After picking up their first win at Doncaster last week the Eagles were looking forward to a good performance in their National League Division 1 American Football home opener on Sunday.
Unfortunately the visiting Nottingham Caesars had other ideas and recorded a convincing 26-6 victory at Bedford International Athletics Stadium.
The stand out player was Caesars wide receiver Deivydas Merkelis, who hauled in three touchdown passes from quarterback Daniel Johnson. The first came midway through the first quarter as the Eagles defence uncharacteristically missed tackles to allow a good run after the catch to open the scoring.
Ouse Valley responded well with a good drive and got into field position to equalise, however Eagles quarterback Mikey Davies saw his pass intended for Ross Hubbard picked off by Nottingham linebacker Andrew Wilkins, who returned it the length of the field to increase the visitor’s advantage.
The half was closed with the Eagles picking up a few injuries to key players and facing a twenty point deficit going into the second half.
A high floating pass to the corner of the end zone saw Merkekis extend the lead further towards the end of the third.
The Eagles got on the board as replacement quarterback Zach Wodeage found running back Curtis Williston for a score as the game drew to a close but in truth this was no more than consolation for the hosts, who now have a fortnight to regroup before making the short trip to Peterborough to meet the Saxons on Sunday 8th May.
Report by Mark Chilton, photograph courtesy of Steve Guy.
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