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Wolverines return from the Highlands victorious |
 This weekend the Lancashire Wolverines travelled the long road to Inverness to play the inexperienced Highland Wildcats. This was the first home league fixture for the Wildcats, and was the second game of their debut British American Football League season. The Wolverines were coming off a hard-fought win in their first 2009 fixture against the Hull Hornets, and were looking to keep their winning record intact.
The game started with the Lancashire side kicking the ball to the Wildcats, hoping that their defence could set the tone for the afternoon following an excellent outing against Hull. The defence rose to the occasion under the experienced guidance of defensive coordinator Darren Carr, stopping the Wildcats offence before they managed to get going, forcing a three and out on their first drive, leading to a punt. This brought the Wolverines offence on to the field, looking to improve on their slow start in the previous game. Things started well, with the Wolverines driving down the field, but the drive stalled when deep in Wildcat territory through a Highland interception of a David Mead pass.
Once more the Wolverines solid defence held up, with the defensive line snuffing out the Wildcats offence on the ground with some excellent work. Another punt followed, with the Wolverines offence gaining the ball on their 30 yard line. There was no stopping the Wolverines on this drive, with a powerful running game led by Offensive MVP and team captain Danny Bowles taking the Wolverines all the way down the field. Fittingly it was Bowles who capped the drive, taking the ball into the end zone on the ground from six yards out. Phil Gregory was in charge of kicking duties for the day, and he completed the extra point to give the Wolverines a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
 The two teams traded field position for the rest of the quarter, and it was mid-way through the second quarter when the Wolverines defence put the next points on the board. Pinned back in their half of the field, the Wildcats were forced into passing situations, and on one of these attempts the ball was thrown in the direction of Wolverines defensive captain, Ian Nicolson. Nicolson managed to intercept the ball, and run it back all the way, avoiding the Wildcats offence to give the Wolverines a 13-0 lead. The extra point was unsuccessful. Late in the half the Wolverines defence was again pinning the Wildcats deep, and when the quarterback dropped back into his end zone to look for an open receiver, defensive lineman Paul Mather broke through the line to sack the quarterback for a safety to take the score to 15-0. A second David Mead interception gave the Wildcats hope in the dying seconds of the first half, but once more the defensive line held up the Wildcats, and the score remained 15-0 at the interval.
The second half started with a rookie tailback Anatoly Kulikov kick return setting the Wolverines offence up midway into their half. Danny Bowles then stepped up with a huge play, taking the ball 59 yards into the Wildcats end zone from the first play of the second half. The extra point was good, giving the Wolverines a 22-0 lead.
With the game firmly in control, the Wolverines continued to apply the pressure. This resulted in the defence causing another safety, with the pressure being applied by linebacker Damien Szabo, who after the game was awarded with the defensive MVP award.
In the fourth quarter the Wolverines closed out the game, first through a touchdown from Anatoly Kulikov, and capped off with quarterback David Mead taking the ball in from 12 yards out. The final score in the game was 37-0.
This result took the Wolverines’ record to 2-0 for the season. Speaking after the game, defensive coordinator Darren Carr said:
“I’m very proud of the whole team today. It’s never easy to have a long trip before a game, but the team is focused and looking to make an impression on Division 2 this season. The defence performed superbly well today again, and I’m especially proud of the defensive line who were collectively awarded the Team MVP award. We’ll look to go into a week off now, and rest up those injuries we’re currently carrying, and we’ll be ready for Chester in two weeks time.”
The Wolverines next game is against the Chester Romans on Sunday the 10th May at Blackburn RUFC. Kick-off is at 2.30pm. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 April 2009 12:20 |
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Wolverines survive Hornet attack |
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 The Lancashire Wolverines opened their 2009 season on Sunday by welcoming the Hull Hornets to Blackburn RUFC for a BAFL Division 2 North clash. On a beautifully sunny day in Lancashire, the Wolverines and Hornets kicked off following a top notch youth game between the Lancashire Wolverine Colts and Sheffield Tomahawks, an excellent game showcasing the high quality of youth football in this country, and a game in which the Wolverine Colts emerged victorious, 26-0.
Eager to match the Colts result, the Lancashire Wolverines kicked-off to the Hornets, but from the off it was the Hornets applying the pressure, and although the Wolverines defence managed to put the Hornets at fourth down several times, Hull managed to convert to keep driving. The first drive came to an end with the Wolverines defence managing a critical stop to take over on downs.
The Wolverines offence was unable to move the ball in the first half either through the running game or through the air, however the Hornets continued to make ground with a very strong running game, although the Wolverines managed to hold them out with some excellent play, led by linebacker Carl Rimmer. Finally the Hornets made the pressure count, and managed to get in to the endzone through a sneak by quarterback, Rich Brookesby. The point after attempt was unsuccessful. Throughout the rest of the first half the Wolverines offence struggled to find any fluency, and as the half drew to a close the Hornets were driving close to the Wolverines endzone. Again the Wolverines defence stood strong and the game went into half time with the score remaining at 6-0 to Hull.
