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Nighthawks 20-43 Mustangs
Sunday May 3rd 2009

Report from Nighthawks Web Site

The Merseyside Nighthawks made the journey across the Pennines looking to enter division 1 with a bang, however not all went to plan in their first game following promotion, losing to a well-drilled Doncaster Mustangs.

The Nighthawks got off to a bad start when a short kick into the wind was recovered by the Mustangs giving them excellent field position for their first drive of the day. Doncaster came out passing, but as was the pattern for the day, struggled to complete and the Nighthawks
defence was able to force a quick 3 and out. The Mustangs responded in kind, and when the long snap sailed out of the endzone, the nighthawks found themselves 2-0 down. The Mustangs made good use of their ground game from the ensuing kick off, and were able to find the endzone through RB Joey Fabrizio, converting the extra point to take a 9-0 lead. The Nighthawks offence looked to make headway now, and after a kick return to midfield, were able to move the chains for the first time through Mike Banks. The promising drive stalled however, when safety Nick Tomaszowski made his first of 2 interceptions on the day, again giving the Mustangs a short field to work with. They converted again, this time with Paul McIntosh finding the gap in the defence to extend their lead to 15-0.


The Nighthawks offence started to click in the second quarter, and hit back fast when QB Tim Parr found Joe Black down the sideline, who outpaced the secondary for a 49 yard score. The conversion was tacked on leaving the score at 15-8. The remainder of the quarter did not go as well for the Nighthawks, as the Mustangs were able to turn turnovers into points, with Joey Fabrizio again doing the damage, adding a further 2 touchdowns, and giving the Doncaster side a 29-8 halftime lead.

Merseyside started off the second half with the ball, and a renewed purpose it seemed. Behind strong blocking, Mike Banks was able to duke his way into the red zone. A pass interference call on Joe Black in the endzone put the ball on the 1 yard line, where Parr made no mistake, and connected with WR Andy Dyson to make the score 29-14. The Nighthawks defence also looked to have stepped up in the second period, and halted a Mustang drive when Fabrizio was brought down short on 4th down. Needing to score, the Nighthawks themselves went for it on 4th down, and it paid off when WR Jason Elliott made a great adjustment to retrieve the ball on a tipped pass. The Mustangs resolve strengthened as they neared their own goal-line, and eventually forced the turnover on downs.


As the 4th quarter started, the Nighthawks paid for miss tackles as Fabrizio was able to break free and take the ball inside the 5 yard line, before a TD saving tackle from Nighthawks game MVP, Dave Eldridge. The Mustangs were no to be denied though, as Paul McIntosh again found a gap to extend the lead to 36-14. Things got worse for the Nighthawks, when later in the 4th, a blocked punt was returned by Martin Pepper for the score. It was the Nighthawks who were to have the last say though, as Andy Dyson, now under centre, found slot man Rory Mansfield inside the 5 yard line, where Jay Grocott found the endzone for his first ever Nighthawks touchdown, leaving the final score 43-20.

In the end it was a baptism of fire into division 1 football for the Nighthawks, but they look to come out of the loss a stronger side.

Head Coach Gary Lee said "There were mistakes made that need to be ironed out, so we know there is more to come from us. There were also some bright spots including a defensive backfield that gave up only 45 yards through the air, and the offensive line, which didn't give up a sack and provided a great platform for our running game."

It doesn't get any easier for the Nighthawks, with their next game away at former Premier team, the East Kilbride Pirates, who won their season opener in convincing fashion, but with 3 weeks to prepare, the 'Hawks look to step up to the challenge.

HIGHLAND WILDCATS 0 CHESTER ROMANS 57
Sunday 3rd May 2009

Taken from Roman's Website

The Chester Romans got their British American football Season underway on Sunday with an emphatic win in Inverness.

The “new “ Chester Romans were the first BAFL team to return to training last year ahead of their 2009 season following a disappointing 2008 campaign and the hard work and extra effort put in by the team and coaches showed on Sunday. The team made their longest away trip to Inverness to play the Highland Wildcats and the improved Roman fitness levels were there to see with the team scoring 25 points in the final quarter alone.


