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GAME 1 SHARKS UNABLE TO SINK TEETH INTO THRASHERS
Hampshire Thrashers back to their winning ways... The Hampshire Thrashers American Football Team began their 2010 season, travelling all the way to Newquay Cornwall, to face their bitter rivals, the Cornish Sharks. The Thrashers, the Winchester District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance's 2009 Team of the year, looked to build on their previous year's success and accomplish a feat which they have never done. Since being founded in 2003, the Thrashers have never been able to best their rival in Cornwall. A game long in waiting, due to the previous year’s match having to be cancelled due to not having any referees available. This much anticipated match up pitted what many consider to be the top two teams of the BAFA Division 2 West conference of the British American Football Association Community League.
The Thrashers started off defensively dominating the Sharks, forcing them to punt the ball away to the Thrashers on the first possession of the game; an event which was set to be the theme of the day. The Sharks were out to prove that they weren't to be taken lightly, pushing the Thrashers to a 4th down punting situation, where a highly unexpected punt fake run by kicker Dom Williams, the Thrashers where able to obtain a first down. The high power offense of the Thrasher's took advantage of this, with quarterback Nick Watson connecting to receiver Rikki Lear for the first score of the game. With the lead, the Thrashers went back on defense, and continued to control the Shark's offense, again forcing them to punt the ball away. The Shark's followed suit, and stopped the Thrashers from obtaining a first down, thus getting the ball back. Not to be outdone, the Thrasher defense turned up the intensity and forced a Shark's turnover. Thrasher safety Manny Ferreira intercepting a pass from the Shark's quarterback, returning it to the 15 yard line, set up another touchdown pass from Nick Watson to receiver Paul "Toast" Brady. Missing the extra point attempt, the score stood at 13-0, Thrashers over the Sharks.
With the score being the same after halftime, the Cornish Shark's made adjustments on both sides of the ball and in the third quarter were able to drive the ball down the field, with a little help from some penalties on the Thrashers defense, finally put the ball in the end zone. Not having a kicker available the Shark's successfully completed a two point conversion, putting the score at Thrashers 13, Sharks 8.
The rest of the game, both defenses clamped down the opposing offense, with the Shark's scoring a safety putting the score at 13-10 in favor of the Thrashers, and the Thrasher's creating several more turnovers. The Shark's had the ball with under four minutes remaining in the game, and less than 40 yards away from scoring the game winning touchdown, the Thrasher's defense where able to put together one of their strongest stands of the game, knocking the Sharks over 20 yards back from the original line of scrimmage, and securing a tough fought victory in a place it has never been achieved.
Offensive leader's included QB Nick Watson who attempted 21 passes, completing 8 for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns; WR Rikki Lear catching xx passes for xx yards and a touchdown; WR Paul "Toast" Brady catching xx passes for xx yards and a touchdown. Defensive leaders included NT David "Moose" Senart with 4 solo tackles 3 of which were for a loss of yards, and 10 assisted tackles; S Manny Ferreira with 3 solo tackles, 1 of which were for a loss of yards, and 8 assisted tackles; Rob Bloodworth with 4 solo tackles, 2 of which were for a loss of yards, 6 assisted tackles, 3 forced fumbles with 1 fumble recovery. WR Rikki Lear received the offensive MVP of the game, LB Rob Bloodworth received the defensive player of the game, Dom Williams received special team’s player of the game, and Coach's MVP of the game went to Manny Ferreira.
The Hampshire Thrashers continue their quest for a championship in 2010 next Sunday, the 9th of May away to Gloucester, before playing their first home game of the season on the 23rd of May at the Winchester Rugby Club, where admission is free and all are welcome to come and enjoy the game GAME 2 BANSHEES WAIL AS THRASHERS SOAR Local American Football team, the Hampshire Thrashers, continued their winning ways, beating the Gloucester Banshees away Sunday, the 9th of May by a score of 41-12. While the defense picked up from where they left off in the previous week’s match, the offense finally started to fire on all cylinders.
Offensively the Thrashers where led by Quarterback Nick Watson who amassed 164 passing yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Deploying a running back by committee style, 6 different ball carriers totalled 138 yards on the ground, also scoring 3 touchdowns. Defensively, the Thrashers where able to force 6 turnovers; 4 via fumble and 2 interceptions by cornerback Josh Amis, who was named defensive MVP of the game. Offensive MVP went to Kyle Latore, while overall MVP went to Joe Kennard.
Even though the Thrasher’s have started with 2 consecutive victories, they still can’t help but feel that they still have some early season jitters, and still haven’t played up to their potential thus far. The Thrashers have a week off, before returning to action for their first home game of the season at the Winchester Rugby Club on the 23rd of May, hosting these same Gloucester Banshees. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
On one of the hottest days of the year so far, a team hot on the trail of revenge, where denied a victory yet again, as local American football team, the Hampshire Thrashers doubled up the Gloucester Banshees with an away victory two weeks ago, and a home victory Sunday the 23rd of May, by a score of 36-6.
