Eagles Take Dog Bowl II Title

17th September 2006

Having edged out the Sharks in the previous encounter, Team Voodoo faced the also undefeated Leicester Eagles in the tournament final.

As in all three previous games, Eagles acting captain Andrew Gambrill won the toss and elected to receive. The Eagles clicked immediately with rapid mixed plays that left the Voodoo 'D' unsettled, culminating in the Resurgent Ryan Melbourne scoring down the left flank on beautifully timed fly pattern. The extra point was snuffed out by a strong Voodoo defence.

Leicesters 'D' dug in hard as Team VooDoo led by American QB Bob Black deployed their potentially explosive offence and had to turnover on downs.

The Eagles second drive remained as calm and efficient as the first, resulting in QB John Pimperton finding brother James on a post for the second touchdown. Ryan Melbourne again netting with the extra point. Further marauding Leicester D resulted in frustration again for Voodoo.

Events started to conspire against Voodoo as they stalled shortly before half time with Ben 'lightning' Brady struggling with cramp and 'Badly (over-)drawn boy' leaving the field with an ankle strain. Leicester capitalised with a gadget reverse TD to James Pimperton.

HT 19-0

With Bodagris in attendance, Team Voodoo turned on the magic. Bob Black finding his receivers almost at will. The opening score coming from a crossing pattern which sent the recovering Ben Hammett-brady flying down the left touchline. The extra point was also drilled home.

A vocal and pumped up team Voodoo led by Ty Metcalf sensed a turning point and resisted the slick Eagles offence. With the score now 19-7, the 6 tiring Eagles knew they had to defend against an onslaught....and it came despite intense blitz pressure, Bob Black using his experience to execute rapid and trick plays to bring VooDoo within a score....19-14.

The excellent Voodoo defence again frustrated efforts for the Eagles, leaving them a chance to seize the day but it was the Eagles D who prevailed with superior cover and QB pressure to thwart the drive, with talented rookie Mik Smith netting an interception. With time running out the Eagles reverted to the back page of the playbook and used an antique wishbone offence to all but use up the game clock.