The Lancashire Wolverine Colts secured a playoff place last weekend with a win north of the border. The Colts had beaten the Scottish based Lanarkshire Longhorns on the opening day of the season and completed a season sweep with a comfortable 14-0 win.

After winning the opening coin toss the Colts elected to receive. The offence got off to a fast start when Johnny Glover scrambled for a first down. He quickly followed that up with an excellent deep throw which was caught by wide receiver Sam Reid for 32 yards. The catch represented Reid’s first in a Colts uniform. However, the early momentum was dented when the Longhorn’s defence forced a field goal. A misplaced snap forced holder Johnny Glover to improvise, but despite a neat completion, the Colts were held out of the endzone.

The Longhorns subsequently took over for their first offensive series. It began well with some powerful running by the home team’s back. However, under duress from the Colts pass rush, Ste Czarnecki expertly picked off an ill-advised throw by the Scottish quarterback to give the Colts great field position around midfield. Although the Colts offence couldn’t capitalise on the turnover, their defence again proved air-tight with Ste Czarnecki inches away from his second interception. Christian Facchin blocked the ensuing Lanarkshire punt and assured the Colts offence of excellent field position once more.

This time the Colts were not to be denied and grabbed the lead with a quick-strike score. Johnny Glover’s dump off to Ryan Morton resulted with the running back weaving through the Lanarkshire defence to score a fantastic 48 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good leaving the Colts in charge with a 6-0 lead which remained at the half. The third quarter started with Alex Hodson’s hefty boot forcing a touchback. The Longhorns began in search of an equalizing score. Heavy pressure from the Colts ensured that that was not to be the case and the home team were again forced to punt. As they had in the first half, the Colts offence opened the second half with promise. Rihan Malik pulled off yet another circus catch when he leapt above the Longhorns defensive back to snag a well thrown pass from Johnny Glover. In the red zone the Colts needed all four downs to set up a 1st and goal at the 4 yard line. Lee Horrocks caught a short pass and fought well for an extra yard to keep the Colts drive alive. With the first down Johnny Glover punched the ball into the endzone with a four yard touchdown run. Alex Hodson’s extra point was good and so gave the Colts a 14-0 lead.    

That concluded the scoring as neither team could get on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. The Longhorns did find some success running the ball in fits and starts. Yet, the Colts defence preserved their shutout by hounding the Lanarkshire quarterback resulting in a series of sacks and near interceptions. Jake Hodgkinson and Andrew Newby teamed for a sack and James McGovern added another. Ste Czarnecki continued his impressive coverage as he broke up what looked to be a sure connection for the Longhorns. Rihan Malik twice looked to have picked off the opposing quarterback but had one called back for a penalty and couldn’t quite gather the other. This fourth quarter action made certain that the full time whistle marked the Colts second shutout of the season.

The win in Scotland represented a balanced performance by the Colts, one in which they imposed their authority in all phases of the game. Such a well rounded performance will be needed again in their fixture against the Leeds Varsity Bobcats. The game will be part of a double header at Blackburn Rugby Club on Sunday August 8th and will most probably decide whether the division crown stays in Lancashire or is wrestled away to Yorkshire.

Article by Chris Ollett

The Lancashire Wolverine Colts kicked off the first game of the Lancashire Academy of American Football’s double header on Sunday when they took on the Gateshead Senators Youth. The game was a rematch of the 2009 Northern Final. With another strong showing the Colts triumphed with a 22-0 win and preserved their unbeaten record in 2010.

The Colts received the opening kickoff but after a decent return their first offensive effort did not yield much in reward. This was quickly mirrored by the Gateshead offence and they too were forced to cede possession early. The Senators next drive was kept alive with a penalty against the Colts’ defence but when Jon Varney burst through the offensive line and engulfed the Gateshead quarterback for a sack, the Senators were again forced to punt. 

Both the ensuing return and the beginning of the Colts offensive drive featured sloppy fumbles. However, the mistakes seemed to give the team the wake-up call they perhaps needed. After Andrew Newby had recovered one of the fumbles, wide receiver Rihan Malik made an outstanding catch that netted the offence a 40 yards gain. This was followed up with rushing gains by Jonny Glover and Alex Hodson that pushed the Colts inside the Gateshead ten yard line. Finally in rhythm, GB running back Ryan Morton capped off the drive when his powerful run up the middle resulted in a touchdown. The Colts added two points when Ste Czarnecki caught a short pass and tipped-toed inside the pylon, giving the Colts an 8-0 lead.

