On a weekend of high drama, the Lancashire Wolverines Colts fought through adversity to complete a 57-0 rout of the Highland Wildcats in Inverness. The weekend began very differently from an average one for the Lancashire players; a 12pm meet on the Saturday not their usual preparation for a league match. However, having been together twenty-four hours by the time kick-off came on Sunday, the players seemed more tight-knit and ready for the challenge ahead.

As with most matches involving the Colts this year, the first half began slowly. The game was expected to be fraught with intense Anglo-Scottish rivalries, and the opening Lancashire drive underlined this point. Lancashire’s skilled running back corps was made to work hard for their opening score by tough hits from the Inverness defense: outside linebacker #21 particularly impressing. It was left to rookie running back Eden Quigley to score the first of his four touchdowns on the day, with a two-yard canter off the edge. The next drive of the quarter followed a similar pattern, this time with starting quarterback Johnny Glover crossing from one-yard. Having fluffed the first PAT, kicker Chris Astley rectified his mistake by chipping over for the extra two. He later scored the only other points of the first half, executing a medium range field goal, to leave the score 17-0 at the half.

Following a strong Lancashire defensive showing in the first half, the offense understood following half time that they had to come out and justify their teammates’ hard work in the second stanza. It was on the opening drive of the second half that the Colts finally began to show their true potential as an offensive unit. Although still displaying high effort levels, the Highland defense simply had no answer to the punishing running game of Quigley and co. Two touchdowns in the third quarter, both from Quigley, ended the game as a contest. It was now time for the Colts to show how what potential they had to be a genuine force in the championship this season.

Highland, having already convincingly beaten the Bolton Bulldogs earlier in the campaign, may have been surprised when another three touchdowns rained in during the fourth quarter. Quigley grabbed yet another for the tally, and also surpassed the 300 yard mark for the day, whilst first year receiver Joel Wilson grabbed a sensational forty-five yard catch.

It was later recognised that although Quigley managed 317 rushing yards in the game, he could not do the job without impeccable support from wingbacks Gareth Ball and James Littler, and intimidating lead blocking from fullback James Lago. Ball was awarded offensive MVP for a professional performance, in what is being considered his ‘break-out’ game.

I have somehow managed to near the end of this report without a meaningful mention of the Lancashire defense. However, that fact probably sums up how this defense operates. Led by the ever classy and mature performances of captain Craig Davidson, it goes about its business in a manner not unlike that of the current New England Patriots defense. Living somewhat in the shadow of their fast scoring, glorifying offense; the players are more than happy to accept that a zero on the opposition scoreboard means they have done their job. Four interceptions on the day (once each for DBs Phil Hooper, Sam Bloomfield and Jamie Horsley, with captain Davidson making the other), are merely part and parcel of a unit that gives its offense the opportunity to create chances and make scores.

Observers may look upon this game as the one that officially kick started the re-birth of the Lancashire club, and I doubt there are too many people around the league who will not be pleased to see that North West football finally has a team to call its own again.

By Greg Freeman

The Lancashire Wolverines took their first road trip of the season up to Glasgow this weekend to face a strong Glasgow Tigers team smarting from their tight loss the previous weekend to the Merseyside Nighthawks. Both teams have playoff ambitions, and the game turned out to be the tight defensive display that all expected.

The game started with an excellent stop by the Wolverines defence, which was to set the tone for the afternoon. The first offensive drive by the Wolverines took them all the way up the field to the 2 yard line, and the first drama of the day came when starting QB Jon Peachey had the ball forced from his hands in the endzone. Luckily for the Wolverines offensive lineman Ian Bain was the first to react, as he recovered the ball for a touchdown. Rookie kicker Danny Morton was on hand to kick the extra point.

For the rest of the first half, the Wolverines defence held strong and regularly gave the offence excellent field position, and the offence were effective at moving the ball, but a strong Tigers defence managed to repeatedly hold them out of the endzone. However, this was not to last, as just before the half, Jon Peachey found wide receiver Iain Pearson down the field with a pinpoint pass, and Pearson ran the ball into the endzone for the touchdown. With the extra point missed, this meant that the Wolverines went into half time with a lead of 13-0.

The second half started in the same way as the majority of the first half, with both defences displaying great resilience, and the ball was traded between the teams into the fourth quarter with no further score. It was here that Glasgow managed to find a hole in the Wolverines defence, and the Glasgow running back broke away to score for the Tigers. Glasgow then managed to run in a two point conversion, leaving the score at 13-8 to the Wolverines.

