Knights gain entry to playoffs with rout of East Kent

Game Report by Farnham Knights

 

Photos courtesy of Alison Berrisford

 

Farnham Knights 50 East Kent Mavericks 0

 

The Knights confirmed their place in the post season play offs with a shut out victory over the visiting East Kent Mavericks.

 

The Mavericks had the first possession and Knights Defensive Lineman Luke Bridcutt set the tone on the first play with a Quarterback sack that set the visitors back 6yds. The Knights defense shut down the Mavericks and they were forced to punt.

 

It took the Knights one play - with leading rusher Gareth Davies racing 38yds to score behind some crushing blocks from the full backs and Offensive Line. John Symons reliably kicked the extra point and the Knights led 7-0

 

The Knights Defense was in a mean mood and a quick 3 plays and a punt saw the home team back in possession.

 

This time it took the Knights Offense 6 plays to score with Dan Seaborne, Paul Wakeford and Nick Roope carrying the load. It was Canadian Full Back Dan Seaborne who finished the drive with a 9yd run for his first Knights touchdown. John Symons added the extra point and the Knights led 14-0

 

Although the Mavericks had a small squad they played throughout the game with a tough resolve and they sustained a longer drive on their next possession before being forced to punt again.

 

The Knights Offense took over for their 3rd possession and their third score - it took just two plays this time as Paul Wakeford broke clear for a 49yd scoring run - the longest run for the experienced Full Back since his Tail Back days in the early 2000's !. John Symons tacked on the conversion and the Knights stretched their lead to 21-0

 

The Mavericks put together a good 10 play drive to move deep into Knights territory but great pass defending from the Knights secondary led by Joe Criddle saw them halted at the 18yd line - the visitors went for 3 points from a Field Goal - but Dan Hatcher making a return from injury managed break through the kickers protective wall to block the kick.

 

The blocked ball was recovered by the Knights on the 10yd line. Two of the Knights Junior team graduates made it a two play scoring drive from there- first Henry Schoen picked up 3yds on the ground then Quarterback Oli De Ruyter found one of his favourite targets Michael Bradley-Banszki for 77yd catch and run touchdown. Symons added the kick and things looked bleak for the visitors as they trailed 28-0 as the first quarter ended.

 

But the Mavericks showed great spirit and although they didn't manage to score they did hold up the Knights progress as the home team used the depth of their squad. The Mavericks did threaten the home end zone on one good drive - but cornerback Matt Marriott stepped in at the one yard line to intercept a pass - his 2nd pick off of the season.

 

So with the teams exchanging possessions a scoreless 2nd period led to a 28-0 half time scoreline.

 

The Knights had the ball first in the 2nd half and it was Gareth Davies who gave the crowd a sense of deja-vu as he completed a one play scoring drive with a sensational 70yd run for a touchdown (completing his 3 carry 40yd average day!). Paul Wakeford ran in the 2 point conversion and the Knights led 36-0

 

This margin kicked in the leagues mercy rule and a running clock for the rest of the game - the first half had featured 106 plays - the second was destined for just 43.

 

The Mavericks  used up 5 on their next drive - but the resolute Knights defense forced them to punt the ball away.

 

Kieron Helps came into the backfield led by Full Back Simon Burnell who was making his season début after a short break from football. It was Burnell who took the ball to pay dirt on the 3rd play of the drive from 12yds out. The Knights 2 point conversion failed at the home team led 43-0

 

The visitors were forced to punt again as the 4th quarter started and Henry Schoen and Dan Seaborne  brought the Knights deep into Mavericks territory - Kieron Helps carried twice - the final carry from 1yd to score his first rushing touchdown for the Knights - Paul Wakeford added the 2 point conversion and the score was rounded out to 50-0

 

The Knights defense put the final key stats on the board with an interception from Jack Truelove following a sack for Rezz-J Wills and Ben Monk

 

Knights Head Coach Steve Rains said  "This win puts us into the play offs - we must now focus on playing the other two leading teams in the Division to secure the #1 seed.

 

Credit to the Mavericks for coming a long way to play us with 24 players on a very warm day they never stopped fighting for a score and despite the scoreline they gave us a good test"

 

OFFENSE:	DEFENSE:
Passing:	J Criddle 5S 1A D Francis 2S 2A A Gillard 2S 2A D Hatcher 3A M Marriott 2S 1A + 1Int J Vince 1S 2A B Monk 1S 2A + 1Sack G Tomlinson 2A S Laws 2A J Truelove 1S + 1Int L Bridcutt 1A + 1 Sack S Burnell 1S A Makinen 1S C James 1S S Price 1A C Goodall 1A P Stubbs 1A M Gumas 1A R Wills 1Sack
O De Ruyter 3 of 9 for 90yds  1TD A Reid 0 of 1 for 0yds
Receiving:
M Bradley-Banszki 1 for 77yds 1TD S Wills 1 for 8yds B Poppy 1 for 5yds
STATS:
G Davies 3 for 120yds 2TD D Seabourne 4 for 64yds 1TD P Wakeford 2 for 57yds 1TD K Helps 7 for 50yds 1TD  N Roope 4 for 46yds S Burnell 2 for 13yds 1TD H Schoen 4 for 10yds S Wills  1 for  4yds
KICK OFF RETURNS
OFFENSE TOTALS:
KNIGHTS:
Rushing 27 for 364yds  6TD Passing 3 of 10  for  90yds 1TD TOTAL 37 for 454yds  7TD