The Lancashire Wolverine Colts are pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Ollett as their new defensive coordinator. Chris will fill the vacant post left by long-standing club member Simon Purcell.

Chris first joined the club in 2009 as an assistant coach to the Lancashire Wolverine Colts. During that season Chris spent his time working closely with Simon and improving his already outstanding skills. During his second season with the Colts Chris again worked closely with Simon as assistant defensive coordinator. During this season Chris called his first defensive game for the Colts against Gateshead youth. This was a highly successful game for Chris as not only did the Colts win the game but it gave Chris is first defensive shut-out. Against a strong Gateshead side this was a brilliant achievement and a sign of things to come.

Coach Ollett said:

I am very pleased to have been given this appointment and I am looking forward to working with one of the most successful youth defences in the country.

Geoff Leigh, head coach of the Lancashire Wolverine Colts said:

I am delighted to appoint Chris as the new defensive coordinator for the Wolverine Colts. As soon as Chris expressed his interest, I instantly knew that he was the right man for the job. Chris is a student of the game and his knowledge will be invaluable to our club. I would like to wish Chris the best of luck in his new role.

The Lancashire Wolverine Colts would like to take this opportunity to thank Simon for all his hard work throughout his time with us. Simon is a fantastic coach and during the 2009 season was the first defensive coordinator in Colt history to gain a perfect regular-season. We would like to wish Simon all the best in his new position as defensive coordinator for our senior team.

The Lancashire Wolverines and Wolverine Colts will hold their annual presentation evening on Friday 15th October 2010 at Blackburn RUFC. The event will include a buffet, disco, raffle and more. The evening will start at 7pm, and the awards ceremonies will start at 8pm sharp. Dress code for the evening is smart (suits/shirts/ties).

Tickets for the evening are £15 for adults, £10 for Colts (players only) and £10 for under-16s. Payment in advance is preferred and can be by cheque or online transfer. Please contact Danny Bowles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

The Lancashire Wolverine Colts sealed their return to the National Final last Sunday with a tremendous win over the Sheffield Tomahawks. The 24-12 victory confirmed the Colts as northern champions for the second consecutive year and gives the team an opportunity to win British American Football’s biggest club prize. A stunning second half performance by both the offence and defence paved the way for the win. And though Sheffield offered tough resistance until an injury to quarterback James Rudge terminated proceedings (our thoughts remained with James Rudge for the rest of the day, he was thankfully discharged from hospital soon after the game), the Colts were well worth their 12 point lead when coaches agreed to end the game.

With the Colts kicking off Sheffield were the first team to take to field on offence but an excellent defensive stop forced them to turn possession over to the Colts on downs. The Colts first offensive series got off to a stuttering beginning as well and the visitors couldn’t overcome a 3^rd and 13.

With their second offensive series the Tomahawks ground out a long sustained drive that resulted in a touchdown. Although the Colts defence held Sheffield’s vaunted rushing attack in check for most of the day they had no answer for this eight play drive which was capped off with a rushing touchdown inside the 10 yard line. The Tomahawks would only hold a six point lead as the Colts D held out attempts a two-point conversion.

The Colts offence failed to immediately counter but the defence forced two huge turnovers to ensure that the Yorkshire outfit could not extend their lead. First was a timely intervention by Jamie Horsley who intercepted the Sheffield quarterback’s attempts to throw to the end-zone when Sheffield moved into the red-zone. On the next series Jonny Frayne recovered a fumble when again Sheffield looked in potential scoring position.

After being denied for a quarter and a half, the Colts offence found the breakthrough they had been searching for. It wasn’t an instantaneous score but rather a brilliant and methodical drive. The powerful running of Craig Oliphant and Alex Hodson helped to break the resistance of the Sheffield defence. This was before the dynamic running of Mike Frayne and Chris Facchin started to stretch them. And with gaps appearing and room to pass Johnny Glover capped off the drive with a deft pass to tight end Seb Kerridge to level up the scores. Alex Hodson extra points kick was good, putting the boys from Lancashire up 8-6.

The lead didn’t last long as on the stroke of half-time Sheffield regained their lead with a quick strike score. Two passes got Sheffield to the Colts 1 yard line and then a strong run by the Sheffield running back finished off the drive. Despite the touchdown the defence was again picked themselves up to ensure Sheffield could tack on any extra points and so the home team’s half time lead was a slender 12-8.

Stung at half time and supremely motivated to get back in front in the 3^rd quarter, the Colts put together some of their most aggressive and explosive football of the season in the second half. On the back of some excellent blocking, Mike Frayne ripped off a 50 yard kick return to give the offence excellent field position. This proved to be the jump start that propelled the ruthless second half display.

Johnny Glover got it started with a sixteen yard rush. Chris Facchin and Mike Frayne again weighed in with some excellent runs behind an offensive line that demonstrated terrific dominance as they mauled any defensive player in their path. With third and 7 at the 18 Johnny Glover remained poised and delivered a strike to Seb Kerridge for a 12 yard completion giving the Colts a new set of downs inside the 10. Offensive MVP Mike Frayne worked his way to the 1 yard line with another elusive run before Johnny Glover finished it off with a 1 yard rushing touchdown. Alex Hodson struck through the upright a kick that gave the Colts two extra points and a 16-12 lead.

With Sheffield rocking, the Colts defence cranked up the pressure and forced yet another turnover. Jonny Frayne’s nose for the football again caused chaos as he jarred the ball loose from the Sheffield back which team captain Jon Varney opportunistically recovered. Momentum lying firmly with the Colts, their offence took over possession at the 19. Facing 3^rd and 11, running back Mike Frayne received a short pass and reeled off another astounding run as Sheffield continued to feel his impact.

