Ouse Valley Eagles started their inaugural season in the British American Football Association National League (BAFANL) with a mistake laden defeat to closest rivals Watford Cheetahs.
It was a two minute spell that put the Cheetahs ahead, and it was a position the Eagles could not claw their way back from. The first two quarters saw both offences fail to make much groud but with less than two minutes to go in the first quarter an interception by the Cheetahs gave them excellent field position. Two plays later and the Cheetahs had put the first points of their season on the board, with the score 6-0.
The Eagles once again put themselves under pressure when failing to field a kick off, allowing the Cheetahs to recover it on the 21 yard line of the Eagles end zone. It didn’t take long for the Cheetahs to double their lead and at half time they led 12-0.
Much like the first two quarters, the third quarter was littered with fumbles and interceptions as both offences failed to get into any sort of rhythm. The final score came in the forth quarter as the Cheetahs returned a punt. Having failed to convert a PAT (point after touchdown) and a 2-point conversion after the earlier touchdowns, the Cheetahs finally put the ball over the upright to make it 19-0.
It was a disappointing start for the newly formed Eagles who have come into existence with Bedfordshire Blue Raiders and Milton Keynes Pathfinders merging at the end of the 2013 season. Head Coach Will White said after the game ‘Overall, D (defence) had a good game, but offence never got into a rhythm and football is all about rhythm.’
The Eagles will play London Hornets next week and Coach White is sure ‘we will come out firing on Sunday (27th April)’.
Check out some excellent photo’s of the game day here: http://www.glnphotography.com/galleries/2014-04-20-Cheetahs-Eagles/