The Wolverines aimed to claw their way back into the race for the BAFL Division 2 North with a win against the division leading and local rival Manchester Titans but unfortunately came out on the wrong side of the 46-7 score line. The damage was done in the first half as the Titans put an insurmountable 33 points on the scoreboard leaving the Wolverines with just too much to do. With the win the Titans move to 7-0 winning the division and guaranteeing a playoff berth. Despite the disappointment of the first half the Wolverines did regroup and show tremendous character with a gritty and determined second half performance.   

Both teams stuttered on their opening series and failed to score but the Titans took advantage of good field position to get on the scoreboard on their second series. The drive was capped off with a 6-yard touchdown run by the Titans running back who displayed good speed and power throughout the game. Kicker Ryan Farrell could not extend the lead with the PAT attempt as his kick floated wide.

Looking to counter the Wolverines opened their second series moving the ball with some success both through the air and on the ground, assisted by the scrambling ability of quarterback David Mead. However, as the Wolverines approached the redzone in search of an equalizing score the Titans were quickest to react to a fumble which was gobbled up by Keith Lees. The Titans ruthlessly capitalized on the turnover by marching down the field with passing and rushing gains before a pass by quarterback Alan Mead was thrown deep into the left corner of the endzone and completed with a catch for a Titans touchdown. The Titans followed up their second touchdown score with a two point conversion, a rush to the right corner of the endzone, to establish a 14-0 lead.

Moments later the Titans forced another turnover with an interception of David Mead as he attempted to throw down field. The Wolverines’ turnover again went punished as the Titans found the endzone for the third time, David Barnett catching a short and neat pass at the left side of the endzone on first and goal. Ryan Farrell then added the extra point to extend the lead to 21-0. The two consecutive scores resultant of turnovers assisted the digging of a first half hole which proved to be too deep for the Wolverines to climb out of.

Throughout the second quarter the Wolverines persisted with their search for some answers but offensive drives continued to stall, coming up just short. On the other hand, the Titans added two more scores before the half as they continued to finish drives where the Wolverines could not. Chris Heap collected two touchdown passes from quarterback Alan Mead. The first of which was a 40-yard touchdown reception closely followed by a 17-yard touchdown reception as he found himself wide-open in the Wolverines endzone. The Wolverines, still fighting on every play, did prevent both of the Titans’ subsequent extra point attempts placing the score at 33-0 heading into the half time break. Heap would later add his third touchdown of the day and the Titans final score of the day in the second half making the score the 46-0.

After the break the Wolverines persevered and produced a much better second half and although the first points of the half belonged to the Titans, the noteworthy point about their score, from a positive standpoint, was the way in which made the Titans fight ever so hard for the score. Twice they held the Titans inches away from the endzone, Carl Rimmer instrumental in both stops, before the home team eventually punched the ball in. The Wolverines also got much more pressure on the Titans quarterback in the second half. This point reinforced when debutant Russ Waddell and Damian Szabo each collected sacks and each for large losses of yards.

On the other side of the ball, the Wolverines moved the ball in much the same vein as the first half but this time managed to find a way to come up with some points. For the second consecutive week Jon Peachey connected with wide receiver Neil Sullivan for a 71-yard touchdown score. The extra point was good making the score the final 46-7. The Wolverines did have some other large gains and the Titans increasingly struggled to cope with the tight end motions utilized by Head Coach Paul Horsburgh.     

The mettlesome second half performance of the Wolverines despite the adversity of the first half is the positive they must take as they move forward. The determination and character shown by the players and coaches alike bodes well for the remainder of the season. Vowing to fight on, clinging to any last threads of playoff hope, the Wolverines now have three weeks to review the positives, eliminate any lingering negatives and prepare for another divisional encounter when they face a road game at the Chester Romans.  

Report by Christopher Ollett

A short trip across the M62 saw the Colts aiming to continue their unbeaten run, facing a Leeds Varsity Rams team who were coming off 3 consecutive wins against conference rivals Sheffield and Bolton. The Leeds offence, based around quick passes and yards after the catch, had been firing on all cylinders, posting high scores in their 3 previous games.  The Colts were understandably not ready to roll over and be intimidated, hoping to advance to 6 wins and 0 losses on the season.

Kicking off, as has been the case for all the games this season, the Colts defence, who had so far managed to concede no points on the season through dominating play, opened with an impressive series with a few minor hiccups, while Leeds showed the potency of their offence by completing a 30 yard pass. Despite this adversity, the Colts defence forced a turnover on downs, shutting down the Leeds running game. With the defence holding the Leeds offence, the Colts offence, led by veteran tailback Eden Quigley and the safe hands of quarterback Jonny Glover moved the ball effectively, the highlight of the drive a 20 yard pass to receiver Joel Wilson. The drive was capped off with a 10 yard plunge by wingback Christian Facchin, his first score of the year. The PAT was wide by Chris Astley, taking the score to 6-0.

