top of page

Sheffield Sabres 12 - 18 UCLan Rams (01/12/19)

A frosty UCLan Sports Arena played host to the Sabres, facing off against the UCLan Rams. Both teams were winless coming into this game, and will have marked it down as the game to get their respective seasons back on track.


The Sabres started the game on offence, looking to carry on the momentum from their near fourth quarter heroics against the Hallam Warriors. The early signs indicated that this was the case, with strong running from QB Mark Price and RB Joe Dorr. The Sabres defence also came out of the blocks strong, with the Rams going 3-and-out on each of their first 4 offensive drives. With the Sabres’ strong running game eating away at the clock, it was already the start of the second quarter by the time Price punched the ball into the end zone from the 1-yard line, making up for a missed field goal on the previous drive. It didn’t take long for them to score again, Price running the ball into the end zone for the second drive in a row, set up by a 21-yard pass to rookie WR Dom Meeks.


The teams traded 3-and-outs for the remainder of the first half, the Rams offence still not able to overcome the Sabres D in either the air or on the ground. Despite going in to the half with a 12-0 lead, it was tinged slightly as QB and offensive focal point Mark Price went down with an injury late in the second quarter, unable to continue.


As the teams came out for the second half, the momentum of the game changed sides. The Rams offence finally began to move the ball against the up-until-now dominant Sabres defence, and offence started to stall, struggling to move the ball downfield. The Rams scored their first touchdown midway through the third quarter, with a string of outside runs that the Sabres were unable to defend against.


As night fell and the fourth quarter was approaching, the Sabres defenced seemed to have slowed the momentum the Rams had built up, forcing them to punt. However, the Rams ran a fake, which they converted and gave themselves a new set of downs. They took full advantage, scoring with a pass over the middle after a breakdown in coverage. Two failed two-point conversions meant the score was tied at 12-12 going in to the fourth.


Despite the Sabres defence forcing two turnovers late in the game, an interception by rookie CB Tom Lovatt and a forced fumble on a punt return by LB Alex Garcia, it was not enough to put the Sabres offence in scoring position.


The Rams capitalised on field position gained another fake punt, scoring late in the fourth to take the lead for the first time. It was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, and they held on to take their first win of the season leave the Sabres with an 0-4 record at the halfway point in the season.

Next up for the Sabres is the visit of the Leeds Gryphons, who they faced in their season opener. The Gryphons have had an excellent start back to life in Division 1, sitting at 4-0 and atop the division standings.



 
 
 

Comments


  • Facebook - White Circle
  • Twitter - White Circle
  • Instagram - White Circle

© 2023 by Jade&Andy. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page