Offensively, the Thrashers started out very poorly, only being able to muster a single score during the first half of the game. Defensively, the Thrashers continue to dominate their opponents, only giving up one score on a play where the Coach had started to switch some on field personnel, and while in transition, the away team took advantage and completed a long pass that went the distance for the score. This was the only time the Banshees where able to get close again the rest of the game. Going into half time, the score was tied 6-6.
After a half time lecture on the performance thus far, and some coaching adjustments, the Thrashers showed why they are the class of division 2 west of the BAFACL. On the Banshee’s first possession of the 2nd half, the Thrashers defense engulfed the visiting team, forcing an interception that set up the home team for a score. The very next drive was almost a mirror image, as another interception by the Thrashers turned into points. When the dust settled and the clock had stopped, the Thrashers defense only allowed 88 yards rushing, and 110 yards through the air, with 87 of those passing yards on the busted play previously mentioned. While the Thrasher’s offense took some time to find their rhythm, the defense pressured the visiting team, forcing a plethora of turnovers, with game MVP Josh Amis catching 3 interceptions on his own. In total the defense forced 5 interceptions, and recovered 3 fumbles, again showing why their one of the top defences in the league.
The Thrashers continue their journey for a National Championship Sunday, the 30th of may away to the Milton Keynes Pathfinders, before returning home on Sunday, the 6th of June, hosting a much improved Berkshire Renegade’s team. Kick off for the home game is set for 2:30 pm, at the Winchester Rugby Club. All are welcome and admission is free. GAME 4 MILTON KEYNES PATHFINDERS SEEM LOST The Hampshire Thrashers are off to a strong start of the season after notching their 4th victory in as many attempts against new division rival Milton Keynes Pathfinders. The Defense also scored their first shut out of a season with a final game score of 29 – 0 in favour of the Thrashers. Even with a strong first half showing of 111 yards by stand out wide receiver Kyle Latore, the Thrashers offense where unable to put any points on the board. Not to worry though as the defense, playing as dominant as ever, only allowed 20 yards in total offense to the opposition and only giving up 1 first down during the half. After the halftime adjustments were made, the Offense came out controlling the air, with wide receiver Paul “Toast” Brady catching 4 touchdowns in the second half of the game. Not to be outdone by the offense, the defense added a score of their own when rookie Lloyd Roberts sacked the Pathfinder’s quarterback in his own endzone for a 2 point safety. This is the first defensive score of the season for the Thrasher defense. When all the dust had settle and the final whistle blown, the Thrasher defense only allowed a total of 91 yards to the opponent, and intercepted more passes than the Milton Keynes quarterback was able to complete to his own receivers. Milton Keynes not only looked lost offensively, defensively in the second half, they were just unable to match up with the Thrashers as Hampshire accumulated a total of 218 yards through the air, and 55 yards on the ground. Next Sunday, the 6th of June, the Thrashers host the Berkshire Renegades, who are much improved over last year and are currently sitting in 2nd place in the division, with the winner of this game claiming rights to the top spot. Neither teams have lost this year, both offenses are high scoring, and both defences are lock down defences and something has to give. Come support your local American Football team, kick off is at 2:30pm at the Winchester Rugby Club. GAME 5 BERKSHIRE RENEGADES SUBDUED What promised to be an entertaining game between two rivals, turned out to be just that as the Hampshire Thrashers played host to the Berkshire Renegades on Sunday in a game of American football. Hampshire continuing the previous year’s form, coming into the game unbeaten atop their table, with Berkshire, much improved in second place. The winner would take first place. Both teams showed why they deserve to be on top, with both defensive sides creating havoc for the offenses. Strangely, it was Berkshire’s strong defense that set up the Thrashers first score of the game. The Thrasher’s offense was driving down the field when the Renegades intercepted a pass on their own 2 yard line. This gave the Renegades the ball deep in their own territory, allowing the even more aggressive Thrasher defense to capitalize. Two plays later, Thrasher defender’s Paul Whitefield and Pete Macey tackled a Renegade running back in his own endzone, which is called a Safety, giving 2 points to the Thrasher side, and giving them the ball back. This woke up the Thrasher offense, which in turned put 2 scores on the board before halftime to bring the score to 16-0 to the Thrashers. In the second half, Berkshire showed why they are undefeated. Their defense began to control the Thrasher’s offense again, not allowing any more points to be scored the rest of the game. This became a huge boon to their offense. Keeping the Thrashers offense off the field, mean that the Thrasher defense was on the field, and the more they played, the more tired they became. Play after play in the heat started to add up, and Berkshire where able to put up 2 scoring drives of their own in the second half bringing the score to 16-13. Berkshire attempted to regain possession on the final kickoff but where unable to, allowing the Thrashers to run out the rest of the clock, winning the game and bringing to their win/loss record to 5-0, while Berkshire dropped to 3-1. The Thrashers now have 3 weeks off, where they will host the Milton Keynes Pathfinders on June 27th at the Winchester Rugby Club, with a scheduled kickoff of 2:30pm. |
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Early in the 3rd quarter, the Thrashers defense forced yet another turnover by the Banshee’s setting up a 4 yard touchdown run by running back Rich Bloomer.