At this stage of the game, both defences kicked into overdrive with the game finely balanced. With time ticking down, Wolverines linebacker Damian Szabo made his second interception of the day giving the Wolverines offence a chance to run out the clock. However, the resolute Tigers defence gave their offence one last chance to win the game, but yet again the outstanding Wolverines defence managed to hold strong, and give the Wolverines a hard fought win.

This result moves the Wolverines on to a 4-0 record at the top of the British American Football League Division 2 North conference. With a tough away game at the Merseyside Nighthawks next on the agenda for the Wolverines, they will be taking nothing for granted, as they continue their push for the playoffs.

Final score: Glasgow Tigers 8 – 13 Lancashire Wolverines

The next event for the Wolverines is on the 22nd June when they host their ‘Family Fun Day’ at Blackburn RUFC. For more details see www.wolverineden.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Wolverines scoring summary:

Box score:

The hottest day of the year so far saw the Chester Romans make the short trip North to Blackburn to take on local American Football team, the Lancashire Wolverines. The Wolverines stood top of the BAFL Division II North Conference before this game and with the Romans having failed to win a game all season, the Wolverines were hot favourites to win this game.

The Romans received the opening kick off and quickly showed that they hadn’t simply turned up to make up the numbers. Strong running from James Tootle saw the Romans drive towards halfway before the Wolverines defence stiffened and forced Chester to punt. The Wolverines offense took to the field and, despite promising runs from Chris Littler, were also forced to punt on their opening possession. Game MVP Joe Douglas was determined to get the ball back for the Wolverines and recovered a fumble from the Roman’s returner to give the Wolverines excellent field position. Wolverine’s running back Sam Fogg wasted no time as he sprinted in for the opening touchdown from 17 yards. The PAT was no good but the Wolverines had broken the deadlock and led 6-0.

Adjustments from defensive co-ordinator Darren Carr saw the Wolverines defense begin to dominate the Romans offense and the Romans were again forced to punt. A 40-yard return from Fogg gave the Wolverines the ball in Roman territory. The offensive drive almost stalled, however, and only a great play on 4th down from quarterback Paul Fallon saw the drive kept alive. Fogg got his second of the day from 3 yards out to take the score line to 12-0 in favour of the Wolverines.

The second quarter saw the Wolverines defense continue to dominate the Romans offense and the Wolverines extended their lead when Neil Sullivan ran in from 9-yards out. This time the conversion was successful and the Wolverines led 19-0. The Romans received the ball and looked determined to stay in contention in the game. A lengthy drive took them into the Wolverines ‘red zone’. The Romans were gaining in confidence and were close to scoring when an interception from Ian Nicolson gave the Wolverines the ball back on their own 1-yard line.

Speedster Fogg wasted no time and on the very first play raced the length of the field and looked to have scored before a penalty cancelled out the play. The disappointment didn’t last long however as Fogg scored two plays later on a 71 yard reception to make the score at half-time 25-0 in favour of the Lancashire outfit.

The Wolverines received the opening kick-off of the second half. Strong running from Littler behind a dominant offensive line led by MVP Mark Bentley saw the Wolverines drive the length of the field until a forced fumble saw the Romans recover the ball. The Wolverines defense continued their dominance with some great plays from rookie cornerback Jim Mawson again forcing a Chester punt. Fogg got his fourth touchdown of the day on a 35-yard run to extend the Wolverines lead to 31-0.

The Wolverines started the fourth quarter with the ball but were forced to punt by the Romans defense, after losing quarterback Fallon, who was injured following a sack. A ‘roughing the kicker’ penalty, however, gave the Wolverines, now led by Jonathan Peachey another opportunity. After driving downfield Danny Morton hit a 29-yard field goal to extend the Wolverines lead further to 34-0.

Morton was not done there and on the next series snared an interception, which he returned 22-yards for the Wolverines first defensive score of the season. Morton has quickly established himself as one of the Wolverines best defensive backs in his rookie season.

In a game where the Wolverines rookies were given plenty game-time they all stepped up to the challenge and staked their claim on starting spots. None more so than Joe Douglas who turned his skills to offense and rounded off the scoring with a jinking 55-yard run. Morton again converted to leave the final score:

Lancashire Wolverine 48-0 Chester Romans.

The Wolverines now face a long-trip to Scottish side Glasgow Tigers in what will be one of the Wolverines toughest games of the season.

The next event at Ramsgreave Drive is the ‘Family Fun Day’ hosted by the Lancashire Academy of American Football on Sunday June 22nd, from 2pm. Attractions for the fun day include a ‘bungee run’, bouncy castles, face-painting, raffles and much much more…