After another kick off by Astley, the Colts impressive defence took over once again, the hands of consistent linebacker Sam Johnson forcing a fumble on the Leeds running back. A recovery by fellow linebacker Jon Varney gave the offence the ball with good field position, but they turned the ball over on downs, presenting the defence with more adversity to overcome, a situation on which all members of the group seem to thrive. The Leeds drive was stopped in dramatic fashion by cornerback Jamie Horsley, who ripped the ball from the grasp of the Leeds WR for an interception. In this next drive, gifted offensive captain Eden Quigley produced one of the best rushes of the season, running through two tackles and out-running the rest of the Leeds defence for a 40 yard touchdown. The PAT was knocked through by kicker Chris Astley, creating a 14 point lead for the Lancashire outfit.

Leeds’ next offensive drive was one in which they were forced to punt, thanks to solid tackling from linebackers Kyle Martindale, Stephen Donaldson-Ellison and Jon Varney, with punt returner Sam Bloomfield returning the ball 15 yards to set up the Colts offence with very good field position. However, the Colts couldn’t capitalise on this chance and went into the half-time intermission leading 14 points to nil. With Head Coach Geoff Leigh rallying his troops once more, challenging them to improve on the efforts of the first half, the Colts came out for the second half itching to get back to the field.

Receiving the ball to start the second half, the Colts offence started out in promising fashion, with Quigley and rookie Alex Hodson showing tough running, taking the ball to just outside the Leeds redzone. This drive was finished off by an expertly thrown ball from quarterback Jonny Glover, hitting his target TE Sam Bloomfield who hauled the pass in and sprinted in the last 10 yards, crossing the goal-line for a touchdown. The PAT was successfully kicked by Astley, taking the score to 22 to zero in favour of Lancashire. Looking to give their offence a short field to work with again, the defence went about their business, with FS Phil Hooper forcefully separating a Leeds WR from the ball on 3rd down to force a punt, but the Lancashire offence couldn’t muster a consistent attack after the punt and turned the ball over on downs inside the Leeds half of the field.

 On the next defensive drive, Phil Hooper again shone through, picking off the Leeds QB and giving the offence favourable field position for them to begin the 4th quarter with. Heading into the 4th and final quarter, the offence found their rhythm, driving down to the 15 yard line where TE Seb Kerridge came up with a touchdown catch, his second on the season and Glover’s third touchdown pass of the day. A miss by Astley on the PAT left the Colts with a 28 point lead. Another turnover forced by the Colts defence saw linebacker and defensive captain Kyle Martindale catching a deflected ball and returning it for a touchdown, only for the play to be called back for a block in the back. The Colts did get a touchdown regardless, with receiver Joel Wilson hauling in a pass from Glover and out-running the Leeds defence for a 60 yard catch and run touchdown, giving Glover his 4th and final touchdown on the day. The PAT was run in by tailback Eden Quigley, taking the score to 36-0.

The Colts defence again forced a turnover with Hooper collecting his second interception of the day, jumping a hook route and returning the ball 20 yards, handing the reins to Glover again. In a race against the clock, the Colts drove to the 30 yard line when Glover placed the ball in a spot where only TE Sam Bloomfield could reach it. He reeled the ball in, his speciality, one-handed catch signifying the last play of the game as time expired during the rush to line up for the next play. The game finished 36 points in the favour of the Colts, who progressed to be unbeaten on the season with a record of 6 wins and 0 losses.

The MVPs for the day were WB Christian Facchin for the offence, CB Ste Czarnecki for the defence, LB Jon Varney for special teams and TE/LB Sam Bloomfield was selected as the team’s most valuable player. Four Brick awards were presented on the day, with linebackers Kyle Martindale and Jon Varney, centre Kurt Delafield and running back Eden Quigley receiving awards for their various hits throughout the day. The Colts next game is at home in the return of this fixture, with Leeds travelling to Blackburn on the 2nd of August.

Report by Ste Czarnecki

The Wolverines suffered a setback to their playoff aspirations this weekend with a disappointing 34-14 defeat to the Glasgow Tigers. The game was a well-fought encounter hanging in the balance for the majority of game but a Tigers interception return for a touchdown sealed the Tigers victory, proving to be just too much for the chasing Wolverines.

After a touchback on the opening kick-off, the Tigers speedily got themselves on the scoreboard with a touchdown on their opening series. Some good early running, interspersed with some effective passing, culminated in a nine-yard touchdown run by Kieran Phillips on a sweeping option play. With a successful PAT to follow the Tigers raced into an early 7-0 lead.

