BSFL Week 5 - Game Report

The Bournemouth Raiders caused a surprise as they kept they maintained their unbeaten record on the season by defeating the home team Fen Harriers 8-6, and they tied with the previously 100% Invicta Coyotes 12-12. The Coyotes then went on to record their second 12-12 tie of the day in their game with the Harriers.

Fen Harriers 6-8 Bournemouth Raiders

The Raiders caused the surprise of the season with an 8-6 victory over the Fen Harriers, with a great display of defense. Raiders WR Mark Houston opened the scoring when he caught a 62 yard TD over the middle from QB Brad Smith on the Raiders second possession after opening with a series of strong runs from Mark Elliott and Brad Smith. Stuart Winship added the 2 PAT on a pass from Smith into the corner. For the rest of the half both teams couldn't score despite moving the ball well on the ground. A Raiders chance to score was denied right at the end of the first half Matt Heasman was intercepted in the endzone.

In the second half, the Harriers defense stopped the Raiders previously effective running game, and they were unable to move the ball. The Harriers QB Martin Brown hit Andy Allen on a 19 yard fade for a TD, but the 2 PAT to tie the scores was crucially broken up by Nick Michael over the middle leaving the score at 8-6 to the Raiders. The Harriers got the ball back, but were unable to score again after some strong defense from the Raiders - especially from Lee Eatly (2 sacks), Abdul Lawal (1 sack) and Nick Michael.

Bournemouth Raiders 12-12 Invicta Coyotes

Both teams kept their unbeaten records intact after a thrilling 12-12 draw. The Raiders drew first blood when Bradley Smith hit Mark Houston on a crossing pattern, and Houston ran in the TD from 63 yards out. The 2 PAT failed. The Coyotes were struggling to move the ball, and when they received the ball in excellent field position after a failed punt seemed primed to extend their lead. A Coyotes interception put paid to any Raiders hopes of extending their lead, and then they struck back, when QB Lenny Button fired a 60 yard pass to Dave Austin on a flea flicker which took the ball down to the Raiders 1 yard line. Button scored on the next play on a sneak to tie the scores up at 6-6.

Both teams continued to the move the ball well for the remainder of the game, but in the final third of the field they failed to punch it in. Strong defense on both sides was evident with Allen Gilbert of the Raiders registering two sacks, and Steve Wiggley of the Coyotes registering one. The Coyotes then took the lead on a long run from Colin Hubbuck after he broke several tackles around the outside to put them 12-6 up from a 50 yard run. With Raiders QB Smith injured, Matt Heasman conjured up a drive in the final 2 minutes to tie the scores culminating in a 21 yard pass up the middle to Jonny Wells. The PAT was blocked after a furious pass rush by the Coyotes. With seconds left, Raiders CB Vincenzo Gurrea intercepted Button and returned the ball deep into Coyotes territory. Raiders so nearly won the game after WR Mark Houston dropped a pass from Heasman in the corner of the endzone on the last play of the game. Raiders improved to 3-0-1 on the season.

Fen Harriers 12-12 Invicta Coyotes

On the game's opening drive, the Harriers took the lead when QB Martin Brown hit Andy Allen on a fade for a 13 yard TD. Until the two minute warning both sides were unable to effectively move the ball. With less than two minutes to go in the half, Colin Hubbuck intercepted Brown and returned the ball to the Harriers 18 yard line. A series of runs led to Nick Caborn scoring on a 2 yard run up the middle to tie things up a 6-6. The Harriers though retook on the lead on the stroke of half-time, when HB Gary Brown ran in from 43 yards out.

The second half was a dull affair that was lit up with a number of plays in the last five minutes. Harriers CB Andy Allen intercepted Coyotes QB Button, but Coyotes forced the Harriers to punt. Hubbuck returned the resulting punt 70 yards on a scintilating run which left a trail of Harriers defenders in his wake. The 2 PAT failed to leave the scores at 12-12. Gibbon Wright and Rory O'Toole both secured sacks on the Harriers final drive to give the Coyotes one play to win the match. A catch by Austin which was lateralled to Hubbuck in midair came off, but Hubbuck was tackled at midfield and time expired in a thrilling finish. The Harriers finished their season 3-4-1, whereas the Coyotes improved to 4-0-2 on the season.