Despite receiving two quick possessions, one from the kick-off and the other stemming from a fumble they had recovered in Colts territory, Gateshead failed to counter. The visitors were made to pay for this when the Colts offence put together a second scoring drive. Tight end Sebastian Kerridge made a tremendous leaping catch before Lawrence Quinn ran up the middle for a first down. Assisted by the good blocking of his offensive line, Quinn again kept the ball on the next play this time rushing for a touchdown. The extra points attempt was wide and with no further scoring Colts lead at the break was 14-0.

Gateshead had the first offensive series of the second half but could not carry over the little success they had found running the ball at the end of the first half. The second half mirrored the early proceedings in the first with possession flipping back and forth. However, a punt by the Colts was fortuitously ruled to have been downed by Rihan Malik at the Gateshead one yard line. Starting with hazardous field position, Gateshead were soon forced to punt and with a poor boot the Senator’s bad field position quickly transferred to great position for the Colts. Delivering the knockout blow the Colts took advantage of this situation. Mike Frayne put together a series of tough runs and the drive was completed with a run by Jonny Glover. Alex Hodson’s extra points attempt was good, leaving the score at 22-0.

Gateshead’s attempts for a consolation were thwarted as the Colts looked to preserve a shutout. Jonathan Frayne intercepted the Gateshead quarterback and Seb Kerridge made a last ditch, touchdown saving tackle when it looked as though a fake punt-cum-run had caught the Colts napping. Before the final whistle Kerridge also had a 40 yard weaving run for a touchdown chalked off for a penalty. This meant that the neither team managed to tack anything on to the earlier 22-0 score-line which remained as the full time result.  

The excellent win means that next Sunday’s away fixture against the Leeds Varsity Bobcats will be a battle between two unbeaten division rivals. Furthermore, the game could have a potentially huge bearing on who clinches the division crown and a home playoff game.

Article by Chris Ollett

The Lancashire Wolverines ensured they provided a fitting end to the Academy’s double header on Sunday with their 24-0 triumph over the Staffordshire Surge. The win gives the Wolverines an impressive fourth consecutive victory together with a fourth consecutive shutout. With identical 3-2 records before the game, the fixture presented itself as something of a “must have” game for both teams. As victors the Wolverines ensured they were the ones headed for 4-2 and remain in close pursuit of the division’s pacesetters.

Both teams were unable to open the scoring with their first possession. The deadlock was broken midway through the 1st quarter. A poor Surge punt was caught in the swirling wind and left the Wolverines with possession at the visitor’s 31 yard line. First, quarterback David Mead took off with the ball making his way to the 19. Running back Lee Nelson then collected a handoff on the following play and dashed in for a 19 yards touchdown run. The resultant extra point was blocked leaving the Wolverines with a 6-0 lead.

Looking to respond the Surge strung together some positive plays but despite a 20 yard pass from to their quarterback to his tight end the drive stalled and ended with a punt downed at the Wolverine’s 5 yard line. It was then that the home team survived a scare. A fumble by running back Eden Quigley fortuitously squirmed out of play despite the attempts of several Surge defenders to recover the loose football. Though the Wolverines safely maintained possession the drive didn’t last much longer.

The Surge’s offensive exploits weren’t too much better and an overthrown ball stalled their attempts to convert on 4th down. Turning possession over at the Wolverine’s 37 yard line, the home team jump started into action. A nine yard rush by Lee Nelson got the drive off to a good start. On the following play running back Eden Quigley demonstrated great burst as he darted to the outside to pick up a further 19 yards. Then from the 25 yard line Lee Nelson lowered his shoulder to batter past the first tackler before taking advantage of some good blocking and then avoiding the efforts of the last Surge defender to score an impressive second touchdown. A successful 2 point conversion run made the score 14-0. This was the halftime score as Danny Morton’s 35 yard field goal attempt just before the half narrowly missed despite the tremendous power he generated behind the kick.

