3 In A Row For Wolverines

The Wolverines continued their impressive season with a solid win against an old rival. And they started from the off too, with a score on the opening drive.

Strong rushing from Chris Hearle brought the Merseyside defence closer before a Jack Barton pass to Chris Astley was turned into a fantastic gain by the receiver, before he was downed at the one yard line.

Astley (80) with the good yards after catch on Lancashire's opening drive

Chris Littler then punched the ball in up the middle for the score. The PAT attempt was good, leaving the early score at Merseyside 0-7 Lancashire.

The Nighthawks’ offence looked good, as it has all season, but the same problem that has dogged them all season did so again with quarterback Adrian Hodgers unable to contain a couple of botched snaps from the shotgun.

However they drove well and sold the fake a couple of times, getting down to the Wolverines’ red zone. However it is here where the Black Swarm defence lived up to its name, stopping Merseyside and turning the ball over on downs.

Merseyside's centre-quarterback exchange led to a few fumbles

The Nighthawks’ defence stepped up well, stopping Lancashire from moving at all on the next drive and forcing them to punt.

Moving in to the second quarter and Lancashire’s defence again showed why they have become one of the stingiest in the League. This time Chris Anderson, returning to the line up after returning from holiday, picking off Hodgers and returning for a touchdown from about midfield. With the PAT good Lancashire led by 14 points to nothing.

Strong running by Laurent Tshimanga and Hodgers began the next Merseyside drive well before another botched centre-quarterback exchange allowed Jack Watson to recover for Lancashire.

However the away side couldn’t capitalise and defences stepped up, meaning a few three and outs followed.

Adrian Hodgers (2) looked good passing as the Wolverines look to bear down

After the half time period Merseyside came out fighting. Strong running again by Tshimanga and Hodgers allowed the play to open up for receivers Joe Black and Ben Barker. Black then forced in the short score on the end around after a decent drive. The Great Britain receiver then had his PAT attempt blocked, leaving the score at Nighthawks 6-14 Wolverines.

Lancashire came back firing, with David Mead now under centre and showing his ability to get out in to the open field and rush if the pass was not available. The offensive line was excellent too and showed it in the red zone as Danny Cooper, out of his regular position and playing at centre, opened up a gap for Mead to push through on the quarterback sneak and score. The PAT attempt was wide right, leaving the Wolverines with a 6-20 lead over the home side.

Joe Black got the ball into the end zone again after a quick pass from Hodgers but the play was called back and they couldn’t repeat.

Things began to get heated between the two old rivals and, following a Merseyside fumble recovery, an exchange between Lancashire’s Craig Oliphant and the Nighthawks’ Mark Houghton after the play escalated things.

Hodgers showed good running as well as decent passing but was unable to lead the Nighthawks to a win

However Lancashire was able to close out the game after a decent interception by Jack Watson allowed them to grind the ball down field. They missed a field goal to end the game, leaving the final score at Merseyside Nighthawks 6-20 Lancashire Wolverines. The home team are now 0 & 5 and still sit bottom of the division, though whether they deserve to be is questionable, whereas their rivals are 4 & 1 and at the top of the Division 1 North.

Full Time: Merseyside Nighthawks 6 - 20 Lancashire Wolverines

 

Game report and photography courtesy Nathan James Sharrocks. www.dblcoverage.com
Last Updated on Friday, 06 July 2012 17:20
 
Back To Back Wins For Wolverines

The Wolverines’ first home game of the season ended with the win for the home side against Shropshire Revolution in a game of two halves at the Wolverine Den.
 
Looking to extend their record to 3-1 for the season, Wolverines set the the tone immediately, returning the Shropshire kick off past half way.
 
QB David Mead and the Lancashire offence started as they meant to go on and a few quick plays later, Chris Littler ran in for the early score. Following the kick off, the Wolverines’ formidable defence got straight back in to the form which had seen it concede only 16 points in the first three fixtures of the campaign, forcing the Revolution to go three and out and punt back to the Wolverines.
 
