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Senior Flag Report
June 10th, 2010
The Jets’ Senior Flag team were once again on their travels as they visited the Capital for a double header. A first competitive match against the Basingstoke Zombie Horde was preceded by a meeting with the hosting London Rebels. The Jets defence once again started strong but were cruelly beaten on 4th and long plays on both of the Rebels first two drives. Each conversion eventually led to a touchdown leaving the Jets in an early hole.
Offensively the Jets were suffering with some dropped catches that would have moved them up the field. Coventry did eventually complete a pass when first year quarterback Adam Grindrod found centre and offensive MVP on the day Rob Coleman who caught the ball for a 5 yard gain only to weave his way into the open field beating two Rebels defenders and sprint for a 50 yard touchdown. Not known for his running strengths Coleman wasn’t pleased when he returned to the Jets sideline, complaining that he had to run the extra yards due to this year’s rule change.
London hit back within two plays as the Jets defence failed to make a tackle on a long rushing play. Coventry marched down the field just before halftime as Luke Gambrill, making his first appearance of the season, finished off a swift drive to leave the Jets just six points down at the half 19-13. The Jets didn’t seem to come out of their huddle for the second half as the Rebels scored two more quick fire touchdowns.
Steve Timmins found the endzone for the Jets to slash the deficit to 19-32. Another score was added late in the game by Grindrod as he broke out of the backfield to squeeze into the endzone. With just 32 seconds remaining the Rebels wasted an opportunity to run out the clock handing the Jets a chance to snatch victory. Grindrod’s long bomb intended for Steve Timmins was caught by the wind and sailed direct into the hands of a Rebels defensive back leaving the final score at 25-32 to the Rebels.
In the day’s other game the Jets fought the Zombie Horde and took the lead in a game for the first time this season. Grindrod found speedy receiver Timmins who went on a similar run to Coleman’s to notch six points on the scoreboard. Timmins caught another pass, this time from back up wildcat quarterback Coleman to stretch the Jets’ lead back to six after Basingstoke had levelled the score. Unfortunately the Jets couldn’t make the lead stick and surrendered two quick touchdowns to the Horde who, on the day, were a very well oiled outfit with an efficient passing attack.
Head Coach Andrew Gambrill’s endzone reception pulled the Jets to within one point at the half. Once again the Jets were sluggish to start the second half and conceded early before an interception by defensive MVP Adam Grindrod set up a score for Tikisha McCook. Any thoughts of a Jets comeback were quickly extinguished by the Horde as some good running carved through the Jets defence for the final score of the game.
Rookie Tendai Chieza playing linebacker for the Jets in her debut game ended up with two quarterback hurries on the day delighting Gambrill “I’m very pleased with Tendai she will fit in very nicely here at the Jets and is learning very quickly” stated the Head Coach “she also adds to our budding female contingent here at the Jets who, when I last checked, are the only team to have females playing in the league. We now have four active females on our squad which is great for league development. Everyone is welcome here at the Jets.”
Gambrill said of his young side’s effort “I’m extremely happy with what we have achieved today. Yes it hurts to get so close in both games but I know the wins will come, I was very pleased with every one of my players today.” The Jets now have two home events coming up the first is against Woodham Warriors Black and South Wales Warriors. 44 year old Gambrill added “It will be nice to be at home for a couple of events as the early starts are killing me”
Not only will these be the Jets’ first home games of the season it’ll also see a bumper day of flag games as, in all, five teams will be in attendance. Apart from the hosting Jets, Woodham Warriors will be sending both their White and Black teams to join the South Wales Warriors and Chichester Sharks. The event takes place on Sunday the 13th of June at the War Memorial Park with the action getting underway at 11am.
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