Article by Farnham Knights
Photos courtesy of Alison Berrisford
he Knights
secured home field advantage in the play offs with a rare tie in a nail-biting
contest at Farnham Rugby Club. The Thrashers placed 2nd in the league came
looking for revenge after the Knights beat them 38-30 in the first game of the
season - the game was as tight as everyone predicted it would be.
The Thrashers
had the ball first and completed their opening drive with a 25yd Touchdown pass
from Quarterback Dayle Greenfield to Wide Receiver Joe Pascoe. The Knights put
pressure on the extra point kick and as a result it missed wide left - and so
came the 1st issue that could be claimed as the deciding factor - the Thrashers
led 0-6
The Knights
Wide Receiver Stephen Godfrey was making his return after a long lay off due to
injury - it was dramatic as he raced 50yds with the kick off return to put the
Knights in great field position. The Knights offense powered its way the rest
of the required distance with strong runs from Gareth Davies and the final 1yd
run by leading scorer Nick Roope. John Symons confidently kicked the extra
point and after just one possession each the score stood at 7-6 to the Knights.
In Joshua Amis
the Thrashers have a genuine threat from anywhere on the field and the
Thrashers utility man showed his normal blazing speed and elusiveness to set
the Thrashers up in good field position after the kick off. The Knights Defense
led by Ash-Lee James dug in hard and the Thrashers were forced to punt.
In a shoot out
that might have been the 2nd turning point in the game. The Knights drove
confidently and runs from Gareth Davies and a penalty for pass interference
against Solent put them in great field position. It was the turn of the
Thrashers to dig in and the Knights were forced to go for a 27yd Field Goal
which John Symons converted - the Knights led 10-6 at the end of the first
quarter.
The Thrashers
put together a steady drive but the Knights Defense aided by a huge sack
(tackle of the QB for a loss) by Kingsley Ejiogu saw them facing 3rd down and
24yds to go - but a Knights penalty brought life back to their drive (the 3rd
turning point) and they took immediate advantage as QB Greenfield found his
favourite target Joe Pascoe for a go ahead score - this time the conversion was
good and the visitors led 10-13.
The Teams then
exchanged possession and the Thrashers
drove deep into Knights territory - stopped on 3rd down by some great Knights
defense they brought out their Field Goal unit - 4th turning point - the
Thrashers took too long in their set up and the subsequent penalty took them
out of range and they were forced to punt.
The Knights
took full advantage driving down the field with great runs by Paul Wakeford and
Nick Roope after taking over at their own 2yd line it was Roope who raced 15yds
into the end zone to put the Knights back in front and after John Symons extra
point kick the Knights led 17-13.
With little
time left in the half the Thrashers were not finished - they moved the ball
quickly through the air and with 32 seconds left in the half QB Dayle
Greenfield ran the ball in himself from 12yds out. The extra point attempt was
good and the visitors led 17-20 at half time.
The first game
between these two saw the lead change hands 6 times - with 5 swings already in
the first half this was destined to be a tight game with one mistake
potentially determining the result.
The ding dong
battle appeared to be continuing in the 3rd quarter as the Knights drove down
the field and star WR Stealey-J Wills caught the ball at the Thrashers 5yd line
and sprinted into the end zone with it, a Thrashers player then hit him and the
ball came out - controversially the officials then ruled it as an incomplete
pass - despite the Knights protests the ruling stood - film would later show
that the score should have been allowed. (The 5th turning point)
The Knights
were forced to punt and disappointment turned to disaster for the Knights as
under pressure punter John Symons was forced to hurry his kick which fell into the
hands of that man Joshua Amis and this time he went all the way for a touchdown
- the extra point was good and the Thrashers extended their lead to 17-27 (the
6th turning point)
Having suffered
a double blow it would have been easy for the Knights to crumble - but the
league leaders are made of sterner stuff and the remainder of the quarter saw
no points scored setting up a nail biting 4th quarter.
