The U.K storm that swept the nation could not stop the Kingston Cougars rolling into Oxford for their final game of the season. With a 2-3 record they were looking to finish at .500, meanwhile the Lancers were looking to bounce back after a heart wrenching loss to the Panthers the week before.

 

The Lancer’s home field in Marston was once again flooded so the Lancer’s exec did a great job of making their training field in Wolfson a suitable girdiron for the game.

 

Wolfson does not have goal posts, but with so much wind and rain it was unlikely either team was going to kick anyways. The stormy weather dictated a very run heavy game from both teams, resulting in just one pass complete all game.

 

Crucial Field Position

 

After a decent kick return from the Lancers via a crucial block from rookie receiver, Kele Apakama they had a good field position, but the Cougars defense loaded the box and stuffed the runs. Nolan Whitccomb at qb, was inches shy of moving the sticks on a fourth and three, which resulted in a turn over on downs.

 

The Lancers defense stood strong and forced a three and out, and that’s how things went for both teams on their next drives.  On the Cougars third punt, the Lancers punt returner muffed the field punt and the Cougars got on the ball, and this time were in the Lancer’s red zone. Two plays later they had rumbled into the endzone but did not covert.

 

Goal line stand

 

With both teams running up the guy the first half went by very quickly. With a few minutes left in the game the Lancers were punting from their 30. Sadly due to the constant rain, the ball was wet and slippery and the low snap allowed the Cougars to get the ball back, once again with a short field. That’s when they decided to put in their 300 pound lineman at running back. He rumbled into the end zone untouched, but it was called back for a block in the back. That gave the Lancer some breathing room and they stood tall for a goal line defensive stand to run the clock out, leaving it 0-6 for the visitors at the half.

 

Ray of sunshine

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After the break the rain stopped and the sun came out. Instantly the Lancers knew they could then start passing, though sadly the passes were dropped and the Cougars had the ball back.

 

The Cougars remained with their massive running back who pierced the Lancers defense for a 50 yard rumble to the red zone, and just two plays later the Cougars Qb rolled in for a rushing Td and once again could not convert.

 

The Lancers defense did force two fumbles in the second half, but despite making one pass completion to move the chains, the Lancers struggled to get big plays and first downs.

 

The Cougars continued to hold onto the ball with their Quarterback moving the chains often by tacking on crucial yards after contact. In the fourth quarter, the visitors played prevent defense giving the Lancers some ground yards, but the home team could not seem to get into a grove and the game was sadly over.

 

The Lancers sit at 1-3 with bottom of the division, Winchester next week, followed by the league leaders UCL, but hopefully the Lancers can win out, get to .500.

 

Awards

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DMVP- Elliot Sturge

Hammer- Josh Hindley

ST- Kele Apakama

Juice-  Elliot Sturge, James Sutton- fumble recoveries.