The game didn’t start well with the Romans Running Back James tootle fumbling the ball over to the Wildcats on the first play of the game on the Romans 18 yard line putting the Highland team in great field position. The Romans defence stood strong and the Scottish side turned the ball over on downs 4 plays later. The Romans then took the ball on the onsuing drive and 13 plays later opened the scoring with a field goal to put the visitors 3pts up. Strong defence forced the home team to punt 4 plays later. The Romans received the ball on their own 33 yard line and father and son Pete and james Tootle continued to move the ball down to the Highland one yard line where Running back James broke into the endzone, with a 2point conversion added the Romans ended the first Qtr with an 11-0 lead.


The Romans Defence scored their next TD via a fumble recovery and running it back 21 yards for the score, with the 2 point conversion added the lead was extended to 19 points and that is how the half ended. The wildcats received the kick off at the start of the 3rd quarter but punted away 4 plays later giving the Romans the ball just inside their own half which ended with James Tootle running the ball in from 3 yards out again the Romans converted to give them a 27-0 lead. The Romans then blocked a Wildcats punt and Defensive captain Dave Goodall dove on the ball giving Chester the ball on the Wildcats own 25 yard line, 3 plays later Jason Wilcock scored a 13 yard touchdown and with the 1 pt conversion, the Romans lead was now 34-0. On their next drive the Romans strung together 11 plays towards the end of the 3rd Qtr and into the start of the 4th, moving the ball from their own 16 yard line down to the Home team’s 8 yard line where James Tootle scored his 3rd touchdown of the day, the Romans couldn’t convert and so lead 40-0.


The Romans stamina on both sides of the ball began to show, The defence intercepted the wildcats QB on their next possession returning the ball 40 yards midway into the Highland half, 4 plays later Michael Wood caught a 17 yard Touchdown pass for The Romans, this was soon followed by another aerial Roman score this time by debutant Wide Receiver Jonathan Winters from 25 yards out, 5 plays later following a strong defensive stand by Chester which saw the Wildcats QB sacked, The Romans completed the scoring thru Glyn Chadwick with their 8th TD and the game which wasn’t converted but at 57-0 it didn’t make any difference.
The Romans new coaches will have been proud that their time, effort and coaching was heeded and the team seems hungry for more, James Tootle finished the day with 202 yards rushing and 3 Touchdown's. The Romans now face their second straight away trip, this time to Lancashire, a team which also beat Inverness (37-0) the previous week. Chester will not be complacent and know they face a stern challenge this weekend in what should be a close fought battle.

LANCASHIRE WOLVERINES 14 CHESTER ROMANS 14
Sunday 10th May 2009

Taken from Roman's Website

The Chester Romans maintained their undefeated start to the season with a draw at Lancashire Wolverines. The Romans came away from this fixture in Blackburn last season with a 48-0 loss against a well drilled team. This game though, possibly Lancashire were the team happier with a draw after The Romans twice took the lead and had the better chances to win it

The game started neither offence really gaining much ground, both teams failing to get out of their respective half off the field on their opening two drives. Lancashire punted the ball away after their second drive which Michael Wood returning the punt for 5 yards over the Romans 20 yard line, on first down an well executed play, called in by Offensive co-ordinater Eric Horstman between Quarterback Jason Wilcock and Wide20Receiver Glyn Chadwick saw Chadwick weave his way through the Wolverine defence down the sideline, the combination of good Roman blocking and Chadwick’s pace saw him race 76yards into the end zone for the opening score. Rookie French kicker, Nadgy Khirat converted the extra point to give the Romans a 7-0 lead. Lancashire tried to respond straight away mounting a drive down to Chester’s 15 yard line, but their QB was intercepted by Nadgy Khirat on The Romans 4 yardline, much to the delight of the Romans sideline. Unfortunately for Chester just two plays later, following a 25 yard dash by Jason Wilcock, he was intercepted by Lancashire. The Wolverines then mounted an 11 play drive, including converting on fourth down and five yards to go, they moved the ball down to the romans 3 yard line and ran the ball straight through the roman defence, with the conversion the scores were tied at 7-7.


Both teams moved the ball well on their next possessions inside the 2nd Quarter but without anything to show for it, The Romans had a field goal attempt tipped, which took the pace and power out of the kick and it fell short Lancashire failing to convert on 4th Down and 10, Matt Littler sacking the Wolverine QB and giving the Romans the ball inside the opposition half. Eleven plays later, 5 of which were first downs, the Romans had first and goal at The Wolverine 1 yard line. Quarterback Jason Wilcock penetrated the Wolverine defence to break into the end zone and give the Romans their 2nd touchdown and lead of the day. Khirat converted and the Romans led 14-7 at halftime.


