Saints claim division title by taming Stallions

Report by Chris Wallis (Saints)

Photos courtesy of William G Watson

 

he Bury Saints secured a place in the playoffs and won their Division with a 52-6 victory over the Wembley Stallions at Stowmarket Rugby Club on Sunday.

 

Both teams struggled to move the ball on their opening drives. Bury found their form on the next drive and a pass from QB Fred Boyle to WR Brandon Faison for 37yds helped move the ball deep into the Stallions half. But a great play by a Wembley defender saw QB Boyle intercepted at the away sides 3yd line.

 

Strong running soon had Wembley at their own 26yd line before penalties moved them back to the 11yd line. But on 3^rd Down the snap sailed over the QB’s head and out of the end zone for a Safety and a 2-0 lead to Bury.

 

Troy Cockerill returned the ensuing kickoff 27yds to the Wembley 36yd line. Gains of 15yds by RB Derek White and 6yds by RB Jake Swisher moved the ball to the Stallions 15yd line from where Swisher swept home for the touchdown. Swisher added the extra points to extend the Saints lead to 10-0.

 

Crucial tackles by LB Jesse Carlos, DE Spencer Renfro and DT Dan Vicsik forced Wembley into a 4^th&Long situation that resulted in CB Rob Giles intercepting a deep pass to end the quarter.

 

Three runs by RB Chris May opened the 2nd Quarter and with the ball at the Stallions 30yd line QB Boyle found WR Ben Prosser in stride down the right sideline for a touchdown. RB White added the extra points for an 18-0 lead.

 

Bury soon had the ball again as the defence, led by LB’s Carlos and Justin Gulley, forced the Stallions to punt on their next drive. Starting at their own 20yd line the Saints rotated their RB’s and ground their way into the Wembley half. QB Boyle hit RB Swisher over the middle for a 17yd gain before a Pass Interference penalty against the Stallions moved the ball to the 9 yd line. On the next play QB Boyle hooked up with WR Faison for his second touchdown pass of the game. Alex Clarke kicked the extra point to extend Bury’s lead to 25-0.

 

Wembley got on the score sheet on their next possession as they ended a fifteen play drive with a 10yd pass to reduce the score to 25-6. There was still time left in the half for Bury to score again as a 24yd run by RB May and 33yd pass completion to RB White set up QB Boyle for his third touchdown pass of the game when found RB May from 3yds out. Clarke added the extra point and the Saints led 32-6 as the 2^nd Quarter ended.

Wembley started the half well but crucial tackles by LB’s Carlos and Chris Smith, plus a sack by DT Randy Williamson forced a 4^th down attempt and LB Gulley stepped up to stop the Stallions short at the Saints 20yd line.

 

RB White started the drive with runs of 12 and 7yds. RB Swisher followed with sprints of 9 and 3yds before a short run by RB May set up a 23yd gain by WR Faison. RB Swisher added further runs of 3 and 10yds and a penalty gave the Saints a 1^st Down at the Stallions 5yd line. But the Wembley defence stood firm, stopping RB White inches short of the goal line on 4^th Down.

 

On the next play the Stallions QB was hurried by LB Adam Griffin and his pass was intercepted by CB Giles who returned the ball to the Wembley 2yd line. Two plays later RB May ploughed into the end zone. The extra point attempt failed but Bury had a comfortable 38-6 lead to end the 3^rd Quarter.

Wembley were stopped again on their next drive and a 17yd run by RB Swisher moved the ball to the Stallions 10yd line. A short run by RB Rob Patterson was followed by RB Swisher sweeping in for his second touchdown of the game. Swisher added the extra points for 46-6 lead.

 

The Stallions began to move the ball well with good gains by the impressive RB Harry Bergin but the drive ended when LB Smith intercepted another deep pass and raced back 75yds to the Wembley 10yd line. This set up RB May for a spectacular 11yd run in which he hurdled a would be tackler before sprinting into the end zone for the final score of the game. Tackles by CB Ben Israel, DT Williamson and DT Derek Wennersten stopped Wembley’s next drive as the game clock expired to secure a 52-6 win for the Green and Gold.

 

Saints Head Coach, Chris Wallis, said, “It’s a great feeling to win our first ever Division title and playoff spot. It was a great team win and everybody got to contribute. Chris May’s touchdown at the end of the game was spectacular.”

 

The film clip of RB May’s amazing play has gone viral across social media and the internet.

 

Wallis Continued, “It was incredible the way the film spread so quickly. But our other RB’s Derek White and Jake Swisher both had huge games as well behind a great performance by our Offensive Line. Defensive Captain Jesse Carlos and Chris Smith lead another big game for our defence.”

 

The Saints now have time to rest before they travel to face the London Blitz on the 26^th July in another crucial game.

 

Wallis finished, “We’ve given the players a week off, but then we’ll be straight back to our preparations for the Blitz. We still have ten weeks of our season left and we have some huge games ahead. It’s nice to enjoy the moment for a short while but we can’t let this go to our heads.”