Throughout the remainder of the 1st quarter both teams failed to construct a scoring drive. However, as the game moved into the 2nd quarter the Tigers did again find the endzone on a 1st down play at their own 35-yard-line with a quick-fire 65-yard touchdown pass from Matt McCusker to Ruaridh MacDonald down the right sideline. Derek Russell’s extra point attempt was again successful giving the Tigers a 14-point lead. Moments later McCusker and MacDonald again connected with an almost carbon copy of the earlier touchdown as MacDonald found himself behind the Wolverine secondary and sprinting into the endzone for a 35-yard touchdown. This time the extra point attempt was blocked by the Wolverines who made sure that the game was no means beyond reach at 20-0 midway through the 2nd quarter.

Indeed the Wolverines clawed themselves closer before half-time with two huge plays. Firstly, a well-sustained drive was capped off with a QB sneak by Wayne Glover for a touchdown inches away from goal line. After a successful extra point the Wolverines then prevented the Tigers, who had good field position, from re-affirming their 20 point lead, firstly by forcing a difficult looking 40-yard field goal attempt and then smothering that field goal attempt. At the break the Wolverines entered the changing room trailing 20-7 but did so having finally gathered some momentum to take into the second half.

The third quarter was dominated by penalties and suffocating defence and it wasn’t until the fourth quarter that either team added to the first half points they had tallied. With the minutes on the clock ebbing away Carl Rimmer emerged with a huge interception for the Wolverines as the Tigers looked poised to extend their lead with 3rd and goal. With awkward first down position inside their own 10-yard line as a result of the turnover, an untimely play unfolded for the Wolverines. The Tigers unleashed good pressure and when the Wolverines fumbled in the endzone the ball was recovered by the Tigers defence for a touchdown. The call did seem questionable as it appeared the Wolverine knee was down before the ball squirmed out which would have resulted in the play being adjudged as a safety rather than a touchdown. The further two points are less insurmountable than a further seven when you are chasing a game and fighting for playoff lives.

Nevertheless, with 8 minutes to go in the final quarter the score stood at 27-7. The Wolverines, refusing to lie down, set about trimming the deficit and set up a frantic finale when Jon Peachey connected with Neil Sullivan in-stride who then showed the Tigers defence a clean pair of heels as he raced to the endzone for an 83-yard score. The point was good and with time left on the clock the score sat at 27-14.

The elation generated from the electric score soon descended into disappointment as it proved to be too little too late and when David Carney emerged with a timely interception for the Tigers, his prompt return for a touchdown, put the game beyond all doubt.

Sitting with a won 4, lost 2 and tied 1 record, the Wolverines must now wipe away the anathema of this defeat and instead approach their final three games positively, looking for a clean sweep, starting with their away fixture to division leading rivals, the Manchester Titans. The play-offs, despite this untimely defeat, still remain very much in sight for your Lancashire Wolverines.   

Report by Christopher Ollett

The Wolverines notched up a second consecutive win on Sunday with a home victory over the Highland Wildcats, racking up an impressive 47 points and also collecting a shutout on defense en-route to the win. It was the second time this season that the Wolverines have managed to move past the Wildcats, a team full of endeavour, after the season’s earlier meeting had finished a similar 37-0. Most importantly the victory keeps the Wolverines in the hunt for a position in the playoffs.

The Wolverines had a blistering first half in which they scored 41 of their 47 total points. Quarterback David Mead tossed five touchdown passes earning the game’s MVP award. The biggest beneficiary of the quarterback’s good form was tight end Rick Cole who caught four touchdown passes from one from Adam Purcell in the second half and Cole was named Offensive MVP of the game. The game’s Defensive MVP honour was given to Ian Nicolson who returned a fumble for a touchdown on a 28-yard return.   

Both teams had eventful opening series. The Wildcats, opening on offence, fumbled in their own territory and the ball was recovered by the Wolverines’ defence. However, their offence struggled to take advantage of such great field position and the drive resulted with a missed field goal attempt, as the ball bounced agonisingly off the left upright and the crossbar before bouncing back into the endzone.

When the Wildcats’ offence took over again on downs, the Wolverines’ defence forced the first of a throng of swift three and outs from the opposition offence. After a useful punt return which was taken out to the 45 yard line by Neil Sullivan, the Wolverines offence returned to the field for their second series. This drive produced a the first score of the game when, on 3rd down, quarterback David Mead connected with tight end Rick Cole for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Good protection had paved the way for Mead to stand tall in the pocket and allowed Cole to arch his route towards the right side of the Wildcats’ endzone. The ball was delivered with a deft touch and accuracy and after Cole had plucked the ball out of the air he turned up field and crossed into the endzone. The extra point that followed was good and so the Wolverines led 7-0 early in the first quarter.

The first score seemed to spark some fierce momentum within the Wolverines and instantaneously they followed up with a second touchdown. The defence, in no mind to be outshone, continued their penurious start to the game and forced a second fumble by the Wildcats offence. The ball popped out of the Wildcats running back’s cradled arms and was snatched up by defensive captain Ian Nicolson, who scampered into the Wildcats’ endzone for a 28-yard fumble return. This time the following extra point was missed leaving the game at 13-0.

Report by Christopher Ollett