 4 yard line, much to the delight of the Chester sideline. Unfortunately
for the Romans, just two plays later, following a 25 yard dash by Jason
Wilcock, he was then intercepted by Lancashire. The Wolverines responded as
they mounted an 11 play drive, including converting on fourth down and five
yards to go, they moved the ball down to the Romans 3 yard line and ran the
ball straight through the roman defense, with the conversion the scores were
tied at 7-7.
Both teams moved the ball well on their next
possessions inside the second quarter but without anything to show for it, The
Romans had a field goal attempt tipped, which took the pace and power out of
the kick and it fell short. Lancashire failed to convert on fourth down
and 10, Matt Littler sacking the Wolverine quarterback and giving the Romans
the ball inside the opposition half. Eleven plays later, 5 of which were first
downs, the Romans had first and goal at The Wolverine 1 yard line. Quarterback
Jason Wilcock penetrated the Wolverine defense to break into the endzone and
give the Romans their second touchdown and lead of the day. Khirat converted
and the Romans led 14-7 at halftime.
The second half was a lot tighter, with neither
team giving up much on defense, the first two drives by each team failing
to materialise into points. Roman Mark Donald punted 41 yards to give
Lancashire the ball on their own 28 yard line. The Wolverines strung together a
decent drive, the key play being a 38 yard reception by a wide receiver, 2
plays later another passing play caught the Roman defense napping resulting in
a 15 yard touchdown to the home team, with the extra point tagged on the game
was all square at 14-14 at the end of the third quarter.
Chester looked as though they were going to break
the deadlock having recovered the ball through Graham Campbell on defense. The offense
took over in great field position on the Lancashire 21 yard line, a good 12
yard run on first down from James Tootle, who again finished with over a
hundred yards rushing on the day, gave Chester a first and goal at the 9 yard
line. The Romans were looking as though they were surely set for at least a
field goal, but 2 negative plays, a 2 yard loss followed by a 14 yard loss and
sack on quarterback Wilcock, pushed the Romans out of field goal range and 2 in
completed passes saw the Romans turn it over on downs. Neither team came close
after that , Mark Donald powered another 40 yard punt deep inside the Wolverine
half and with 1 minute and no timeouts left the home team could only reach
midfield before time ran out. A deserved point for Chester having twice taken
the lead and having the field goal tipped and then unfortunately being pegged
back late on to deny another field goal attempt, The Romans will feel as though
they could have won this.
They take their new positive attitude back to
Chester next week for their first home game of the season where they will play
Glasgow Tigers. Kick off is 14:30 at Chester RUFC, entrance is free and the
team hope to see a bumper crowd turn up to support the Romans.