UCLan Rams 6 - 48 Sheffield Sabres (15/12/19)

The Sabres hosted the UCLan Rams in a game that, given the respective form of both teams, could decide which of the two retained their place in Division One. The Sabres were much improved last time out against Leeds, holding the free-scoring Gryphons offence to just 12 points. The offence still had their struggles at times, but that as not the case in this game. On the first offensive drive of the game WR Mark Price, making his return injury, scored on a 9-yard TD pass from QB Sam Worrall, set up by a 43-yard catch, again by Price.

The defence also started strong, with DB Liam Pratt catching his third interception in 2 games before finding his way into the end zone, unfortunately denied a pick-six by a block in the back penalty. The Sabres scored again soon after though, Mark Price scoring his second touchdown of the first quarter with a 14-yard catch.

After another defensive stop, the Sabres quickly extended their lead on a 65-yard screen pass, Mark Price completing a quick hat-trick, the closest thing to stopping him scoring was OL George Condon’s clumsy feet. The Sabres’ next offensive driver produced another interception, this time by LB Charlie Jones. This set up RB Joe Dorr to score from 2-yards out, the first touchdown of his Sabres career.

The Rams offence immediately gave the ball back to the Sabres on the first play of their subsequent offensive drive. They were picked off by the other starting LB, Alex Garcia, in a carbon copy of the interception just a few plays earlier. The Sabres again capitalised on the turnover with QB Sam Worrall scoring on a run up the middle after a great block by Alex Garcia. The Sabres finished a relentless first half by scoring another touchdown, WR Joe Batchelor scoring on a 2-yard jet sweep after a 51-yard completion to Mark Price. The Sabres went into the break 40-0 to the good, and it looked like there was no stopping them.

As the game restarted, the Sabres seemed to have been hit with their season’s usual curse, and began the second half very flat on both sides of the ball. The Rams finally produced a meaningful drive, scoring on a 2-yard TD run set up by three long completions. After a stuttering first few drives to begin the second half, the Sabres offence immediately responded to UCLan’s first score of the game. Big completions to WRs Barney Thorpe and Harry Bazley setting up RB Ben Playfer to score from 2-yards out, extending the lead to 46-6.

As the Sabres began to give their backups some game time, the relentless onslaught died down a little, the only score for the remainder of the game being a safety by the Sabres defence after a poor snap and pressure by George Condon. The Sabres could’ve increased their tally further if it wasn’t for the turf bringing Barney Thorpe to the ground as he ran free into the end zone, WR Akym Davis being chased down with a great effort by a UCLan DB and an athletic pass break up on WR Joe Batchelor on the goal line.

The result now means that the Sabres must match or better UCLan’s results to officially retain their place in Division 1, but they still have the added motivation of a potential play-off berth if they win their remaining two games against the LJMU Fury and Hallam Warriors.