Independace Day 5man International Tournament - Game Report

Ten Teams turned up at Chichester College on a bright but overcast day to play in the international tournament.

The draw saw the Chatham Sharks playing Extreme from Derby, The Barbarians from Horsham, the local Chichester Thespians and a French team who had come across for the day. The other pool saw the other home team Chichester Sharks drawn against the Eastbourne Crusaders, North Devon Dogs from Barnstable, the Staffordshire Allstars and Team Voodoo from Hampshire.

The quality of football on show was very high and there were some very close (and some not so close) games. The French team cruised through their group with only the Thespians getting within one TD of their French opponents who were very strong on both offence and defence. Extreme and Barbarians tied at won 2 lost 2 but the Barbarians took 2nd place with their better points differential from their high scoring offence.

In group B things were a lot closer. The Chichester Sharks high powered offence scored the most points on the day but was not enough to get passed the Staffordshire Allstars who snatched victory to win 8-6 after a Nick Watson extra point attempt was intercepted and returned for the go ahead score. Staffordshire also won close games against the Crusaders and Voodoo as well as beating the Dogs to take the group with a 4-0 record. Second place was decided after a 12-12 tie between the Sharks and Voodoo leaving both teams on 2-1-1 but the Sharks superior differnential gave them the place.

The Barbarians, suffering from a lack of players, declined to play for 3rd/4th so Extreme played against the Chichester Sharks but perhaps wished they had also declined as they ended up on the losing side of a 35-0 battle. Extreme had difficulty moving the ball on offence and also gave up 2 safeties after a fumble and slip in the endzone. Poor pass coverage and missed tackles led to several long Shark scores.

In the play off for 1st/2nd place it was a much closer affair. The French were leading for much of the game and led 20-13 as the final whistle neared. A series of completions and good use of time outs gave the Allstars a last chance of victory. 3 consecutive passes from half way fell incomplete before a last second 4th down hail mary pass was tipped in the endzone and caught by an Allstars reciever as time expired to leave the Allstars one point down. Shouts of "go for 2" did not go unheeded as the Allstars bravely went for the win rather then the tie but their pass went harmlessly incomplete out the back of the endzone to give the French the smallest of victory margins.

All the games were played in great spirits as always and hopefully everyone had a lot of fun. Thanks to all the guys (and girl) for coming (some all the way from the States!!). Thanks also to everyone who reffed games.

Congratulations to the team from France for winning on the day.