Report by Chris Wallis
Photos courtesy of William G Watson
In a thrilling triple overtime 22-20 win over the Sussex Thunder, the Bury Saints remained unbeaten and
advanced to the Division 2 National final, The
Rose Bowl, at Hinkley, Leicestershire this Sunday.
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| RB Scottie Curry warming up |
Bury opened the game and, helped by strong running by RB’s Derek White and Chris May, soon moved
the ball to the Sussex 16yd line. RB Jake
Swisher then powered his way to a 1st Down at the 6yd line. Further runs by
White, Swisher and QB Fred Boyle
failed to break into the end zone.
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| Coaches sharing a pre game joke |
The Saints attempted a Field Goal on 4th Down but the kick
was blocked. But a penalty against the Defence gifted Bury with another 1st
Down at the Thunder 3yd line. So, once again, Bury tried to smash the ball home
for the opening score of the game. But the Thunder Defence rose to the
challenge by holding firm at their own 3yd line.
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| RB Derek White on a run |
Inspired by their Defence, Sussex quickly drove down the
field to the Saints 5yd line in six plays. But, just as it looked as if they
would take the lead, DT Shaz Begg
stuffed a run play and DE Fab Mitchell
stripped the ball from the Sussex RB and Bury had the ball again. But the
Offence was unable to take advantage and soon punted as the quarter ended with
the game scoreless.
Starting at their own 42yd line, Sussex broke for a big run
to the Saints 33yd line on 1st Down. Good defence by LB Adam Griffin and DT Dan
Vicsik forced a 3rd Down situation, but 19yd pass had the
Thunder threatening to score again. CB Josh
Turner broke up a pass attempt and a crucial tackle by DT Derek Wennersten set up LB Chris Smith to block a Field Goal
attempt to keep the score 0-0.
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| LB Chris Smith (51), and DL Spencer Renfro (59) in pursuit of Thunder RB |
Bury started from their own 20yd line and methodically
worked their way down the field behind Swisher, White and May. But once again,
the Sussex Defence toughened up when it needed to and stopped the Saints on 4th
Down at their own 19yd line.
Sussex would not be denied this time and, mixing run and
pass plays, powered home from the Bury 4yd line for the go ahead score in eight
plays. The extra point kick was good for 7-0 lead.
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| LB Jesse Carlos (54, and DL Spencer Renfro (59) after theThunder QB |
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| WR Evin Reese pulling in a catch |
The Green and Gold soon had the ball again as CB Willie Sloan intercepted a way ward
Sussex pass and returned it to the Thunder 30yd line. On 1st Down, QB Boyle
connected with RB May for 21yds to set up a field goal attempt as time ran down
in the first half. But this time the kick sailed wide and Sussex held on to
their one point lead going into the break.
Sussex had the ball first in the second half but an
interception by FS Donterio McIntosh
gave possession to Bury just inside their own half. The Saints offence
struggled against the tough Thunder defence and a QB sack forced them to punt
the ball away after just three plays. But Randell
Sorensen’s kick hit a Sussex player and RB Swisher pounced on the loose
ball to give the home side the ball at the Thunder’s 19yd line.
The Saints soon took advantage. A short run by RB White was
cancelled out by a penalty against Bury before QB Boyle connected with WR Reese
with a pin point pass from 22yds out. RB White ran in the two extra points to
give the Saints the lead, 14-7, for the first time in the game.
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| Qb Fred Boyle taking a snap |
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| CB Josh Turner attempting to top a Thunder TD |
LB’s Zach Hill
and Jesse Carlos, along with CB
Sloan, made crucial plays on Sussex’s next drive as the Thunder were stopped
short on 4th Down. But disaster struck for Bury as a mistake led to a fumble
that was recovered by Sussex at their 43yd line as the quarter ended.
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| Ol Kevin Greer and QB Fred Boyle celebrate some more points |
Pass completions of 8, 11 and 13yds helped move the ball to
the Saints 9yd line from where Sussex powered home for the touchdown. The extra
point was good and the game was tied at 14-14.
Bury were forced to punt again and, with momentum firmly and
their side, Sussex were soon threatening the Saints end zone. Led by LB’s
Carlos and Griffin, the defence stood firm and Sussex missed a 26yd field goal
attempt. Both teams had one more drive each but failed to break the tie and the
game went into sudden death overtime.
Sussex won the toss and had the first opportunity to score,
but they missed another field goal, and the Saints took the field needing a
score to win the game. A 6yd Run by RB May was followed by a 7yd sprint by RB
White. RB Swisher picked up 4yds to move the ball to the Thunder 8yd line
before the Sussex defence stepped up and forced Bury to attempt a field goal to
win the game. But, even though the kick failed, a penalty against Sussex gave
Bury a 1st Down at the 4yd line. Yet again, the Sussex defence performed
heroics and were rewarded as the Saints kicking woes continued with another
botched field goal attempt.
Bury started the second period of over time with the ball
but a fumble ended that drive after only two plays. Sussex took over possession
and combination of strong runs and penalties against the Saints moved the ball
to the Bury 1yd line. On the next play Sussex looked certain to have won the game
with a touchdown run. Another penalty, this time against the Thunder, negated
the score and moved the ball out to the 16yd line. A tackle by CB Josh Turner and mistake by Sussex moved
the ball further out to the 23yd line before FS Michael Galindo picked off a pass to end the drive.
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| RB Derek White on a run |
The Saints had the ball again as the game went to its third
period of overtime and the tension grew. Bury kept the ball on the ground and
powered their way to the Sussex 3yd line in four plays. RB Swisher was stopped
for no gain before he powered over the left side of the line for a touchdown.
QB Boyle ran in the crucial two extra points for 22-14 lead.
Sussex now had to match the score on their next drive to
save the game. Anything less and the game would be over. Starting at the Saints
25yd line, Sussex threw an incomplete pass on 1st Down. Two runs picked up
another 1st Down at the Bury 15yd line. Another incomplete pass was followed by
15yd touchdown throw to narrow the score to 22-20.
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| Players celebrate at final whistle |
With nerves at breaking point, Sussex now needed to convert
the two extra point attempt from the 3yd line to keep the game alive. But as
the Sussex QB rolled to his right and sped towards the Bury end zone, DE Rob Love and LB Hill broke free and
combined to drag him down short of the goal line to end the game to the elation
of the Bury sideline.
A jubilant, and very relieved, Bury Saints Head Coach, Chris Wallis said, “WOW......just
WOW! What an incredible game! The tension was unbearable at the end!
Both Teams missed opportunities to win outright earlier in the game
and, in reality, the game could have gone either way. It was a brilliant game
to be part of and show cased everything that was good about British American
Football. Amateur players giving everything they’ve got and leaving it all on
the field. Brilliant....absolutely brilliant!
We got everything we expected from Coach Ellis and his Sussex Team. I
genuinely feel for the whole Thunder organisation and it’s a long journey home
after losing game like that!
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| Cheerleaders celebrate at final whistle |
But I’m so, so proud of my players. They never gave up, even when
things looked pretty desperate, and kept battling right to the end. We’ve come
a very long way in just twenty six months!”
The Saints have just seven days to recover before they take
on the Bristol Apache, who beat the Kent Exiles 35-34 in their semi final,
on Sunday 13th September in the Final.
Wallis concluded, “Bristol had a great result in the semi final
and we know that they are a very tough physical team. We have a lot to do
between now and next Sunday, but it’s the same for both teams and we’ll prepare
just the same as we have done for every game this season.”
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