BSFL Week 2 - Game Report

The Fen Harriers triumphed in week 2 of the BSFL with two victories in the tournament hosted by the Brighton Tsunami. Fen improve to 2-1 on the season, whilst Brighton recorded their first victory with a 12-0 win over Chichester who slump to 0-4.

Brighton Tsunami 12-0 Chichester Sharks

At the 3rd tournament of the BSFL 2002 season, in Brighton, poor weather conditions did not dampen either teams from performing, in what was the game of the day. Chichester started and moved the ball, using their all out passing game to some success early on before a series of incompletions forced them into punting. Brighton started very brightly and took a sweep round the left side all the way to the 1 yard line, where they scored on a QB sneak from Andrew Lane for the games opening TD, the ensuing two point extra point was stopped to leave Brighton 6-0 up.

The Sharks came out throwing once again but the worsening conditions and a solid defensive performance meant Chichester were soon facing a 3rd and long in their own half. Nick Watson then found Peter Steel on a short out, which he was able to turn up field for a long gain, and forced the Brighton defense into a desperate touchdown saving tackle. Chichester were unable to punch it in from short range though and Brighton were able to run out the clock and go into the half with the slim advantage.

Second half and the Shark's swarming defense began to stiffle the powerful rushing game, forcing Brighton to punt their opening possession away. Chichester, breaking with tradition, went to the ground, using a series of powerful runs and sweeps to drive down to the Tsunami's 3 yard line, good defense and a couple of penalties meant that The Shark's now faced a long 3rd and goal. Which back up QB,Max Murray, completed in the endzone to the delight of the Shark faithful to Sergeldean Abdelkader,only to have a controversial penalty wipe it out. This seemed to fire up the "Shark Attack" defense even further, as they forced the Tsunami 'O' to once again punt the ball. Peter Steel was again the unluckiest man on the field, when after catching an out pattern and taking it back 70 yards for the paydirt, saw a second controversial 'guarding his flags' penalty rule out his score; taking his personal; tally of Non TD's to 3 for the season for the Sharks.

With time running out Brighton drove down field and managed to punch home their second rushing TD on a 36 yard run from RB Ben Speas; the extra point was stuffed in the backfield by Glyn Beauchamp. Brighton 12- 0 up, with under two minutes remaining, Chichester's never say die attitude continued but to no avail as on fourth down came up inches short. Brighton took a knee and their first win.

Fen Harriers 34-0 Chichester Sharks

After their last disappointing performance against BSFL regulars, the Leicester Eagles, the Fen Harriers came out firing on all cylinders against the Sharks. Quarterback Martin Brown opened the scoring with a 40 yard pass to returning veteran Laurence Tallon, converted with a pass, this time to Adam Heap. Despite their effective passing game the Sharks' counter drive stumbled and the Harriers regained the ball and quickly scored again, this time on the ground with a 65 yard run by Paul Gates, Chichester's defense held however and they were unable to follow it up with a conversion.

The Harriers special teams added to the scoring with a 65 yard punt return from Tallon. Their Offense continued both on the ground and in the air with Brown and Heap connecting again, this time for a 40 yard pass, and Shane Frost with a one yard touchdown run, converted by Tallon on a pass into the corner of the endzone by Martin Brown. The Harriers' Defense stood firm throughout the game with an interception from Laurence Tallon, a sack from Edward "The Dwarf" Humphris and several spectacular tackles from Jeremy Humphris. The Harriers' Quarterback Martin Brown left the field extremely satisfied with a 100% completion rate.

Brighton Tsunami 0-24 Fen Harriers

The rain refused to let up as the Harriers went into their second back to back game. Coming out with something to prove they scored on the first play of the game with a 65 yard Brown - Tallon connection converted on the ground by Paul Gates. After forcing Brighton to punt on their 1st possession, Fen marched downfield again to another TD. Gates struck again this time from 45 yards out, running the ball in with his trademark pace. The conversion came this time with another Brown pass, this time to Jez Humphris. Both sides offenses then stalled until half-time with the score 16-0. After the half time break both teams put together long drives, producing some exciting play on both sides of the ball but ultimately no more points. On the final drive of the game when Fen took over in the Tsunami half after a failed 4th down attempt, Brown found the endzone again on the final play of the game, this time connecting to the older, Edward Humphris. Brown hit Edward again for the two point conversion ending the game.