Chester Romans blow out the Bombers
Chester Romans’ 2013 campaign in BAFA National Central began in emphatic style with a 40-0 victory away at Lincolnshire Bombers.
In conditions akin to the same fixture that opened the 2012 campaign, high winds and a chill in the air, the Romans wasted no time in getting themselves on the scoresheet thanks to a fumble forced by the Romans’ defence where a sharp offence took to the field and after a few plays scored their first touchdown of the 2013 season.
A touchdown pass from Quarterback Bradley Chilvers, to Wide Receiver Michael Banks, with the PAT good leaving the Romans to lead 7-0.
The Bombers turned the ball over again, this time by a poor pass from their QB picked off by Nadgy Khirat, this time however the offence was not able to capitalise and after some successful drives from both teams the first quarter ended 7-0 to the Romans.
As the second quarter got underway it didn’t take long for another Romans’ score through Rory Mansfield and once more the PAT was good, 14-0. Another failed Bombers drive gave the ball back to the Romans and this time they ran all the way into the endzone, the final running play by #26 James Tootle, however they could not find the bonus point but were still in control at 20-0.
Midway through the second quarter the Romans’ defence stepped up. With hard hits, more fumbles and a few sacks, they kept Lincolnshire out of the endzone. The score stayed the same up until the halftime whistle was called and the lead for the visiting Cestrians was 20-0 into the half.
With the second half underway again the Romans’ defence maintained their dominance, forcing another fumble and recovering giving the offence another time to shine. With a 50-yard run from Banks to put the Romans on the 3-yard line and within scoring distance, which they duly followed up with did, thanks again to Mansfield, followed with the two point conversion to extend 28-0.
Chester’s defence came up big, forcing another fumble recovery and with a Quarterback sneak to give the Romans a 34-0 lead which closed out the third quarter.
As the fourth quarter got underway tensions on either side of the line started to boil over, with the officials keeping everything under control play resumed. After more pushing and shoving from both sides, each team seemed to hit a wall. That was until Tootle broke away from the trenches for a touchdown but the PAT was no good.
As the final whistle blew the game finished up 40-0 with outstanding performances from both offence and defence, a sign that the Romans are not a team to be messed with this year!
MVP’s for the game were for offence #12 Bradley Chilvers and for defence #92 Phil Bailey.
Chester Romans’ next fixture on the 5th May away to Leicester Falcons, who will be coming in off the back of a huge 60-0 loss to table toppers, Manchester Titans.
