Photo Credit - Mark Sandom
Ouse Valley Eagles 29 Farnham Knights 54
Both
teams went into this game with a 3-1 record in the ultra tight SFC Division 1.
The Knights knew that a win would put them back on top of the table - a defeat
could easily have spelt the end of their play off aspirations.
So
the team news before the fixture did not bode well - with a number of key
players out with injury or on exercise with their military units. The team is
however actively recruiting having picked up two excellent additions in
Canadian Full Back Dan Seabourne and DB/WR Ash-Lee James since the narrow loss
to Birmingham. They are also benefiting from the clubs commitment to the Youth
and Junior programme with many of the team being graduate Knights.
The
long road trip to Bedford - road closures for a charity run and an unusually
early kick off time all added to the potential difficulties with this fixture -
but the Knights have been working hard since the loss and were determined to
bounce back.
Rookie
kicker John Symons has added an element to the Knights armoury that was missing
last year and his opening kick off was a signal of his perfect day to come as
the kick pinned the home team down at their own 22 yd line. The Knights defence
lead by another genuine rookie Luke Bridcutt looked to have stopped the Eagles
on a quick 3 plays and out - but a penalty kept the drive alive - but just for
3 more plays.
Nick
Roope (a former Knights Junior) started at tailback in place of the injured
leading rusher Gareth Davies and two runs against an Eagle defense, clearly set
up to thwart the Knights power running attack, showed promise for the visitors.
Stacking defenders against the run however opens up the potential for the air
attack - QB Oli De Ruyter hit first year Junior team graduate Michael
Bradley-Banszki for a 62yd touchdown which was the launch pad for the young
receivers record breaking day. John Symons added the extra point and the
Knights lead 0-7
The
injury situation had left the visitors short of linemen and they substituted
bulk with speed in the form of their record holding running back Kingsley
Ejiogu who lined up at defensive end - the decision paid off on the next Eagle
drive as his quarter back sack brought the eagle to a stop.
The
Eagle defense - who before this game had only conceded 47 points in 4 games -
stopped the Knights on their next drive and kicker Symons now showed his
ability as a punter pinning the home team back on their own 8yd line. The
Knights defense closed down the Eagles again and the visitors had the ball
again as the first quarter ended.
The
Knights then embarked on a long drive that mixed pass and run with Ben Poppy,
Nick Roope and Michael Bradley-Banszki all contributing to the progress.
Kingsley Ejiogu came into the game for a cameo appearance at Running Back and
following the powerful blocking of the Knights Offensive line and full back Dan
Seabourne put the Knights in close scoring range. The Eagles defense stiffened
however and the visitors settled for a 25yd John Symons field goal - Knights
lead 0-10
The
Knights defense with Steve "Knocker" Price switched to middle
linebacker in place of the injured Dan Hatcher were in a punishing mood - and
they had to be as they stopped the Eagles only to see the Knights Offense
splutter and hand the ball back to them in good field position via the
interception of a De Ruyter pass.
Three
and out for the Eagles - but a second intercepted pass put the Eagles even
closer to scoring as they moved to the Knights 2yd line - the Knights held them
on 3 plays and this time on 4th down they set up for a Field Goal but Defensive
tackle Alexi Makinen broke through and blocked the kick - the half time score
was 0-10 which gave no clue to the 73 point scoring fest that was to come in
the second half.
The
Knights have , this season, been sluggish in the 3rd quarter but they cleared
that situation as they came out strongly in the first drive of the half with
Nick Roope in devastating form behind that powerful blocking. He broke open a
39yd gain followed by 13yds and then a touch down scoring 16yd run. John Symons
reliably added the extra point and the Knights lead 0-17
But
the Eagles had clearly been doing half time work of their own and a long pass
saw a catch and run by Wide Receiver Ross Hubbard pegging back the Knights lead
and the extra point conversion made it
7-17
Former
Texas High School star Ash-Lee Michael James put the Knights on their own 40yd
line with a solid kick off return and the Knights Offense went back to work
with a mix of pass and run. WR Ally Reid picked up good yardage on a 2nd down
reception and Nick Roope then carried the ball 27yds for his second TD of the
day. Symons kick was good and the Knights lead 7-24.
The
Eagles were stopped quickly on their next drive but Knights Defensive End Raymond
George was hurt in the process - the injury looked potentially serious and the
game was delayed while an ambulance was called. The excellent work of the
combined clubs medical staff ensured that all due precautions were taken,
thankfully the injury was not serious and Ray was released from hospital in
time to travel home with the team.