Picking up around 30 yards the Colts were deep into Tomahawks territory again. Johnny Glover found Seb Kerridge with a pass which the tight end turned up-field for an 11 yard gain and the pair connected again moments later to set up a 1^st and goal at the 3. Alex Hodson finished off the drive with a 3 yard rush. Ryan Morton’s reception to convert the further two points gave the Colts a 24-12 lead.

This was the score with around half of the fourth quarter remaining. It was at this point that the Tomahawks James Rudge was injured. The coaches made a decision to conclude the game at that point. On the return to Blackburn the 2010 northern champions celebrated their second consecutive northern title.

And so with this fantastic performance, the Colts are northern champions. They hope to be national champions. With a performance like this, in two days they might just be. Your Colts are Worcester bound on Saturday 18^th September to face the Bristol Aztecs.

By Christopher Ollett.

45 seconds remained. The Colts called timeout. A chance for the field goal team to collect themselves. Josh Brown braced himself for the biggest snap of his season. Equally braced was Alex Hodson, knowing that his pressure kick would either send the Colts crashing out of the playoffs or through to the Northern Finals. Brown’s snap was good. The hold was good. The protecting line held firm. And Alex Hodson booted through the uprights a 21 yard field goal that sent Colts players and fans alike into euphoric celebration.

The jubilation that greeted the late, late field goal was part of a rollercoaster of emotions that punctuated this playoff encounter. After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, Jake Hodgkinson weaved his way past midfield on a return that provided the Colts offence with excellent field position. Given an immediate cause for optimism the offence set up inside the Tamworth Phoenix half. However, the Phoenix defence, which proved tough all day, forced a swift punt from the home team.

The home defence soon returned the favour and when the visitor’s offence ceded possession to Colts, they scored their solitary touchdown. After a few running attempts yielded little success, quarterback Lawrence Quinn fizzed a pass to Seb Kerridge who made a tidy cut before outsprinting the last defender for a 66 yard touchdown. The Colts failed to add the two extra points which for a large part of the game looked to have been costly.

With the Colts holding a slender 6-0 advantage, both defences forced the frequent trading of possession that ensued from the end of the first quarter until about halfway through the second quarter. Andrew Newby, the Colts defensive MVP, along with Craig Oliphant and Jon Varney generated pressure in the backfield that disrupted Tamworth’s offensive efforts. On a later Tamworth offensive series, a trademark hit by Jonathan “the Frayne train” ensured a dropped pass that prevented a first down. The misery of that particular drive for the visitors was compounded when Jake Hodgkinson’s fumble recovery forced a turnover.

Approaching half-time, Tamworth found some rhythm and began to grind out some rushing yards that propelled them forward. In the red-zone, they probed through the air but Great Britain cornerback Ste Czarnecki intercepted a fluttering pass towards the end-zone from the Phoenix quarterback. Despite the turnover, the Colts offence found where languishing dangerously close to their own end-zone. An untimely fumble was pounced upon by the Tamworth defence.

Their offence gratuitously accepted the ball on the 2-yard line. The visitors took the golden opportunity to tie the game up when their running-back powered through over the goal-line for a touchdown. The Phoenix then came back with another powerful run to successfully convert for two points. This left the half-time score at 8-6 in favour of the men from Staffordshire.

It could perhaps be argued that the third quarter was more notable for the emotions that accompanied the play on the field than the actual play itself. For the Colts defence, the dejection of conceding before the half was soon replaced once more by their earlier confidence and swagger. They remained impregnable in the second half. Knowing that the defence was holding firm, the Colts offence whilst certainly frustrated, continued to be patient and smart in their approach, avoiding any inane turnovers that could potentially deepen the hole. However, the third quarter played out as a stalemate between the two teams as neither team added to the score.

And so came the fourth quarter. With the tremendous support of the home crowd, rallying the Colts with chants of “D-FENCE” the home “D” continued to force the visitor’s offence off the field. The fourth quarter continued to tick away furiously but the Colts offence were afforded one more opportunity to write an epic fourth quarter comeback. Quarterback Lawrence Quinn led the way. His excellent pass found Seb Kerridge for a huge 40-yard completion. Hurrying downfield, the next play resulted in a pass interference call which moved the Colts into field goal range. Looking to grab six points a throw to the end-zone fell incomplete. Instead the Colts picked up yards on the ground putting trust in the boot of Alex Hodson and a fourth down field goal. With 45 seconds remaining Blackburn Rugby Club came to a standstill and held its collective breath. Meanwhile, the field goal team composed themselves for the kick. Josh Brown snapped the ball perfectly and Alex Hodson sent the ball sailing inside the left hand side of the post. Exhilarated celebration broke the complete silence in understanding of the 9-8 score-line. With a one point lead the Colts had 30 seconds to withstand four Tamworth throws towards the endzone. The last of which was intercepted by Jamie Horsley, sealing an incredible win.

Though the 9-8 win may have been narrow, the score-line couldn’t be more disproportionate to its importance. By seeing off an impressive and spirited Tamworth Phoenix, the Colts secured their opportunity to defend their Northern Championship. To steal an expression, “opportunities multiply as they are seized” and for these Colts, the stakes keep getting bigger. The northern final pits the Colts up against the Sheffield Tomahawks next Sunday at Sheffield. The resistance and toughness the Colts showed against Tamworth now has to be harnessed and parlayed into another strong performance against the Tomahawks next Sunday.

Article By Chris Ollett