Berkshire Renegades could not make the most of their momentum coming off the most impressive victory in team history as they fell to the visiting Hampshire Thrashers 0-40, in a match that was much harder fought than the scoreline suggests.
Berkshire received the opening kickoff, and started brightly with some typically solid running from Ian Lakin. The opening drive was cut short when Lakin fumbled, and Hampshire pounced on the ball on the Berkshire 32-yard line. Hampshire opened their attack with crisp passing from quarterback Nick Watson, and could have scored on a 13-yard pass into the endzone that the received just failed to hold on to. The Renegades ended the Thrashers’ drive, returning the turnover as defensive back Duncan Scott intercepted a Watson pass on the 2-yard line.
For two plays, it was difficult to tell who had the ball. First Lakin fumbled on first down, and Hampshire recovered on the Renegades’ 1-yard line. Then Hampshire power-back Dave Senart failed to get a firm grip on the hand-off, and gave the ball straight back to Berkshire as Tony Barron recovered the fumble. Berkshire struggled to move the ball, and were forced to punt. Hampshire then made the most of their success with the passing game as Watson and receivers Rikki Lear and Paul Brady moved the ball well through the air, before Watson found Daniel McMillan for a 27-yard touchdown completion. Going for two on the point-after attempt, Watson connected with Brennan Peterson for the score, and the visitors had an 0-8 lead.
The lead was opened up soon after, as quarterback Andy Hollands fumbled whilst scrambling under pressure, and Hampshire’s James Tildsley scooped up the ball and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good this time, as Sam Thornton batted down the Watson pass, and at the end of the first quarter the scoreboard read 0-14.
Things were looking up for Berkshire early in the second quarter as Scott made his second interception of the match, returning the ball 51 yards to give the Renegades excellent field position on the Hampshire 14-yard line. The Renegades were unable to punch the ball over the line, and their 19 yard field goal attempt on fourth down was blocked and recovered by the Thrashers on the 15 yard line.
More quality passing from Watson moved the Thrashers downfield at haste, and running back Tim Iles crossed the line from 9 yards out. Watson connected with McMillan for the two point conversion, and the lead was stretching, 0-22.
Berkshire gave the ball back to Hampshire on the ensuing kickoff, as returner Jon Wong fumbled and the Thrashers recovered on the Renegades’ 18 yard line. Watson wasted no time in scoring, connecting with Brady for the touchdown on first down. The two-point attempt was no good, and it was now 0-28.
Both teams then put together lengthy drives, and as the half drew to a close Berkshire gained one last chance to score as Shaun Blake forced a fumble which was recovered by Ben Flanagan and returned to the Hampshire 4-yard line. With time for just one play, Andy Hollands found Simon Pearce, but he was wrestled down short of the line – 0-28 at the half.
Hampshire started the second half with a long drive, and despite a sack of Watson by Paul Tattisdill for a loss of 8 yards, Hampshire would go on to score as Watson and McMillan combined again, this time for 22 yard touchdown pass. The 2-point attempt was again unsuccessful, and it was now 0-34.
Both teams’ defences took the upper hand for a while, Berkshire going three-and-out on their next drive, and a sack by Richard Hedges helping to force Hampshire to do the same. Following another Renegades punt, Hampshire put together a 13 play, 74 yard drive, but the Berkshire defense held firm on their own 1-yard line as Steve Fox and Mike Billinghurst brought down Iles short of the goalline on fourth down. Hampshire would not be stopped on their next possession, though, and Iles set the final score as he went in from 16-yards out. The 2-point attempt was no good, and with neither team really threatening the opposing goal for the remainder of the game, the whistle blew with the scoreboard reading 0-40.
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