Bury cruise to 7-0, take sting out of Hornets

Game Report by Bury Saints

Photos courtesy of William G Watson

 

The Bury Saints remain unbeaten with a crucial 40-20 victory over nearest rivals, the London Hornets, on Sunday.

The game started with both defences on top with the teams exchanging punts on their first drives. With team Captain Jesse Carlos and DE Ryan Waters leading the way for the Saints the Hornets were forced to kick the ball back to Bury on their second drive as well.

 

Two short runs by RB Derek White moved the ball across the half way line and on the next play QB Fred Boyle threw deep to WR Brandon Faison for a 40yd touchdown to open the score. The extra point attempt was missed leaving the Saints with a 6-0 lead. But the Hornets responded immediately scoring with a long touchdown pass of their own on the very next play from scrimmage. The London extra point attempt failed and the score was tied at 6pts each at the end of the 1st Quarter.

 

Stung by the Hornets score, the Saints Defence regrouped and forced London to Punt after a short drive. Starting at their own 2yd line, the Saints took advantage of penalties and a 13yd run by RB Chris May to move the ball out to their own 29yd line. Once again QB Boyle went deep to WR Faison who out jumped the London Defender to catch the ball, broke two tackles and then sprinted home for his second touchdown of the game from 51yds out. The extra point was missed again and the Saints were 12-6 up.

 

Determined not allow London back into the game, it was the Saints Defence turn for a big play on the first play of the Hornets next drive as DL Randy Williamson, playing in his first game for the Saints, forced a fumble which was recovered by LB Chris Smith at the London 25yd line.

RB White broke for a 20yd run before being stopped at the Hornets 4yd line and three plays later he powered into the end zone for the Gold & Green’s third touchdown of the game. Yet again the extra points attempt failed giving the Saints an 18-6 lead.

 

With defence shutting down their ground attack, the Hornets went deep again but this time DB Donterio McIntosh intercepted the pass. But the Saints were unable to take advantage as they fumbled the ball themselves on the next play, giving London one last opportunity to score in the half. A completed pass moved the ball to the Saints 11yd line. The Hornets went to the end zone on the next play but Safety Troy Cockerill broke up the pass before it could be caught and then DE Fab Mitchell recovered a fumble as time expired in the half.

 

Both defences dominated at the start of the second half and it wasn’t until the deep into the 3rd Quarter that the Saints Offence started to move the ball. Solid runs by RB Jake Swisher were followed by a short pass completion to WR Faison and a penalty against London for a late hit on QB Boyle. Gains of 3, 2 and 5yds by RB May moved the ball to the Hornets 25yd line to end the quarter without the score changing.

RB Swisher broke for runs of 6 and 18yds to move the ball to the Hornets 1yd line from where he bulled his way in for a touchdown. Swisher also added the extra points and the Saints opened the final quarter with a 26-6 lead.

Led by LB Carlos, and great coverage by the Secondary, the Saints defence forced London to punt again on their next drive.

With Run attack shut down, QB Boyle went to the air on 3rd down and found WR Faison for a 27yd gain to the home sides 15yd line. RB White broke for an 11yd run before RB May swept home from 4yds out. Chris Smith kicked the extra points to give Bury a 33-6 lead.

 

With the result now out of the question the Saints players relaxed and took their eye off the task at hand for a short period. A long Hornets run for a touchdown, which brought the score back to 33-14, was followed by a Bury fumble that gifted London the ball deep in the Saints half.

Sensing the opportunity of a heroic comeback, London passed deep, but once again FS McIntosh intercepted the pass and returned it all the way to Hornets end zone for a score. Smith kicked the extra point to extend the Saints lead to 40-14. A long Kick Off return set up a final consolation score for the Hornets but the Saints were able to run the clock out on their next drive to end the game. 

 

Saints Head Coach, Chris Wallis, said, “We knew the Hornets were desperate to avenge their defeat earlier in the season and that we were going to get tough game. It wasn’t always pretty, but we went to London and did the job we had to.

I was impressed with the way we bounced back from our mistakes and went on to make big plays. The Defence did an excellent job of closing down the Hornets attack for most of the game. Our RB’s had to work hard for every yard. But we adjusted well and took advantage of the space they gave us with our pass attack.”

The Saints have no time to rest as they face Wembley Stallions at home in Stowmarket on the 5th July in another crucial game.

Wallis added, “We have been working really hard with our preparations for each game, and we must continue to do that. We know that all of our remaining opponents are capable of beating us and we’ll be taking each game as it comes.”