As we approach the second half of the 2018/19 BUCS regular season, it’s a good time to look back on the first half of the Sheffield Hallam Warriors’ campaign.
The Warriors boast a perfect start to the season across the opening four games for the third successive year and sit at the top of the tree for the entire Division 1 North.
The Warriors boast a perfect start to the season across the opening four games for the third successive year and sit at the top of the tree for the entire Division 1 North.
And a large part of that record is down to the Warriors’ defence, who boast the top defensive record in the Yorkshire/Lancashire league by a comfortable margin, averaging less than 8 points conceded per game.
The Warriors D has proved a tough side to break down through the air, but even more so along the ground where the defensive line has been ever dominant.
Rookie defensive tackles Gregor Lennon and Alex Cotton have made the starting spots their own, following Lennon recording three sacks in the opening game against the University of Sheffield Sabres while Cotton scored the first fumble recovery touchdown of the year the following week at the University of Manchester Tyrants.
The Warriors D has proved a tough side to break down through the air, but even more so along the ground where the defensive line has been ever dominant.
Rookie defensive tackles Gregor Lennon and Alex Cotton have made the starting spots their own, following Lennon recording three sacks in the opening game against the University of Sheffield Sabres while Cotton scored the first fumble recovery touchdown of the year the following week at the University of Manchester Tyrants.
Mitch Leggett has made the transition across from the offensive side of the ball to become a key feature in the Hallam defence, leading the side on the field and recording the team’s first pick six of the campaign.
He’s been joined in the linebacker corp by rookie Barron Abrahams, who has taken to the sport like a fish to water being named the MVP in his debut outing.
The importance of having the vastly experienced Richard Batty back at the helm calling the shots for the defence cannot be understated.
Batty’s simple yet effective schemes have allowed rookies like Abrahams to make impacts early on, while utilising experienced weapons such as Jason Dankyi at defensive end and Eisley Dizon at safety.
He’s been joined in the linebacker corp by rookie Barron Abrahams, who has taken to the sport like a fish to water being named the MVP in his debut outing.
The importance of having the vastly experienced Richard Batty back at the helm calling the shots for the defence cannot be understated.
Batty’s simple yet effective schemes have allowed rookies like Abrahams to make impacts early on, while utilising experienced weapons such as Jason Dankyi at defensive end and Eisley Dizon at safety.
While the defence has been notably impressive, the offence cannot be ignored. The Warriors are averaging just shy of thirty points per game, with the pass game leading the division. Quarterback Ewan Chisholm has found six different receivers for touchdowns – speedy wideout Dan Procter leading the way with three receiving scores despite being injured for the side’s trip to the UCLAN Rams.
Chisholm has been just as effective in the Warriors’ run game, making the most of the option offence to rush for four touchdowns and lead the side in rushing yards. The duel-threat quarterback has found his feet after officially taking the starting job from converted slot receiver Dutch Stephenson.
Though following an injury to Chisholm against the Rams in game four, Stephenson returned to his roots and slung the game winning touchdown pass to Alex Cooper – another experienced player who has converted to a new position for this season.
Chisholm has been just as effective in the Warriors’ run game, making the most of the option offence to rush for four touchdowns and lead the side in rushing yards. The duel-threat quarterback has found his feet after officially taking the starting job from converted slot receiver Dutch Stephenson.
Though following an injury to Chisholm against the Rams in game four, Stephenson returned to his roots and slung the game winning touchdown pass to Alex Cooper – another experienced player who has converted to a new position for this season.
The Warriors return to action in February, with a trip across the city to take on the University of Sheffield Sabres in the second of three matchups this season.
Since their defeat to the Warriors on the season opener, the Sabres have won each of their last four matches, going into the break at 4-1 and second in the Yorkshire/Lancashire league.
The game is bound to be a tough one for both sides after the drama of the first leg fixture, and eyes from all around the Division 1 North will be on this match up as an indicator of who may go furthest come the playoffs.
Since their defeat to the Warriors on the season opener, the Sabres have won each of their last four matches, going into the break at 4-1 and second in the Yorkshire/Lancashire league.
The game is bound to be a tough one for both sides after the drama of the first leg fixture, and eyes from all around the Division 1 North will be on this match up as an indicator of who may go furthest come the playoffs.