The second half got off to a slow start but midway through the third quarter the Surge managed to force their way into Wolverine’s territory. However, the Wolverines defence demonstrated once again the dogged and determined play that has characterized their recent performances and forced a field goal. Gary Murrell blocked the resulting attempt helping towards the team’s fourth consecutive shutout.

The Wolverines further compounded the opponents blight when immediately after they marched down the field and extended their lead. Another speedy rush by Eden Quigley gained 26 yards before Lee Nelson chipped in with four more. David Mead kept the drive alive by avoiding pressure on fourth down and escaped the rush to gain a first down. Eden Quigley finished the drive with a 14 yard scamper towards the left pylon outpacing the Staffordshire defenders. Danny Morton added the extra point as the third quarter ended 21-0. 

In the fourth quarter the Wolverines continued their dominance. As the game ebbed away defensive back Ian Jeffries collected an interception after the ball had been tipped by the Surge receiver. A nice rushing gain from Anatoly Kulikov and then Jack Barton throw completion to Neil Sullivan moved the Wolverines into field goal range. Danny Morton concluded the scoring with his 17 yards field goal.

The Wolverines' next fixture is a home match against the Sheffield Predators in just over a month’s time on Sunday 8th August. The last time the teams met the Wolverines ran out comfortable 47-0 winners.

Article by Chris Ollett

The second game of the Wolverines' current run of four saw the Lancashire side travel to Sheffield to play league newcomers the Sheffield Predators. The Predators stepped into the league at the last minute to take the place of the Redditch Arrows after the Midlands side were unable to participate in the 2010 season and whilst results haven't gone their way, clearly the Predators are supported by a strong backroom staff and deep squad that will see results turn around in the future.

The game started with the Wolverines receiving the ball and it didn't take long for the first score of the day. Quarterback David Mead rolled out to his right, saw room in front of him to run and went for it. Seventy five yards later he was in the endzone. Kicker Danny Morton used his sure right boot to kick the extra point.

With the Wolverines Defence not in the mood to concede yardage, it didn't take long for the Lancashire side to get on the scoresheet again. The second offensive drive saw Mead spray the ball around with receptions for youth graduate Tight End Chris Astley and wide receiver Mike Jay. With the ball at the five yard line, running back Eden Quigley bounced a run to the outside and scampered into the endzone untouched. Morton was again automatic and put the score at 14-0. The first quarter was completed with one more score for the Wolverines, with Tight End Rick Cole executing a spectacular catch to take the Wolverines up 21-0 after another successful PAT.

Yet again the Lancashire Defence held strong during the second quarter. Led by Linebackers Carl Rimmer and Martin Williams, the Wolverines stopped the Predators from reaching the endzone despite flashes in the passing game from Sheffield Quarterback Andrew Hukin aided by reliable receiver John Gilmartin and tight end Jeremy May. The Wolverines scored two more touchdowns before half time, both on passes to tight ends. Mead found Chris Astley first, followed by Chris Plant who converted to tight end this season. The score at the half was 33-0.

In the second half the game calmed down somewhat, with both teams able to drive but scores proving harder to come by. It was late in the third quarter when Wolverines running back Anatoly Kulikov forced his way through the Sheffield defence for his first touchdown of the season. With a successful conversion, the score went to 40-0 at the end of the third.

The Wolverines rang the changes in the fourth quarter, yet still managed to perform at a high level. On the day the dominant defence forced a fumble through Sam Bloomfield which was recovered by Chris Astley and intercepted the Sheffield quarterback five times with picks for Ben Clark, Danny Morton, Lex Dunn, Ian Jeffries and Rick Willoughby. Eden Quigley made his senior Quarterback debut for the fourth quarter and on his first drive took the Wolverines offence down the field before punching the ball in himself on a quarterback sneak. Danny Morton completed the scoring for the day by converting the extra point, leaving the final score at 47-0 to the Lancashire side.

After the game, Head Coach Paul Horsburgh said:

"I'm pleased with our execution in all phases of the game today. We started quickly and didn't allow Sheffield into the game. The defence was excellent as always and the offence put points on the board on the ground and through the air. We now possess a winning record for the first time this season and we have every intention of building on that."

The Wolverines carry on their run of games with two home games in the next two weeks. First up is the Hull Hornets, followed by the Staffordshire Surge on the 4th of July. Visit the Wolverines website for more information:

http://www.wolverineden.com/