The second half was a lot tighter, with neither team giving up much on defence, The first two drives by each team failing to materialise into points. Roman Mark Donald punted 41 yards to give Lancashire the ball on their own 28 yard line. The Wolverines strung together a decent drive, the key play being a 38 yard reception by a wide receiver, 2 plays later another passing play caught the Roman defence napping resulting in a 15 yard touchdown to the home team, with the extra point tagged on the game was all square at 14-14 at the end of the 3rd Quarter.


Chester looked as though they were going to break the deadlock having recovered the ball through Graham Campbell on defence. The offence took over in great field position on the Lancs 21 yard line, a good 12 yard run on 1st down from James Tootle, who again finished with over a hundred yards rushing on the day, gave Chester a 1st and goal from the Lancs 9 yard line. The Romans were looking as though they were surely set for at least a20field goal, but 2 negative plays, a 2 yard loss followed by a 14 yard loss and sack on QB Wilcock, pushed the Romans out of field goal range and 2 incompleted passes saw the romans turn it over on downs. Neither team came close after that , Mark Donald powered another 40 yard punt deep inside the Wolverine half and with 1 minute and no timeouts left the home team could only reach midfield before time ran out. A deserved point for Chester having twice taken the lead and having the field goal tipped and then unfortunately being pegged back late on to deny another field goal attempt, The Romans will feel as though they could have won this. They take their new positive attitude back to Chester next week for their first home game of the season where they will play Hull Hornets. Kick off is 14:30 at Chester RUFC, entrance is free and the team hope to see a bumper crowd turn up to support the Romans.

CHESTER ROMANS 12 HULL HORNETS 0
Sunday 17th May 2009
Taken from Roman's Website

The Chester Romans welcomed the Hull Hornets and miserable conditions to Chester Rugby Club for their first home game of the season on Sunday. Chester deservedly coming away the victors but a rugged Hull side remained in the game for a lot longer than people may have give them credit for.

Hull won the toss and chose to receive and immediately from their first play gave the ball to strong St.Lucian Running Back St Pierre for a five yard gain, The Roman defence were subjected to this monotonous onslaught of St Pierre all game, with the running back accepting the hand off from his Quarterback for the majority of the game if not all but a handful of offensive plays on the day. All credit to the Running Back he had the stamina to keep going all game without showing signs of tiredness or weakness and it regularly took several Romans to bring him down. The Roman defence this year has so far stood strong and there were several defenders in double figure tackles by the end of the game, taking nothing away from them The Roman defence they found St Pierre often with 3, 4 and 5 tacklers arriving at once such is their determination to get the job done this year.

The first half was not helped by the conditions and neither team could mount any serious drive, Chester being the only team to break into the opposition’s red zone area, only to turn the ball over to Hull. Only once did Hull look like scoring and that came on the play following the turnover on Hull’s own 19 yard line. St Pierre managed to elude 2 tackles and seemed to be in the clear and destined to score down the sideline, Roman Cornerback Mark Donald managed to sprint across from the far side of the field and tackle the big running back deep into Chester’s half, a flag on the play for an illegal block in the back by a Hornet brought the play back to the Roman 39 yard line. With both defences not giving much up, the half ended at 0-0.

The Romans received the ball in the start of the third quarter and immediately a more determined offence took the field. The Romans began to move the ball well on the ground, getting 6 first downs in a 13 play drive which saw Roman Running Back James Tootle get big gains of 23 and 16 yards to move the ball down to The Hornets’ 6 yard line, The Romans were immediately hit with a 5 yard penalty on the next play for offside and resumed their drive with first and goal from the 11 yard line. Glyn Chadwick ran the ball for 9 yards down to the 2 yard line, but immediately left the game following an accidental late hit to his head from a Hornet defender whilst Chadwick was on the ground, The Romans went backwards on the next 2 plays before James Tootle ran it into the end zone on 4th down to give the Romans a 6-0 lead, the extra point wasn’t converted.

The Roman defence worked well as a unit following the kick off with no less than four 5 and 6 man tackles keeping the Hornets penned inside their own half and when they couldn’t convert on 4th down and 1 yard to go following a Dave Goodall and Rich Posnett tackle in the backfield , the Romans took over on the Hornet 41 yard line. The Romans steadily moved the ball over the next 8 plays down to the Hornet 12 yard line, when James Tootle managed to jink his way thru the defence and break the plain of the end zone to score the Romans 2nd touchdown. The 2point attemp t failed but the Romans led 12-0 as the 3rd qtr came to an end.

