Berkshire Renegades recorded their fifth win of the 2010 season with a 21-6 victory away at Watford Cheetahs on Sunday.
Berkshire took the early initiative as Chris Mantell pounced on a Watford fumble deep in the Cheetahs’ half. The Renegades wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as quarterback Paul Waddington hooked up with tight end Simon Pearse for a 1-yard touchdown pass. James Treherne’s point-after kick was good, and it was 7-0 to the Renegades.
The game bogged down somewhat after that as defense took control. The Cheetahs looked to have made a breakthrough when they recovered a fumble, but were unable to do anything with the ball. The Renegades put together 16-play, 58-yard drive early in the second quarter, but were unable to punch the ball into the endzone and turned the ball over on downs. The teams traded punts for a few drives, until late in the half Watford’s Ladi Lampejo picked off a Waddington pass on the 1-yard line as the Renegades threatened to score. The half ended with just the one score on the board, 7-0 to Berkshire.
The Renegades started the second half as they had the first as Nick Church dived onto a fumble forced by Steve Boughton just inside the Watford half. Running back Paul Cook broke out some dazzling runs, and got his just desserts as he went in from two yards out for the touchdown. Treherne’s kick was good, and it was 14-0 Berkshire.
Watford were not about to give up though, and put together a well-crafted 14-play, 65-yard drive on the back of some excellent running by Ramesh Pari, who finished the drive with a one-yard plunge for the touchdown. The point-after kick sailed just wide left, and it was 14-6 to the Renegades as the third quarter ended.
Berkshire would seal the hard-earned win following another impressive drive, going 68 yards in 13 plays, ended with running back Scott Goddard going over the line from two yards out. Treherne’s leg was again accurate, and the score was set at 21-6. Lampejo picked off back-up quarterback Andy Holland’s pass late in the game, but Watford was unable to capitalise and the clock ran out.
Renegades’ Head Coach Paul Gordon commented: I've been really impressed with team this year. Playing 5 games in a row has been a tough but we have risen to the challenge. Watford are a solid outfit and the game was in the balance until the very last quarter.
We will take the next few weeks off to rest and prepare for the final part of our season.
Berkshire now has a few weeks off before their next match, at home on 25/07/2010.
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Berkshire Renegades got their 2010 BAFACL campaign back on track with a 29-0 victory over the visiting Gloucester Banshees at Bulmershe Field on Sunday. The result improves the Renegades win-loss record to 4-1 at the midpoint of the season.
The first quarter was a quiet affair, both teams struggling to move the ball on offense. The Renegades took the lead at the start of the second quarter when, following solid gains on the ground by running backs Ian Lakin and Scott Goddard, quarterback Paul Waddington hit receiver Jim White in the endzone for a three-yard touchdown pass. James Treherne’s point-after kick was good, and it was 7-0 to Berkshire.
The Renegades extended their lead on their next drive, following a three-and-out from the Banshees. A 33-yard run from Goddard on first down moved Berkshire deep into Gloucester territory, and a key completion on fourth down from Waddington to Sam Marshall placed the ball on the Banshees’ one-yard line. Waddington himself crashed over the line on a quarterback sneak for the touchdown, and with Treherne’s kick again being good, it was 14-0.
Defense was in charge for the remainder of the half, as Nick Church ended the Banshees’ next possession with a wrestling interception. The Renegades were unable to do anything with the ball, and with the punt snap being bobbled, Gloucester found themselves within the Berkshire 20-yard line as the clock ticked down. Steve Fox helped keep the Banshees’ from scoring, with a 9-yard sack, and time ran out on the half.
The second half started rather sedately, with Treherne just missing on two field goal attempts. It was the Renegades defense that took the momentum as they forced the Gloucester quarterback to step out of the back of his own endzone, resulting in a safety and two points to Berkshire.
The offense kept the scoreboard ticking over on the ensuing drive, Waddington connecting with Marshall for a 15-yard scoring pass. Treherne’s point-after kick was blocked, and as the game entered the fourth quarter it was 22-0 to Berkshire.
The Renegades would score again, as Lakin crossed the line from three yards out. Treherne’s kick was good, setting the score at 29-0.
Neither team would threaten to score again, and Berkshire recorded their second shutout victory of the season.
Head coach Paul Gordon commented: "It was good to get back to winning ways after last weeks result. Our defense had another stella performance and we moved the ball well offensively. We have a big game next weekend against a rested Cheetahs side and we need to keep this momentum going."
Berkshire head to Watford Cheetahs on the 20th June, looking to repeat their victory of earlier this season.
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Berkshire Renegades’ winning start to the 2010 season ended in a valiant 13-16 loss away at old rivals Hampshire Thrashers on Sunday.
Berkshire looked to have taken the early advantage when defensive lineman Martin McGuire forced a fumble, which linebacker Guy Robbins pounced on to end the Thrashers’ opening drive. Both teams’ defenses were dominant in the early exchanges, with Renegades’ defensive back delivering a big hit to knock the ball loose (McGuire recovering) before the Thrashers forced a turnover of their own as Ian Lakin fumbled. It looked like the first quarter would go scoreless, until the Renegades found themselves pinned deep in their own half following a Neal Kent interception. Lakin was brought down in his own endzone for the safety – 0-2 to the home team.