The Wolverines coaching staff took the opportunity to regroup during the interval, and the team came out with a renewed sense of purpose. Things started to click in the second half, and although never really finding a steady rhythm, the offence started to gain yards under the guidance of quarterback David Mead. The Wolverines eventually managed to get on the scoreboard through a pass to tight end, Rich Cole, making his senior football debut. The extra point attempt by Danny Morton was good to give the Wolverines a slender lead. The two teams exchanged drives before David Mead again connected on a pass allowing Rich Cole into the Hull endzone for his second touchdown of the day.
 The Wolverines now started to sense victory, and although the Hornets carried on fighting hard, it was the side from Lancashire to score the next critical touchdown. Quarterback David Mead connected with veteran wide receiver Iain Pearson to confirm victory for the Wolverines. The final minutes of the game ticked away, and the Wolverines came away with a hard fought win, 19-6.
Following the victory, Wolverines Head Coach, Paul Horsburgh had the following to say:
“I’d like to thank Hull for travelling across to us today for the curtain raiser to our 2009 season. We’re very pleased to come away with a win from the game. Hull were excellent opponents on the day, and if it wasn’t for the outstanding performance from our defence the score could have been quite different.
Individually I’d like to congratulate our game MVP, Carl Rimmer, for an outstanding performance at linebacker. He caused Hull’s offence problems from the very start of the game until the last seconds, and really set the tone for the rest of the team.
We’ll move on from here and start our preparations for our game at Inverness next week. We had some good performances on the day, but we’ll need to improve in all areas to ensure we continue our winning start to the season.”
Also receiving MVP awards for the Wolverines were Rich Cole (Offensive MVP) and Adam Purcell (Defensive MVP). The Lancashire Wolverines travel to Inverness next week to take on the rookie Highland Wildcats, and will look to improve their record to 2-0. The next home game will be on May 10th, when the Wolverines welcome the Chester Romans to Blackburn RUFC, with a 2.30 kick-off. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 April 2009 09:36 |
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The Lancashire Wolverines and Lancashire Wolverine Colts will be moving training facilities to the new outdoor 3G facility at Buckshaw Village, Chorley, effective immediately. The first session will be Sunday 15th February from 12 until 3PM. The address for the facility is: Old Worden Avenue
Buckshaw Village
PR7 7AY Directions are as below: From M6:
From the M6 North or South, leave at Junction 28, turn right (both North and South need to turn right) at the end of the sliproad. At the crossroads with the Hayrick pub on the opposite corner, turn right onto the A49 (Wigan Road). Follow the road to the next set of traffic lights and turn left onto Dawson Lane. Go straight ahead at the roundabout, then turn right (marked as straight on) at the traffic lights. Turn left at the first roundabout. The astro turf is on this road on the left hand side.
From M61:
Exit M61 at J8 and head towards Chorley.
At roundabout turn right onto A6 towards Preston.
Take your first left onto Buckshaw Avenue.
At the end of the road turn right at the roundabout.
Straight over the next roundabout then turn right at the next one.
Follow the road and the field is on your left. |
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Last Updated on Monday, 09 February 2009 21:30 |
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Super Bowl 2009 - Sunday 1st Feb 2009 |
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 The Lancashire Wolverines have secured an excellent venue to host their Super Bowl party for 2009. This year, the festivities will be taking place at The Angel pub, on Lune Street in Preston. The party will be open from 9pm onwards, and will cost only £1 for entry. The Angel has a late licence specifically for this event, and food will be available at half time of the big game from Tampa Bay.
The event is available for over 18s only. The address for the event is: The Angel
39 Lune Street
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 2NN A Facebook event has also been created for the event to discuss anything relating to the evening, and you can find that here. |
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Last Updated on Monday, 26 January 2009 14:37 |
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Wolverines Rookie Camp a Huge Success |
 Budding American Footballers were put through their paces last weekend as the Lancashire Wolverines American Football Club held their annual ‘Rookie Camp’. The five-hour event attracted over 60 new players to the Club’s youth and senior teams, who both compete in the British American Football League (BAFL).
The Wolverines had a great season in 2008 with both teams making the playoffs. This season, the Club hopes to go one better and get to the national finals, the Britbowl. With such a fantastic turnout to their rookie camp the Wolverines are in a positive frame of mind. Senior team head coach, Paul Horsburgh said: ‘Today’s event has surpassed all our expectations. Every player who attended the Rookie Camp showed great potential and all are capable of competing for a place in either our youth or senior squads. I hope to see the new guys back at training this Sunday, 25th January.’
It’s not too late though! Any new player who still wishes to join the Wolverines should contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or visit the Club’s website: www.wolverineden.com. The Lancashire Wolverines are part of the Lancashire Academy of American Football which has teams throughout Lancashire for children and adults aged 8 and upwards. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 18 January 2009 17:27 |
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