After
the delay the Knights had the ball again - Oli De Ruyter found his favourite
target on the day and Michael Bradley-Banszki took full advantage taking the
reception 68yds to the endzone. Nick Roope ran in the 2point conversion and the
Knights lead 7-32
The
Eagles started to get the ball moving on their next possession but a jarring
hit from Steve Price forced a fumble
which was recovered by another Knights Juniors first year graduate , Glenn
Tomlinson, to set the visitors up with the ball again.
Young
receiver Bradley-Banszki was in unstoppable form and De Ruyter found him again
for another huge touchdown pass - this time 62yds to pay dirt completing his hatrick of touchdowns and a
record breaking 214yd 3TD haul - the record had stood since 2003. it was
deja-vu as Nick Roope ran in the 2 point conversion and the Knights now lead
7-40.
The
Eagles next drive was making progress until Ash-Lee James stepped in to record
his first interception for the Knights in his début game for the team.
The
Knights brought in back up QB Ally Reid for the first opportunity to lead the
team since his return to the club from the Berkshire Renegades unfortunately
after a good start a problem with the Center/QB exchange saw the ball fumbled
and the Eagles had possession in good field position.
This
time the Eagles with American QB Justin La Roda under center made no mistake
and it was again the connection to WR Ross Hubbard that sealed the TD - La Roda
carried the ball for the 2 point conversion and the score stood at 15-40.
The
Knights were then caught on the hop with an onside kick which gave the home
team immediate possession again. Kingsley Ejiogu made an immediate impression
on the next play with what was described as similar to a cheetah bringing down
a gazelle as he darted through the attempted blocks to sack La Roda in the
backfield. That brought to an end a 45 point 3rd quarter.
The
Eagles however still had possession and drove steadily down the field as the
fourth quarter started - they finished off the drive with a rushing TD - but
this time La Roda was stopped on the 2 point conversion attempt and the Knights
lead was reduced to 21-40. This time the Eagles onside
The
Knights continued with Reid under center and were also using the full depth of
their squad. This time Reid directed a perfect scoring drive which culminated
in rookie running back Salim Ben-Romdhane sprinting 26yds into the end zone.
John Symons added the extra point to re-establish the Knights 5 score advantage
at 21-47
La
Roda and the Eagles were not finished however - despite the mountain to climb
the Eagles have established a reputation for come from behind wins. Having
found the end zone again on their next drive La Roda ran in the conversion for
a 29-47 scoreline.
The
Knights recovered the third onside kick attempt with Tom "Pieboy"
Roberts demonstrating that Offensive Linemen can use their hands for more than
just blocking.
Ally
Reid took control again and on 2nd down hit Knights star WR Stealy-J Wills for
an apparent 60yd touch down, however a penalty on the play wiped the score off
the record and the receivers protests to the officials led to him being ejected
from the game - which means also an automatic 1 game suspension.
The
Knights stalled following the penalty and the Eagles suddenly had the chance to
re-kindle their comeback aspirations. QB La Roda engineered a solid drive that
put the home team back in scoring range. This time however he threw in the
direction of the Knights star defensive back and leading interceptor Joe
Criddle who stepped in and added to his season total with an interception in
the endzone.
The
Knights took over and this time it was the full starting offense that returned
to the field. Nick Roope took the hand off from De Ruyter and broke free for a
long gain which set up his 38yd scoring run, making him the second hatrick
hero, John Symons completed his perfect day by adding the extra point and the
Knights extended the cushion to 29-54.
The
Eagles to their credit kept up their effort even though time was against them -
the Knights were still using their full squad and Kicker John Symons came in at
Defensive End to end a promising drive on a fourth down attempt. His tackle of QB
La Roda was followed by the Knights running out the clock for an emphatic win.
Head
Coach Steve Rains said "This was a fine performance after the
disappointment of the narrow loss to Birmingham. We now go back to the top of
the Division but the league is so competitive this year that only this level of
commitment will do in our remaining 5 games.
It
is particularly encouraging to see former Knights Juniors starring at this
level - both of our hatrick 200yd+ guys today were Knights Juniors - in fact
Mike only came up this year where Nick is a little more experienced.
Any
time you score 7 times and get over 600yds of offense you know you have little
to complain about - but there is always room for improvement"
The
Knights go to Cambridge next Sunday then have a week to prepare for their home
clash with the Hertfordshire Cheetahs on 28th June (Farnham Rugby club KO
2.30pm)
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