The Hallam Warriors' first away day of the year was a successful one, following a 6-46 victory over the University of Manchester Tyrants.
Following a solid performance last time out against the Steel City rivals the University of Sheffield Sabres, Hallam's defence got the side off to a perfect start. Having chosen to receiver the ball first, the Tyrants instantly found themselves pinned back in their own half.
With just the second play of the game, linebacker Mitch Leggett picked off a stray pass from the Manchester quarterback and returned it all the way to the house, putting 6 points on the board for the visitors early. Luka Fadrique kicked the extra point successfully, and with hardly any time gone the Warriors found themselves 7-0 up.
With just the second play of the game, linebacker Mitch Leggett picked off a stray pass from the Manchester quarterback and returned it all the way to the house, putting 6 points on the board for the visitors early. Luka Fadrique kicked the extra point successfully, and with hardly any time gone the Warriors found themselves 7-0 up.
And the defence wasn't done there. Pressure up front on the Tyrants' next possession forced them to punt from their own 1 yard line following a poor snap. With the punt so close to their own end zone, the hosts had very little room to operate and the punt was blocked, to be recovered in the end zone by rookie defensive lineman Alex Cotton. Hallam had two touchdowns on the board without the offence even taking the field. Fadrique's kick once again sailed through the posts to make the score 14-0.
Finally the Warriors' offence got out there, and they took no time to add their own contributions to the game. A breaking run from quarterback Ewan Chisholm followed by a quick pass to Dutch Stephenson got Hallam into the red zone on their first drive, before Chisholm ran the ball in for a 3 yard touchdown. The kick was missed, and Hallam led 20-0 in the first quarter.
The Tyrants then benefited from a fumble in Hallam's own half to give them a good field position and punched in a touchdown of their own. The two point attempt was no good, 20-6 to Hallam at the end of the first quarter.
The Warriors offence found a good balance of the ground and air game, and a 30 yard pass to Dan Procter brought his first touch down of the year, and the converted PAT made it 27-6.
The Tyrants then benefited from a fumble in Hallam's own half to give them a good field position and punched in a touchdown of their own. The two point attempt was no good, 20-6 to Hallam at the end of the first quarter.
The Warriors offence found a good balance of the ground and air game, and a 30 yard pass to Dan Procter brought his first touch down of the year, and the converted PAT made it 27-6.
The bruising Warriors defence continued to hold the Tyrants' attacks at bay, with Jason Dankyi adding to his season's sacks tally and Tom Martin getting his first of the season. The Manchester offence were not allowed a sniff at goal, and were forced to punt away each possession.
Meanwhile rookie running back Caleb Kasujja Sekitto got his first touchdown for the Warriors, catching a screen pass from Chisholm and racing 11 yards to the end zone. Fadrique struck the upright with his kick, leaving the score at 33-6 at the half.
Meanwhile rookie running back Caleb Kasujja Sekitto got his first touchdown for the Warriors, catching a screen pass from Chisholm and racing 11 yards to the end zone. Fadrique struck the upright with his kick, leaving the score at 33-6 at the half.
Hallam resumed business in the second half, though unable to convert their first drive down the field. Yet another forced punt from the Hallam D led to a second rushing touchdown of the day for Chisholm, after a previous run had been pulled back for a block in the back. 40-6 lead for the visitors.
For those who have followed BritBall over the past 10 years, or even just followed Hallam for the past couple, what happened next would seem unusual. Dutch Stephenson, a Premiership winning quarterback and the starting Warriors QB for the past two years has switched to play slot receiver for Hallam, and had his first receiving TD for the side, using his size to good effect and reeling in the catch. The PAT was no good, and Hallam had a 46-6 lead.
This brought Hallam's lead to over 35 points, and so the running clock rule was introduced, meaning the remaining time would expire before Hallam could reach their first 50-burger of the season. Rookie running back Morgan Thomas had found the pay dirt following a 25 yard screen, but a holding call brought the play back and Hallam had to be content with their points total, kneeing out the game and going to 2-0.
For those who have followed BritBall over the past 10 years, or even just followed Hallam for the past couple, what happened next would seem unusual. Dutch Stephenson, a Premiership winning quarterback and the starting Warriors QB for the past two years has switched to play slot receiver for Hallam, and had his first receiving TD for the side, using his size to good effect and reeling in the catch. The PAT was no good, and Hallam had a 46-6 lead.
This brought Hallam's lead to over 35 points, and so the running clock rule was introduced, meaning the remaining time would expire before Hallam could reach their first 50-burger of the season. Rookie running back Morgan Thomas had found the pay dirt following a 25 yard screen, but a holding call brought the play back and Hallam had to be content with their points total, kneeing out the game and going to 2-0.
After the final whistle, head coach and offensive coordinator Tom Kharchi was quick to heap praise on the Hallam offensive line: "The boys up front were quality today, they did the hard work to put everyone else in a position to make plays. They were the game MVP's".
Hallam's next match up sees a visit from the LJMU Fury. While the Fury are 0-3 going into the game, Hallam will be wary of their offence who has managed to put up almost 100 points this season despite being on the losing side. But if the Warriors' defence continues to perform in the manner that they have started this season, they will be confident of coming away from Bawtry with another win under their belts.
Hallam's next match up sees a visit from the LJMU Fury. While the Fury are 0-3 going into the game, Hallam will be wary of their offence who has managed to put up almost 100 points this season despite being on the losing side. But if the Warriors' defence continues to perform in the manner that they have started this season, they will be confident of coming away from Bawtry with another win under their belts.