Match Report, D1 Final – Glasgow Tigers vs Sheffield Hallam Warriors FT Glasgow 6 – 26 Warriors
Last Sunday saw the two undefeated teams in the BUCS Division 1 North finally face off for the right to play Premiership football next season. Glasgow came into the game after beating Tarannau Aberystwyth in the semi-finals while the Warriors had to overcome the NTU Renegades.
After several turnovers due to both sides failing to get the better of the opposing team’s defence it was the Tigers who opened the scoring from a deep pass, The Glasgow QB connecting with the Tigers #87 wide receiver after catching out the cornerback.
The PAT attempt was no good, giving Glasgow the early 6-0 lead with plenty of time left on the clock.
It was then Hallam’s defence who replied with a touch down of their own to level the scoring early in the second quarter. The score came from a recovered fumble following an attempted Glasgow pass deep inside of their own half. Veteran Hallam Lineman Stephen Connolly used his size and strength to force the error with a strong bull rush, before the ball was then scooped up and carried into the end zone by fellow D lineman Jordan Eaton.
The Hallam Offence then came on to take over the reins and add a successful extra two points, making the score 8-6 to Hallam just before the 2 minute warning sounded in the first half.
There was still time before the half ended for a fired up Hallam defence to again force another score, this time by way of a Safety after the Tigers QB was ruled to have intentionally grounded the ball. Half time sounded and the teams left the field with the score standing at 10-6 to Hallam.
It was made clear by the coaches that the offence had to step up and find another gear to match the performance the boys on the D were putting in, and this was met with a great response as the game recommenced.
Hallam scored early in the third quarter as QB Josh Allen held on to the ball and snuck into the end zone himself from a first and goal situation. The extra 2 point attempt was again good , making the score 18-6.
It was then time for rookie Running back Keith Kapishe, who had been outstanding all season after the unfortunate injury suffered by James Musonda, to add another Hallam touchdown following a screen pass from Allen. The extra 2 point attempt was stopped by Glasgow, leaving the score at 24-6 heading into 4th and final quarter.
The Tigers soon abandoned their running game and looked to throw deep on most plays in an effort to get back in the game late on. From one of these passes came a Warriors Interception as Middle Linebacker Gerry-Lee Pierre plucked the ball from the air with a one handed pick Odell Beckham Jr. would have been proud of.
Hallam’s defence then managed to force another Safety in the final few minutes following a bad snap at the 10 for Glasgow, as they tried to punt the ball away on 4th down. There was slight confusion as the score was originally ruled to be another Warriors Touchdown but the ball was dead in the end-zone before Hallam could recover.
There was time for a real tear-jerker moment on the final Hallam drive as a kitted up James Musonda pulled on a Warriors jersey for the first time since being carried off injured against the Leeds Celtics. Muzzo entered the action to a standing ovation as the Warriors assumed victory formation and took a knee to see out the game.
Final score Warriors 26 – Tigers 6.
Having secured promotion to the premiership for next year with an undefeated record, the boys will hope to end the season on an even bigger high with the prospect of back to back Varsity wins. This year’s Steel Bowl will be played at the SHU Sports Park on Wednesday 15th April, Kicking off at 6PM.
By Davey Silver, Publicity Officer #55
Last Sunday saw the two undefeated teams in the BUCS Division 1 North finally face off for the right to play Premiership football next season. Glasgow came into the game after beating Tarannau Aberystwyth in the semi-finals while the Warriors had to overcome the NTU Renegades.
After several turnovers due to both sides failing to get the better of the opposing team’s defence it was the Tigers who opened the scoring from a deep pass, The Glasgow QB connecting with the Tigers #87 wide receiver after catching out the cornerback.
The PAT attempt was no good, giving Glasgow the early 6-0 lead with plenty of time left on the clock.
It was then Hallam’s defence who replied with a touch down of their own to level the scoring early in the second quarter. The score came from a recovered fumble following an attempted Glasgow pass deep inside of their own half. Veteran Hallam Lineman Stephen Connolly used his size and strength to force the error with a strong bull rush, before the ball was then scooped up and carried into the end zone by fellow D lineman Jordan Eaton.
The Hallam Offence then came on to take over the reins and add a successful extra two points, making the score 8-6 to Hallam just before the 2 minute warning sounded in the first half.
There was still time before the half ended for a fired up Hallam defence to again force another score, this time by way of a Safety after the Tigers QB was ruled to have intentionally grounded the ball. Half time sounded and the teams left the field with the score standing at 10-6 to Hallam.
It was made clear by the coaches that the offence had to step up and find another gear to match the performance the boys on the D were putting in, and this was met with a great response as the game recommenced.
Hallam scored early in the third quarter as QB Josh Allen held on to the ball and snuck into the end zone himself from a first and goal situation. The extra 2 point attempt was again good , making the score 18-6.
It was then time for rookie Running back Keith Kapishe, who had been outstanding all season after the unfortunate injury suffered by James Musonda, to add another Hallam touchdown following a screen pass from Allen. The extra 2 point attempt was stopped by Glasgow, leaving the score at 24-6 heading into 4th and final quarter.
The Tigers soon abandoned their running game and looked to throw deep on most plays in an effort to get back in the game late on. From one of these passes came a Warriors Interception as Middle Linebacker Gerry-Lee Pierre plucked the ball from the air with a one handed pick Odell Beckham Jr. would have been proud of.
Hallam’s defence then managed to force another Safety in the final few minutes following a bad snap at the 10 for Glasgow, as they tried to punt the ball away on 4th down. There was slight confusion as the score was originally ruled to be another Warriors Touchdown but the ball was dead in the end-zone before Hallam could recover.
There was time for a real tear-jerker moment on the final Hallam drive as a kitted up James Musonda pulled on a Warriors jersey for the first time since being carried off injured against the Leeds Celtics. Muzzo entered the action to a standing ovation as the Warriors assumed victory formation and took a knee to see out the game.
Final score Warriors 26 – Tigers 6.
Having secured promotion to the premiership for next year with an undefeated record, the boys will hope to end the season on an even bigger high with the prospect of back to back Varsity wins. This year’s Steel Bowl will be played at the SHU Sports Park on Wednesday 15th April, Kicking off at 6PM.
By Davey Silver, Publicity Officer #55