After some steady gains, Mead went deep and Chris Astley was there for the reception, some smart footwork enabled him to turn the first down in to a touchdown. Astley then stepped up to knock over his second successful PAT of the day to take the score to 14-0, early in the 1 st quarter.
 
Shropshire began to get in to the game and both defences were shutting down the opposition offence. Revolution QB, Rob McLean, started to find his feet, driving his team up the field. Just as it started to look as if a score was on the cards, Wolverines’ safety, Greg Freeman, came up with the interception to give possession back to Lancashire.
 
Soon after, Mead and Astley combined in similar fashion for another touchdown, followed by another successful PAT. As half time approached, Mead himself ran in for a score after a muffed field goal attempt. Again the PAT was good taking the score to 28-0 at the half.
 
If the first half was a one sided affair, the second was equally so. The Revolution came out fighting and the Wolverines failed to find their feet, perhaps with a hint of complacency due to such a lead at the half.
 
Minutes in to the half, Shropshire were stopped short and kicked a field goal to get the ball rolling. Luck was certainly on Shropshire’s side for their first touchdown. A long pass up the middle was tipped by Wolverines’ Sam Bloomfield and fell in to the hands of receiver Adam Harris just avoided the chase by Lancashire linebackers for the score. The following PAT was good, 28-10.
 
Shropshire’s luck continued as Wolverines’ Chris Hearle fumbled the return, giving the ball straight back to the fired up Revs offence. The points kept coming for the visitors as Andrew Morgan added another six points, fortunately for the home side, the PAT was botched. 28-16. Again the effort for both the Lancashire offence and defence was not good enough as the Revs ran in for another touchdown. Going for 2 points on the PAT, the Wolverines’ D finally stopped them short.
 
The Lancashire offence finally start to fire, progress up the field on the carry, running the clock down. The Shropshire D stood tall though forcing the Wolverines to hand the ball back to Shropshire for one final attempt at a game winning drive.
 
The Revolution slowly but surely made their way up field, managing the clock well, getting out of bounds at every opportunity. The Wolverines thought they had the game won when Chris Astley forced a fumble and Chris Facchin recovered. The play was ultimately called as the receiver having his knee down before the ball was knocked loose. Whilst photographs have shown that this was marginally the wrong call, the officials otherwise had a great day in tough conditions to referee in. Unfortunately, not happy with the call, Facchin spiked the ball, directly in front of an official, which saw him ejected from the game.
 
This break in the play gave the Lancashire defence time to regroup and they stopped Shropshire close to the endzone to see out the game. The 28-22 scoreline reflecting two very different halves of football, showcasing the best, and the worst, of the Wolverines.

 

Full Time: Lancashire Wolverines 28 - 22 Shropshire Revolution

 
Last Updated on Thursday, 31 May 2012 11:51
 
Wolverines Down Jets

The third game of the season saw the Wolverines on the road again, this time to face former National Champions, Coventry Jets.

Another fantastic performance by the Black Swarm Defence, forcing eight turnovers, along with a concise, clinical performance by the Wolverines offence led to a 7-20 win for the visitors.

After the initial exchanges, Wolverines LB, Sam Bloomfield, blocked an attempted punt by the Jets to set up the offence at the Jets’ 16YD line. On the third attempt, Wolverines’ QB Jack Barton found Neil Sullivan uncovered in the endzone to take the lead. The resulting PAT was blocked. 0-6 Wolverines.

The Wolverines special team was left wanting as the Jets’ returner found himself 54 yards upfield on kick off, following a number of missed tackles. Fortunately, the Lancashire defence again imposed on the opposition’s offensive line and forced a fumble, recovering the loose ball in the process. The two defences then stood strong, exchanging possessions, before a four play, 59YD drive by the Wolverines’ offence ended in a 12YD pass by Barton to TE Rich Cole for the score. Chris Astley followed up with the PAT to give the Wolverines a 0-13 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

The Jets’ then joined the game in the 2nd quarter with three lengthy drives. The first ending in an interception for Wolverines’ DB, Chris Anderson, the second ending in identical fashion. The longest of the three stopped at halftime following a resolute stand by the Wolverines D.