Both sides had 3 possessions in the fourth quarter, Hull turning the ball over on downs twice and being intercepted by Mark Donald on the other, the Romans were forced to punt twice and time expired as they took a knee at the end of the game.

The Romans will be happy with their win, if not their overall performance and their 2nd clean sheet in 3 games and remain undefeated for the season sitting in 2nd place in the division with a record of 2 wins and 1 tie. Some notable performances including Dave Goodall finishing with an amazing 21 tackles and 1 sack and Mark Donald who ensured his Punts gave the Hornets the ball inside their 20 yard line every time he was called upon. James Tootle whose two touchdowns now take him to five for the season, ran for over 80 yards . The Romans now have a couple of weeks off before facing Glasgow Tigers at Chester on 7th June.

Nighthawks 0-40 East Kilbride Pirates
Sunday May 24th 2009

No Report Yet


FIRST HOME STAND OF THE 2009 SEASON

Nighthawks vs Mustangs
Sunday 31tst May

V

Kick Off 4:00pm
Birkenhead Park Football Club
The Upper park
Park Road North
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 8AA

Merseyside Nighthawks BAFL Div 1 Fixures 2009
Home games played @

Birkenhead Park Football Club
The Upper park
Park Road North
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 8AA



Chester Romans BAFL Div 2 Fixures 2009
Home Games Played @

Chester Rugby Club
Hares Lane
Vicars Cross
Chester
Cheshire
CH3 7DB

The Nighthawks slipped to 0-2 after a tough encounter on the road against former Premier League team, the East Kilbride Pirates.

The game started poorly for the underdogs from Merseyside, when after receiving the opening kick off a blocked punt by Steven Wilson saw the Nighthawks defending a short field. Promise was shown when the runner was brought down for a 4 yard loss on the first play by defensive end Richard Chudyk-Williams, but the Pirates showed their Premier pedigree when they opened the scoring on their next play when Craig Trowler hauled in a 23 yard touchdown. Defences ruled for the rest of the quarter with score at 6-0 when the teams turned around.

The second quarter saw the Pirates looking to move the ball, only to be picked off by Linebacker Carl Rugen. Unfortunately, the ball was fumbled on the return, and East Kilbride made no mistake on the second attempt when Ryan Hunter found receiver Jamie McLaughlin free in the endzone to double the lead. The 2 points were added on leaving the score at 14-0. The Merseyside offence looked to come to life now as well. QB Tim Parr started to find his receivers as he connected with Joe Black for a first down, and moved the chains again with a crucial fourth down conversion to Jason Elliott. Inside the red zone though the Nighthawks finally faltered, and a 4th down pass to Andy Dyson fell agonisingly out of reach to turn the ball over on downs. With time running low, the Pirates 2 minute drill was put to good use as they marched down the field. The Nighthawks looked to have stopped their progress when a shuddering hit form Neil Mingaud and Rick Keir jarred the ball loose at the goal line, but it was the Pirates who reacted first and the loose ball was recovered in the endzone on the last play of the half to give the home side a 20-0 lead.

Defensive adjustments from both teams saw the scoring halted in the 3rd quarter, with neither side giving an inch. Defensive back Craig Bennett picking off Ryan Hunter was the highlight of a scoreless period. The strong defensive performance in the quarter though, was marred by the loss of defensive general Sean Mooney to a horrific arm injury.

The Nighthawks were now looking for 3 scores in the final quarter to and had to take to the air. Parr, who was under pressure for much of the game was unable to escape this time, and was sacked for a safety. With the Nighthawks defensive backfield now tightening up coverage, Hunter tucked the ball away and using his speed was able to carve through the defence for a 47 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion attempt was picked off by Dave Eldridge leaving the score at 28-0. The Pirates defence were also in an unforgiving mood, and after forcing another punt, returner Scott Findlay was able to find a crease in the coverage and recorded a 53 yard return lengthening the lead to 34-0. After trading possession again, the Pirates finally concluded the scoring when Mark Murphy caught a Darren Brownlie pass giving a final score of 40-0.

Head Coach Gary Lee said "It was a big step up for us considering there was a 2 division gap between the teams last season, but that's no excuse. We are in this division to compete and this has given us some insight into what level we need to get to. There is plenty for us to work on as we look to our first home game next week."

