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Sheffield Sabres vs UCLan Rams game report

5 December 2018

After the Hallam Warriors, the Sabres’ next biggest rival is the UCLan Rams. The Rams have always been a strong contender in this division and this year is no exception. Coming in undefeated at 3-0, it was clear that the Sabres would need to have a near perfect performance to come away as victors.

With the Sabres receiving the ball at the start they made quick gains, a 20-yard pass to TE #16 Bruno Schatten put the Sabres on the halfway mark. But a series of failed rush attempts meant the offence had to punt the ball away.

On come the defence, who after a strong performance against a high-scoring LJMU team, had high confidence coming into this. On the first play, the Rams opened up the secondary with a 28-yard pass. One part of the defence that has been consistent throughout the season so far is the defensive line, in their next set of downs the D-line was able to minimize the Rams run game, but mistakes in the secondary meant that the Rams were able to pick up a crucial first down. It would only take two plays for the Rams to reach the end zone to take the score to 0-7.

With the offence back on, they were immediately off it again with the Rams holding them to a three and out. With the defence back on, a message needs to sent, the messenger? DT #77 Robert Ebbatson who charged through the line to make short work of the UCLan running back. Not learning from the previous play, the Rams once again decided to run the ball, only to be meet by LB #17 Alex Garcia and DE #55 Mo Ahmed, three and out, the offence were back on.

Another series another three and out after a penalty pushed back the offence. It became clear that the defence had to step up with the Sabres wanted to come away with the W. Another three and out looked certain, but with it fourth and one, the Rams opted to go for it. Once again, they didn’t learn as both Mo and Rob stopped the Ram’s running back on the line of scrimmage to put the offence back on the field.

This time around, the Sabres would march down the field thanks to WR #89 Joseph Warriner 23-yard catch. With the offence eight yards away from the end zone, the UCLan Rams dug in to deny the Sabres any points as they stopped a crucial fourth down. With defence back on, they successfully pinned the Rams to their own three yard line, forcing the punt.

Once back on, QB #10 Sam Worrall connected with his favourite target, WR #88 Harrison Bazley for a 37-yard touchdown to put the Sabres back in the game. With the extra point wide right, the score stood at 6-7. UCLan knew they needed an answer before the game turned to the Sabres, by abandoning the run game, within five downs they were able to go 65-yards to score their second touchdown of the game. A superman-like block from Mo in the PAT put the scores at 6-13.

Once again, the offence stalled. This time the Rams were able to pick off Sam just inside Sabres territory. Step up, rookie FS Niall Brotherridge who got a much-needed pick as the first half was coming to a close. With 85-yards separating the offence from UCLan end zone, Sam went to work. An 11-yard run from Rookie RB George Condon helped set up a 29-yard pass to Harrison yet again to put the Sabres in UCLan territory. An 18-yard screen to George put the Sabres in the red zone with seconds remaining. With Warriner open, in the end zone, Sam launched the ball to give the Sabres their second touchdown of the day. A successful two point conversion put the Sabres in the lead 14-13 going into the half.

The second half was dominated by interceptions, on the opening drive CB #9 Mofi Jaiyebo got his first pick of the day. With the offence gaining confidence in the defence, they knew they didn’t need to punt. With defence back on after the offence failed to convert on a fourth down. Not wanting to feel left out, CB #44 Nathan Brereton picked off the Rams, putting the Sabres back onto the field only to be held to a three and out yet again. With the Rams deciding to run the ball yet again, Mo decided to punish them with a forced fumble that was recovered by the defence. This time around the Sabres offence capitalised with a 32-yard pass to…you guessed it…Harrison for the touchdown. A failed two point conversion meant the scores stood at 20-13.

What followed was the half being dominated by both defences, a sack by Rob pushed the Rams offence back, the Sabres offence went three and out. Then Mofi secured his second pick, only for the offence to go three and out. Then on the next series, Mofi secured his third pick (which should’ve been a pick six, just saying) only for the offense to not capitalise.

The final seconds counting down, the Rams went into desperation mode. A (somewhat questionable) PI call gave the Rams a new set of downs and they didn’t waste time as they marched into Sabres territory with 35-yard pass. With seconds remaining, the defence held the Rams to fourth and 10, in the dying the seconds S #13 Joseph Busby stepped up to break up the final pass to secure a well-earnt victory for the Black and Gold.

The Sabres now move up to second in the conference and have had a statement to the rest of Division 1.