The Southampton Stags and Chichester Spitfires met again for the
second time this season. With the Spitfires winning the first game, the Stags
would not want to walk away with another loss. Both teams were looking to
improve their win tally so it was an important fixture.
Both team’s defences
were playing hard from the whistle, with many 3 and outs and turnovers, with
the offences taking some time to find their feet.
It was the
Stags who struck first in the opening quarter, scoring on a short pass into the
end zone for a touchdown caught by #13. The extra point was no good giving them
a 6-0 lead. The Spitfires managed a field goal in the second quarter and were
yards away from scoring a touchdown when the Stags forced another turnover via
an interception. The Stags preceded to move the ball downfield which ended in
field goal, just before the half time whistle, making it 9-3 as the players
left the field.
After managing
to get a brief chat with the Stags head coach he said they were determined to
start the second half with the same intensity and it was important to get on
the scoreboard first.
This proved
difficult for both teams during the third quarter as the defences were still in
charge on the field. The offences exchanged punting the ball until it looked
like the Spitfires were starting to find some rhythm. They moved up field and
were again in the red zone. On second and goal, the Stags defence stepped in
and intercepted the ball, forcing another turnover.
The Stags
offence looked like they found another gear as their running game pounded down
the field for their second touchdown by #24. The extra point was no good and
the score moved to 15-3.
The Stags
dominated in the fourth quarter; their defence held the Spitfires from scoring again
and the offence continued to run the ball down field, taking time off the clock
and scoring their third touchdown of the day. A two-point conversion was no
good and a late field goal attempt from the Stags went wide. As the final
whistle blew the end result was a fair 21-3 win for the Southampton Stags.
The Stags
offence, once they gathered momentum, started to look like a team with
potential. The O line protected their quarter back well and made holes that their
running back could and did take full advantage of when asked to. Their running
game eventually worn down the Spitfires defence and started to take control,
which was a huge turning point in the game, making it difficult for the
Spitfires to mount a come back.
Credit has
to go the Stags defence, who only allowed a field goal for the entire game,
forced several turnovers and sacked the Spitfires quarter back a couple of
times. All in all it was a very spirited and well-fought match.
Game images
can be found here;
Good work Jason!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gordon, ok for a newbie at reporting the game, will defiantly be trying more in the seasons ahead
ReplyDelete