The Sheffield Hallam Warriors came out victorious in the first instalment of the Steel City rivalry. A 17-8 win at Bawtry gave Hallam the perfect start to their 2018/19 campaign in game one of three against the University of Sheffield Sabres this season.
The home side won the toss and deferred possession of the ball until the second half, and so kicked off the new season themselves.
The Hallam defence set the precedence for the game from the off, halting the Sabres short game and forcing them to throw deep on third down. And that’s just where Sam Fossey was waiting to pick the ball off, continuing where he left off last season, having led the team in interceptions throughout the 2017/18.campaign.
The Hallam defence set the precedence for the game from the off, halting the Sabres short game and forcing them to throw deep on third down. And that’s just where Sam Fossey was waiting to pick the ball off, continuing where he left off last season, having led the team in interceptions throughout the 2017/18.campaign.
The Warriors offence made the break through early in the second quarter, having been given great field position by the dominating defensive line. Quarterback Ewan Chisholm dumped the screen pass off to second year running back Tom Shipton, who followed his blocks downfield and powered over the line. The extra point was successfully converted by Luka Fadrique.
Both side’s defences did enough to hold the game to 7-0 at the half, but Hallam were steadily finding their feet with the run game, optimising their committee of running back options.
The Sabres were the first to strike after play resumed with a passing touch down. The decision to go for the 2-point attempt was a good one for the visitors, taking the lead 8-7 early in the third quarter.
However, Hallam’s offence was quick to reply. Following a long drive down field, Fadrique kicked a 25-yard field goal to put the Warriors 2 points ahead.
Both side’s defences did enough to hold the game to 7-0 at the half, but Hallam were steadily finding their feet with the run game, optimising their committee of running back options.
The Sabres were the first to strike after play resumed with a passing touch down. The decision to go for the 2-point attempt was a good one for the visitors, taking the lead 8-7 early in the third quarter.
However, Hallam’s offence was quick to reply. Following a long drive down field, Fadrique kicked a 25-yard field goal to put the Warriors 2 points ahead.
University of Sheffield were next to get into the red zone, benefitting from a penalty flag on fourth down to take them into field goal range and a fresh set of downs. Hallam’s defence was resilient and kept the opponent’s attacks at bay. On fourth down, the Sabres decided to attempt a field goal of their own to regain the lead.
But Warriors’ rookie linebacker Barron Abrahams had other ideas. Breaking through the blocking unit, Abrahams threw himself into the path of the kick and deflected it away, to be recovered by Mitch Leggett and returned for 20 yards. Hallam’s ball, Hallam’s advantage.
The host’s offence made the most of the possession and drove down field to the red zone. Chisholm found Fadrique on a slant route and the veteran receiver made the most of his experience to cut away from the oncoming defender to make his way to the end zone to stretch Hallam’s lead. The touchdown scorer then continued his kicking duties, sending the ball sailing through the uprights to make the score Hallam 17-8 University of Sheffield.
But Warriors’ rookie linebacker Barron Abrahams had other ideas. Breaking through the blocking unit, Abrahams threw himself into the path of the kick and deflected it away, to be recovered by Mitch Leggett and returned for 20 yards. Hallam’s ball, Hallam’s advantage.
The host’s offence made the most of the possession and drove down field to the red zone. Chisholm found Fadrique on a slant route and the veteran receiver made the most of his experience to cut away from the oncoming defender to make his way to the end zone to stretch Hallam’s lead. The touchdown scorer then continued his kicking duties, sending the ball sailing through the uprights to make the score Hallam 17-8 University of Sheffield.
With the 2-minute warning came the last chance for the Sabres to get back into the game. Held up deep in their own half, the offence struggled to get anything going against the superb Hallam line-led defensive unit, who’s defensive line stuffed every run play the Sabres threw at them.
Rookie Gregor Lennon and second year Jason Dankyi each finished the game with 3 sacks each, contributing to a team total of 9. Not to mention Abrahams who was named the game MVP on his first outing in the sport. But it was another Warriors debutant who made the final big play of the game – Ben Hopkinson forcing the fumble before recovering it himself to all-but seal the game for the home side.
Rookie Gregor Lennon and second year Jason Dankyi each finished the game with 3 sacks each, contributing to a team total of 9. Not to mention Abrahams who was named the game MVP on his first outing in the sport. But it was another Warriors debutant who made the final big play of the game – Ben Hopkinson forcing the fumble before recovering it himself to all-but seal the game for the home side.
In an impressive outing by many in the maroon of Hallam, it was the performance of the team’s debutants which impressed starting quarterback and team chairman Chisholm: “Rookies on either side of the ball gave good accounts of themselves.
“Both offensive linemen, Ahmet and Haidar, stepped up on their debuts. Then on defence Gregor and Alex on the D-Line, along with Dan Healey at CB had big games. Plus Barron at linebacker, who had an outstanding first game and took the overall MVP honours”.
While there is room for improvement for the Warriors across all three formats of the game, coming out of game one with a win over the cross-city rivals can only do good for Hallam moving forwards. And the impressive performances of rookies on both sides of the ball suggests a promising future could be instore for this generation of Warriors ballers.
“Both offensive linemen, Ahmet and Haidar, stepped up on their debuts. Then on defence Gregor and Alex on the D-Line, along with Dan Healey at CB had big games. Plus Barron at linebacker, who had an outstanding first game and took the overall MVP honours”.
While there is room for improvement for the Warriors across all three formats of the game, coming out of game one with a win over the cross-city rivals can only do good for Hallam moving forwards. And the impressive performances of rookies on both sides of the ball suggests a promising future could be instore for this generation of Warriors ballers.
Hallam now go into a double bye week before a trip to the University of Manchester Tyrants on Sunday 25th November. The Tyrants have yet to kick off their season following last year's promotion back to Division 1 having been relegated the previous campaign.