The Merseyside Nighthawks would like to wish Sean Mooney a speedy recovery, and now look forward to their first home game of the season on 31st May against the Doncaster Mustangs, where they look to avenge their opening day defeat and record their first win of the season.

Merseyside Nighthawks 26 Doncaster Mustangs 35
31st May 2009 @ Birkenhead Park Rugby Club


Report to come

Both The Merseyside Nighthawks and Chester Romans have home games this sunday 7th June.

The Nighthawks entertain the West Coast Trojans from Scotland at Birkenhead Park Rugby Club Kick Off 2.30.
The Chester Romans also entertain a team from North of the Border as the Glasgow Tigers travel to Chester Ruby club also kicking off at 2.30.
Entry as far as I know is free to both games. So if your looking for something diffrent to do this sunday go down and have a look.

If you are unsure of the rules just PM me and I'll answer any questions you may have.

How much entertainment can you get for free now days. And these games are usually very entertaining.

V

V

The Doncaster Mustangs and Merseyside Nighthawks clashed at Birkenhead Park, with the Nighthawks looking to turn their first home game of the season into their first victory.

The match started cagily. As the offences looked to get in to gear, the defences of both sides forced punts. In such a tight match, turnovers are key and this game proved to be no exception as rookie end Karl Smither recovered a fumble to give the Nighthawks excellent field position at the Mustang 23 yard line. Running back Ben Kamara signalled his intent by picking up 9 yards on a sweep and, two plays later, he swept in from 9 yards out to give the Hawks a 6-0 lead.

The two point attempt was unsuccessful and on the ensuing drive the Mustangs looked to get back into the game through the powerful running of RB Joey Fabrizio. Despite a 13 yard gain from Fabrizio, Merseyside held firm and forced a punt to end the first quarter.

The second quarter proved as close as the first. Both defences were proving tough nuts to crack, each team trading punts, but it was Doncaster who were next to find the end zone. Stopping Merseyside on fourth down gave them the ball on the Nighthawks 39. Two scrambles from the appropriately named QB Graham Lightfoot drove them down the field and Lightfoot found WR Paul Oates for the touchdown. The kick was no good and the teams were level at 6 all.


The Nighthawks needed to respond and, though it seemed unlikely after QB Tim Parr was sacked for a 6 yard loss on 2nd and 8, he promptly found wideout Andy Dyson for 16, before finding Dyson on third down again, the wideout fending off three would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone for a 40 yard score. Ben Kamara tacked on the deuce and the Nighthawks were up 14-6.

The Mustangs returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 30, but two unsportsmanlike conduct on the Nighthawks saw them start their next drive from the Mersey 30. Lightfoot took full advantage, finding Paul Weston for a 17 yard score, and Doncaster swept in to tie the game at 14.


Once again, the Hawk offence went to work, a combination of Kamara's running and Joe Black's receptions putting them in the red zone before Parr found receiver Neil Jones in the end zone to put the Nighthawks up 20-14 at the half.

After this scoring flurry, normal service was resumed in the third quarter, each offence looking to build but each defence standing firm. RB Ben Kamara kept coming though and, midway through the quarter, raced away for a 46 yard score.


Now 26-14 up, the Nighthawks scented blood when MLB Craig Pennington and DE Simon McHardy teamed up for a sack and, on the very next play, McHardy blew through the line to block the punt.. However, LB Chris Wimbourne picked off Parr and returned the pick all the way. The successful PAT reduced the arrears to 26-21 as the teams entered the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs managed to maintain their momentum going into the final period, forcing the turnover on downs before Fabrizio gave them the lead, bulling his way in from 5 yards out. The PAT hit the post, giving Doncaster a slender advantage at 26-27.

On their next drive, Doncaster stretched their lead further, RB Jeremiah Jordan sweeping in for 6, Lightfoot adding 2 on the keeper to put Doncaster up 26-35.


Needing two scores, the Nighthawks took to the skies, Parr finding a double covered Joe Black for a 30 yard reception before going back to Black for 10 more. The Mustangs forced another turnover on downs and, although the Nighthawks defence forced a quick punt to give him the ball back, Winbourne came up with another crucial pick for the Mustangs to give them a 26-35 victory.

The Nighthawks continue their quest for their first win of the season against the West Coast Trojans next Sunday (7th June). Kickoff 2:30pm at Birkenhead Park

Final Scores Sunday 7th June

West Coast Trojans 20
at Merseyside Nighthawks 8

Glasgow Tigers 10
at Chester Romans 0

Reports to come