Sunday the 24th August 2014 will go down as a memorable day in the history of the Ouse Valley Eagles. It was a day that seen a team reach its goals, and strive to go further, only to be quashed in literally, the last few minutes.
The Solent Thrashers were deserving victors in an exciting game, which was a credit to British American Football, and was played the way the game was meant to be played.
With both sides clearly nervous at the start of the game, it was the referees who set the tone for the afternoon, by throwing a flag on the very first play of game. It would not be their last.
After starting on their 20 yard line, the Thrashers were pushed back through various penalties and some stout defense from the Eagles, before they threw an errant pass straight into the arms of Eagles CB Paul Green, who managed to get the ball back to the Solent 5 yard line.
With an extremely short field, it took the Eagles just 3 plays to break through the Solent defense and secure the 1st points of the game, with #31 Yomi Okuboyejo scoring the Eagles first ever post-season points, running in for the touchdown, with Vasco Dias adding the PAT giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead.
The Thrashers returned the ensuing kickoff back to the Eagles 35 yard line, and scored a few plays later through a strong running game.
The first and second quarter generally flew past with neither offense really taking a hold, or getting much of a chance to due to the referees need to throw flags.
Finally the game kicked back into life with around 4 minutes left in the half, the Thrashers broke through again, after a long run from #18. That score was converted to give the Thrashers a 7 point lead.
The Eagles came out strong after that, with QB Stuart Franklin working well with Offensive Co-ordinator Neale McMaster to orchestrate the offense all the way down to the Thrashers 8 yard line. With the Eagles having no timeouts and needing the ball to be spotted to spike it and stop the clock, the half was blown dead with the official walking over to the spot with the ball in his hand. The Thrashers led 14-7 going into the half.
A stern half time team talk from the Eagles HC Will White seemed to work its magic, as the Eagles came out firing from the break, with the Eagles once again working their way all the way down to the Solent 1 yard line, before an errant pass from QB Franklin saw the ball picked off and downed in the End zone.
After several punts were exchanged, it was the Thrashers who were next to break through, with #4, playing offense, defense and special teams for the 60 strong Solent Roster, taking it 55 yards to the house, making the score 21-7.
The following kickoff was received by return specialist Chris Parr, who took the ball back to the Solent 37 yard line.
It took the Eagles only one play to get the score, with #48 Kalaba ‘Kase’ Chibwe speeding in on a draw play. The PAT attempt was good, and the score was 21-14 going into the fourth quarter.
The first quarter started brightly for the Eagles with Safety Danny Lipner intercepting a long pass, giving the Eagles the ball back on their own 15 yard line.
The old connection of Franklin o Dawes was once again in full swing, as they connected on a long fade pattern down the left sideline, taking the ball to the Thrashers 25 yard line.
A quick 7 yard gain from Chibwe set up the touchdown pass, with Franklin connecting with Dawes at the back of the endzone, again on the fade route. The PAT was blocked and the Eagles closed the gap to 21-20.
The ensuing drive saw Solent put together a strong drive, taking the ball down to the Eagles 5 yard line. The drive looked as if it was stalling when 3 downs went for little gain, before on 4th down, in came #4 for the Thrashers who duly walked the ball into the endzone, taking the score line to 28-20.
The Eagles was buoyed by their performance in the 2nd half so far, but an off-target throw was intercepted on the second play of the drive. This seemed to deflate the entire team, and was easily the turning point for the game.
Solent failed to capitalise on the mistake, but a punt from Solent, was matched by a quick 4 and out from the Eagles, before Solent put the dagger in the heart of the Eagles, running in a score after the two minute warning to kill any spirit the Eagles had left.
Knowing their fate, the Eagles battled through, but eventually turned over on downs, allowing Solent to kneel out the game.
Solent, who were 21 point favourites in this game, were well deserving of their victory, but were gracious enough to concede that was easily the hardest game they have played, and will feel relieved they came out of the game with a win.
An underrated Eagles side should feel proud of their accomplishments. There are no other first year teams in the league to have made the playoffs, and despite not being a rookie team, a great deal of hard work has went in to merging the two clubs, and getting the Eagles to compete as a team.
After the game, Head Coach Will White said “We knew it would be a challenge against a very tough team, and it proved to be just that. Myself and my OC Neale McMaster had good game plans, but it was a great chess game between great coaches on both teams.
“In the end, it boiled down to Solent being the better team by taking advantage of some key mistakes. Our hats off to them, they are a great team.”
The Eagles will now enjoy a few weeks break before announcing our rookie days tour locations and dates, and organising off-season events.