The Knights had
the ball first in the quarter and went to the air - young star Michael
Bradley-Banszki worked his magic taking a pass from QB Oli De Ruyter 63yds for
a fight back touchdown. The Knights went for 2 points and Nick Roope ran the
ball in to bring the score back to 25-27.
The action then
became frantic as Solent powered to the Knights 13yd line - opting to go for
the yardage rather than kicking a Field Goal QB Greenfield s pass was batted
down by Ash-Lee James to give the Knights the ball again. (7th turning point)
The 8th turning
point quickly followed as the Knights QB De Ruyter was intercepted setting up
the Thrashers for a potential winning touchdown
as Greenfield found Pascoe for the combinations 3rd touchdown of the
day. The Thrashers led 25-33 a one point conversion would make it a two score
game - but the visitors went for two points and failed (9th turning point)
leaving the Knights within one score and a 2point conversion of tying things
up.
The Knights
went to the air again and Stephen Godfrey came up with a huge reception
catching De Ruyters bomb of a pass for a 53yd gain. With Nick Roope now playing
receiver and Gareth Davies out of the game from early in the 3rd quarter the
Knights turned to their former leading rusher and record holder Kingsley Ejiogu
- his powerful running behind crushing blocks saw him scamper into the end zone from
3yds out. The conversion was vital and Paul Wakeford showed all of his calm
experience as he followed his blocking for the vital two points . The score
stood at 33-33
There was still
just one twist left in the tail as the Knights Defense stopped the Thrashers
and De Ruyter found Safety Ash-Lee James (playing WR) for a 35yd gain which set
the Knights up for a potential game winning Field Goal - but the 10th and final
turning point saw kicker John Symons attempt go narrowly wide in the gusting
wind.
Luke Bridcutts
sack of Greenfield on the next play was the final act in this thrilling
encounter.
Knights Head
Coach Steve Rains said "I am
immensely proud of the team today, this was a very hard fought battle between
two very good teams. Our resolve when the decision went against us and then
disaster struck on the next play shows just how far we have come.
Of course we
could have won this game - but then so could the Thrashers. The key for us is
that this secures home field for the play offs - but we want to win the
Division so our focus turns to our away trip to now 2nd placed Colchester - a
win their sees us as the #1 going into the post season."
The Knights
Junior team face a crucial battle themselves when they visit the South London
Renegades on the 9th August which will determine whether or not they make the
post season knock out tournament.
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OFFENSE:
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DEFENSE:
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Passing:
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Ash-Lee James 4S 5A
W Masinja 3S 5A
L Bridcutt 1S 5A + 2sacks
S Price 1S 5A
A Evers 1S 5A
M Marriott 2S 2A
J Criddle 1S 3A
R Wills 4A
D Hatcher 4A
R Balderson 3A
J Symons 2S
J Vince 2A
K Ejiogu 1S 1A + 2sacks
N Chiriya 2A
S Laws 1A
A Gillard 1A
J Truelove 1A
A Makinen 1A
A Reid 1S
S Wills 1S
R George 1S
B Monk 1A
D Francis 1A
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O De Ruyter 5 of 17 for
165yds 1TD 1Int
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Receiving:
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M
Bradley-Banszki 2 for 68yds 1TD
S
Godfrey 1 for 53yds
Ash-Lee
James 1 for 35yds
S
Wills 1 for 9yds
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STATS:
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G Davies 9 for 81yds
N Roope 20 for 69yds 2TD
P Wakeford 7 for 52yds
K Ejiogu 5 for 23yds 1TD
D Seabourne 2 for 7yds
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KICK
OFF RETURNS
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P
Wakeford 2
for 12yds
N Roope 1 for 14yds
S Godfrey 1 for 50yds
T Lettman 1 for 0yds
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OFFENSE TOTALS:
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KNIGHTS:
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Rushing 43 for 232yds 3TD
Passing 5 of 17 for
165yds 1TD
TOTAL 60 for 397yds 4TD
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