The Wolverines started the second half as they finished the first by forcing Jets’ to fumble and taking over at the Coventry 16YD line. The offence couldn’t capitalise and the Jets intercepted an attempted touchdown pass. Another few defensive drives ended with a huge punt from rookie punter, Paul Stewart, being muffed by the Jets’ returner and recovered by the Wolverines outside the Coventry endzone. Barton then picked out Astley from close range to take the visitors’ lead to 7-20. Astley then added on the PAT.

Some big offensive drives from the Jets followed, with their defence forcing turnovers in consecutive Wolverines drives but the Lancashire defence was more than a match for a tiring Coventry offence. Another interception, the fifth for the team and eighth turnover in total, rubber stamped a deserved victory for the Wolverines.

Full Time: Coventry Jets 7-20 Lancashire Wolverines
Last Updated on Thursday, 24 May 2012 18:58
 
Wolverines @ Caesars

The Wolverines headed down to Nottingham to face the Caesars for the second game of the season in a game which will be remembered for years because of the conditions that faced the teams.

Two games in the previous day, including a youth game immediately before, along with gale force winds and driving rain led to a total nine turnovers and on seven passes attempted in the whole game.

Early in the first quarter, the Wolverines’ defence blocked a Caesers’ punt to set up the offence on the opposition’s 5 yard line. Great play by the Wolverines’ O-Line let full-back Craig Oliphant punch through for the score. The PAT was good putting the Wolverines 7-0 up against a Caesars team that hadn’t been behind so far this season.

Towards the end of the half a huge defensive stand by the Wolverines on their own 2 yard line stopped the touchdown attempt but led to marginal safety call on the attempted drive, giving the Caesars 2 points, ending the half,  2-7 Wolverines.

A mistake can lose you a game and unfortunately that proved the case for the Wolverines. The defence failed to secure a tackle on Caesars’ running back Miller as he bounced from an inside run to the outside and streaked down the sidelines for the 55YD touchdown. The PAT was good giving the caesars a 9-8 lead which they maintained to the end.

A hard fought game was unfortunately marred by injuries to Wolverines lineman Phil Gregory and Caesars centre Adam Burnett.

A tough test for the Wolverines in which we came up just short.

Full Time: Nottingham Caesars 9-8 Lancashire Wolverines.
Last Updated on Thursday, 24 May 2012 10:43
 
Wolverines Shut Out Senators

The Wolverines kicked off their 2012 BAFA National League Division 1 campaign with a 250 mile round trip to Gateshead Senators.


The Senators kicked off and immediately shut down the Wolverines offence, setting the tone for a defensive battle. Both Wolverines’ QB David Mead, and both Senators QBs having no luck in commanding their offences up field. Along with a combination of big defensive plays and fumbles from both teams, the game went in to the half at 0-0.

The second half started with more of the same with neither team giving up many first downs. Play after play the Black Swarm shut down the much fancied Gateshead offense, handing play back to the Wolverines. After an unfortunate big sack on Wolverines’ QB David Mead the Senators’ took over with good field position. Again the Wolverines stood tall with team captain Adam Purcell intercepting and returning to the Senators’ 12 yard line.

The Wolverines’ offense made short work of the opportunity and drove in for the score. The extra point was good giving the Wolverines a 7-0 lead at the halfway point in the 4th quarter. After an interception by the Senators on their 5 yard line, the Wolverines defence again showed their worth by shutting down the Senators as they went for it on 4th down. Again the Wolverines’ offense stepped up and again ran in for the score. The PAT was missed leaving the score at 13-0 with little time to go.

The Defence saw out the attempts of the Senators to go long on each play as the Lancashire Wolverines showed that they are no pushover after promotion this season.

Full Time: Gateshead Senators 0 – 13 Lancashire Wolverines
Last Updated on Thursday, 24 May 2012 10:20
 
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