Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
The York Centurions opened their second season in the British Universities American Football League with a hard loss to the Huddersfield Hawks by a score of 12-2, in a game with incredible defensive and offensive efforts but which was ultimately decided by untimely errors and penalties.
The Centurions travelled away to Huddersfield with a squad that dwarfed the home team in number and in size after a strong recruitment drive this year. However, the pitch and weather conditions made it clear that it would be a difficult day to get the offence going through passing and it was proven true by an errant throw by new quarterback Tim Blades which was intercepted and returned for a touchdown in the opening quarter.
However, the defence responded on their first play with giant rookie defensive end Rob Wickham stripping the ball from the Hawks running back and experienced veteran Arthur Pitt recovering the fumble. The Centurions’ physical defence continued their form from last year and made the day very difficult for a Hawks’ offence that had barely ten positive offensive plays in the entire first half. With the defence firing on all cylinders and the passing game flagging behind, the onus was placed upon the Centurions’ stable of running backs and their offensive line to take control of the game.
And they did.
With experienced fullback Nick Walter and new starter Tom Marks, York ran the ball straight into the heart of the Hawks’ defence for much of the first half controlling possession, but ultimately failed to convert their success into points.
With much of the play in the Huddersfield half, new punter Tom Platts earned his stripes when he pinned the opposition on their own one yard line. The very next play big-hitting linebacker Steve Braid tackled the Hawks’ ball carrier in his own endzone for a safety, which would later prove to be York’s only scoring play.
The Centurions came out in the second half knowing that they should be in the lead and set about to put points on the board. With the Huddersfield defence stacking the line against the run, the York offence pulled out a trick play with an end-around with wide receiver Zef Rucinski. The speedy wideout raced to the endzone for what appeared at first to be a touchdown but was called back after a dubious ‘block in the back’ penalty. Later on in the game a big completion to rookie tight end Chris Golding, who finished the game with 114 all-purpose yards and the York MVP award, was wiped out by yet another penalty and it seemed that the day would end without the York offence getting on the scoreboard.
However, the defence played on and created two turnovers late in the game to give the offence the opportunity of a comeback. Down by two scores at this point, the Centurions had to score quickly though the air but were unable to do so and the game was sealed by an interception in the dying seconds, with game ending 12-2 in the Hawks’ favour.
Fortunately, York have two weeks until their next fixture, on 22 acres, against Manchester. They have the opportunity to build on their promising start and possibly deliver a victory at home.
The Centurions would also like to thank those who volunteered for game-day assistance and a special thanks to Lyndsey Smith for officiating.
You must log in to submit a comment.
