Independance Bowl I - Game Report

In an exciting day of action-packed senior flag football, the Chichester Sharks defeated a weary Leicester Eagles side 25-6 to claim the first Annual Independence Day Open at Rumney Rugby Club, Cardiff.

Out of nine registered teams, only the Derby Braves, Jail Birds, Chichester Sharks and North Devon Dogs A were left to contend in the semi-finals. Duncan’s Cows, North Devon B, Kent Exiles, and the Gwent Gwieagles were relegated to spectators after the qualifying rounds. However, injuries forced the Jail Birds to withdraw, opening the door for the Eagles, who seized the opportunity by upsetting the number-one seeded Derby squad 21-13. Unfortunately, Leicester were clearly feeling the toll of their upset win over Derby in the semi-finals, as the substitute-rich Sharks were able to score almost at will with a deadly mix of a powerful air attack and an unforgiving defense that held the Eagles to a single TD. Full marks to Duncan’s Cows, who spent as much time at the bar as they did on the pitch and who, for lack of a better phrase, ‘kept it real’. Nice one, lads.

The Chichester Sharks American Flag Football team continued their run of good form and improved again as they triumphed in the first annual Independence Day Open tournament at Rumney Rugby Club in Cardiff. Encouraged by their previous performances in which they came third in Southampton last December and second in April in Birmingham, the Sharks played steady consistent football to win out in fine style.

In the first group game the Sharks were behind early to the North Devon Dogs but soon rallied back with touchdown passes from QB Nick Watson to WRs Pete Steel (1) and Neil Henderson (2). The Sharks defence gave the opposition no time to get going due to the great blitzing from Sharks defender Adam Linley, who had eleven sacks on the day, and were able to hold the Dogs to a single score, winning 21-6.

The Sharks faced a very strong and talented Derby Dream Team in the second group game and had difficulty moving the ball. Derby scored first and got the extra point to make it 7-0. A spirited fight back from the Sharks produced the TD but the extra point fell incomplete leaving the Sharks a point shy, 7-6 at the final whistle.

In their third game the Sharks faced their nemesis, the Leicester Eagles whom they had never beaten, and the team they had lost to in the final in Birmingham earlier in the year. The Sharks defence totally closed down the Eagles attack forcing them to change their game plan. Justin Handley, Jon Steele-Poshmills, Justin Simms and Andy Ifould had time to cover the receivers as Adam Linley hurried the QB. A single Sharks score from Dave Giles was enough to give Chichester the win, 6-0.

The final group game saw the Sharks face the Wildcats. The Sharks scored first with a safety for two points and looked to be controlling the game until a blown defensive play saw the Wildcats score with a long pass and run. The two points were soon added to give the Cats the 8-6 lead. The strong Wildcats defence held for as long as possible but the Sharks were able to move the ball and get the TD to tie the game. The extra point sailed incomplete to leave the scores tied. Both teams traded further possessions but neither team could get the decisive score and the game finished with the scores at eight a piece.

The draw was enough to see the Sharks through to the play-offs where they again faced the North Devon Dogs. The result was to be the same as the Sharks overcame a tiring Dogs side to win 18-6 and set up an exciting final against the Leicester Eagles, who beat the previously unbeaten Derby side in the other play-off match.

The Sharks were not to be denied their first taste of silverware and totally dominated the Eagles on both sides of the ball. The early deadlock was broken by a long reception for first down to Sharks receiver Gary Robinson. The Sharks offence then proceeded to move the ball at will to all the receivers while the defence stifled the usually potent Eagles running game, again forcing them to the air where the Sharks defence were waiting to pounce on the ball The tiring Eagles defence were punished over the top with the long ball, with four TD passed from Nick Watson to Pete Steel. The Eagles got a late consolation TD but the Sharks ran out comfortable winners, 25-6, to take the title.