Saints Go Marching On With Win Over Blitz

Article by Bury Saints

 

The Bury Saints, playing their first ever game in Stowmarket, held off a fierce second half fight back by the London Blitz to continue their winning streak on Sunday.

Bury scored on their first possession as a 33yd run by RB Derek White set up RB Ramsey Orr to dive in for the opening score from 3yds out. The Blitz responded immediately with a 39 yard pass to take a 7-6 lead. Things got worse for the Saints, who were already missing a number of key players, when QB Derek Harrington was injured on their next drive and had to sit out for the rest of the game.

With former Lancashire Wolverines Colt Cameron Stewart, playing in his first game for the Saints, now at QB the Green and Gold took control of the second quarter. Bury regained the lead when Rookie OLB Matt Trede, who only joined the team two weeks ago, kicked a 34yd FG to make the score 9-7.

The defence, led by LB Jesse Carlos and Safety Michael Galindo, pinned the Blitz down at their own 6yd line on the next drive and a 21yd punt return by DB Troy Cockerill gave the offence the ball inside London’s half. Nine plays later, including an 18yd run by RB Chris May, RB Jake Swisher ploughed into the end zone for his fifth TD of the season. Trede’s extra point attempt sailed through the posts to give the Saints a 16-7 lead.

A sack by DE Spencer Renfro and great coverage by CB Rob Giles prevented London from scoring for the rest of the half and a fumble recovery by Cockerill set up the home sides next score. A 12yd hook up between QB Stewart and RB Derek White followed by a 12yd run by RB Ramsey moved the ball to the Blitz 15yd line from where RB May swept in for an excellent TD. The extra point kick was missed but the Saints went into the break leading 22-7.

London’s fight back started on their second drive of the 3rd Quarter when they ended an excellent fifteen play drive with a 6yd run. The extra point was missed and the score stood at 22-13. Bury soon returned their lead to 15 points when RB Michael Sternberg, another playing in his first game for the Saints, sprinted 55yds for the score. Mixing the run with the pass London embarked on another long drive only to see it stopped by a crucial 4^th down tackle by DE Ryan Waters at the Bury 9yd line as the quarter ended.

Strong running by RB’s Orr, Swisher and May soon moved the ball into the London half early in the 4^th Quarter. But silly mistakes and good defence ended the drive and an excellent punt by Trede saw the Blitz start their next drive at their own 9yd line. Despite the bad field position, the London offence was now at full speed and it wasn’t long before they were back on the score board with a 34yd pass. The two extra points attempt was successful and Bury now had a narrow 28-22 lead.

A penalty on 3rd down ended the Saints next drive after only four plays. But another superb punt by Trede pinned London at their 10yd line to set up an exciting climax to the game.

Once again, London’s mix of run and pass plays had the Saints defence on the back foot and an excellent 29yd scramble by the Blitz QB moved the ball into the Bury half as the game entered its last two minutes. A short London gain was followed by a crucial tackle by DE Renfro who dropped the Blitz RB for a loss of 4yds. London went to the air on 3^rd down but the pass fell incomplete. On 4^th down DE Fabian Mitchell hauled down the Blitz ball carrier short of the 1^st down Marker. The Saints Offence took the field and ran out what little time was left on the clock to secure the win.

 

Saints Head Coach, Chris Wallis, reflected, “We came away with the win but it didn’t feel like it immediately afterwards. But upon reflection, considering the players we were missing, and the injuries we picked up during the game, it’s a good result for us.

I’m really pleased with those players who stepped in for this game. We had three players in their first game for the Saints who all made major contributions. A special mention needs to go to Matt Trede. He only joined us a few weeks ago and to kick like that under that kind of pressure was very impressive.

 Obviously it’s nice to remain unbeaten. But we have to be honest with ourselves and understand that we need to improve and stop making things so difficult for ourselves.

 That shouldn’t take anything away from the London Blitz. As you’d expect from the Blitz organization, they came up and gave us a real battle and must feel disappointed not to get more from the game.”

 The Saints next game is this Sunday the 31^st May when they host their close Suffolk rivals the Ipswich Cardinals.

 Wallis continued, “Last year’s Suffolk Derby was another close encounter. The form book goes out of the window for rivalry games and we know that the Cardinals will come ready to play tough football.”

  Full details of the game will appear on the Saints website at BURY SAINTS and their social media sites.