Both offenses were still sputtering, and penalties were hurting – and although both teams threatened the opposing endzone the next few drives were fruitless. Hampshire opened up the lead late in the second quarter, first when running back Richard Bloomer went in from four yards out (Dominic Williams’ point-after kick was good) and then as the clock was ticking down quarterback Richard Watson connected with Bloomer for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Williams’ conversion kick was again good, and at the break it was 0-16 to the Thrashers.
At the start of the second half, if the Renegades were down, there were certainly not out, and, following some typically explosive running from back Paul Cook, quarterback Paul Waddington found tight end Simon Pearse for a 3-yard touchdown pass. James Treherne’s point-after kick was good, and the Renegades were on the scoreboard, 7-16.
As the game moved into the fourth quarter, Berkshire put together a great drive, moving the ball 86 yards in 16 plays. Finding themselves on the Hampshire 1-yard line, a score looked inevitable until the Thrashers dived onto a bobbled hand-off to turnover the ball.
Heads dropped only momentarily though, and again defense took over for a period, with both teams trading punts on the next few drives. Berkshire scored again inside the last two minutes, Waddington and Pearse combining again for a 1-yard touchdown pass. Treherne’s conversion was blocked, and it was a three-point game, 13-16.
Everyone at the game knew what was coming next – an onside kick attempt. The kick looked good, with the ball popping up awkwardly as it skittered across the field, but Hampshire showed good concentration to secure the kick, enabling them to take a knee to round out the game.
Head Coach Paul Gordon commented: "I'm really proud of the players this season, we turned around a disappointing first half and kept the game close until the very end. We will take this result and learn from our mistakes but our focus will be our next game and our next oppoents."
Berkshire’s 3-1 record still leaves them well-positioned in the division, and will be looking to get back to winning ways in their next game – against Gloucester Banshees, at Bulmershe Field on 13th June, 14:30 kickoff.
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Berkshire Renegades continued their winning start to the 2010 season with a comprehensive 40-3 victory over the visiting Watford Cheetahs at Bulmershe Field on Sunday.
Quarterback Paul Waddington was the standout player for the Renegades, completing 11 passes from 21 attempts for 168 yards, 1 interception and 5 touchdowns.
Berkshire jumped out to an early lead on their first possession, following a three-and-out from the visitors. Strong running from backs Paul Cook and Scott Goddard, along with a great one-handed catch by Simon Pearse, moved the Renegades deep into Watford territory, and Waddington rounded the drive off with a 5 yard pass to Jim White for the touchdown. James Treherne’s point-after kick was good, and it was 7-0 to Berkshire.
The lead extended on the Renegades’ next drive, Waddington connecting with Sam Marshall, who was wide open behind the Watford defense, for a 41 yard score. Treherne’s kick sailed just wide of the posts, and it was 13-0.
Watford put together a good drive to round out the first quarter, but the Renegades kept the scoreboard rolling early in the second quarter, Waddington and Marshall combining again, this time for a 49 yard touchdown. Treherne’s leg was good this time, and it was 20-0. Both defenses dug in for a while, and Watford capitalised on a Cook fumble inside the Berkshire 10-yard line by kicking a 27 yard field goal to set the score at 20-3. Berkshire looked a little shaky as the half wound down, with Goddard fumbling and Waddington throwing an interception, but the Renegades defense held out.
The second half started disastrously for the Renegades, as Jim White fumbled the opening kickoff following a big hit. The defense refused to allow the Cheetahs to capitalise. The Renegades offense then crafted a 14-play, 74-yard drive based on great running from Cook, Goddard and Ian Lakin. Pearse looked to have scored from 35 yards out following another highlight-reel one handed catch, but he just stepped out of bounds on his way to the endzone. Berkshire was not to be denied the score though, and a few plays later Waddington and Marshall worked together again for a 13 yard touchdown pass. Treherne’s kick was again just off target, but Berkshire was looking more comfortable now with a 26-3 lead.
Berkshire widened the gap at the start of the fourth quarter, Pearse getting his name on the score sheet with a 9 yard touchdown catch from Waddington. Treherne’s kick was good, and it was 33-3.
Watford was refusing to give in though, and lined up a 54 yard field goal that landed short.
The Berkshire defense would round out the game in style, first with Simon Bruckshaw returning an interception for 40 yards for a touchdown, with Treherne converting to set the score at 40-3, and then the Renegades defensive line swarming all over the Watford offense, with Martin McGuire forcing a sack to end the Cheetah’s last drive. Berkshire was then able to run the clock out to seal the victory.
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Berkshire Renegades continued their winning start to the 2010 season with a dominant 20-0 victory over the visiting Cornish Sharks at Bulmershe Field on Saturday.
The match marked several landmarks for the Renegades: their best start to a season, their first ever shutout, and their first win over the Sharks.
Sharks received the opening kickoff, and immediately threatened to score, moving the ball 52 yards in 11 plays, just failing to score when a pass was dropped in the back of the Renegades endzone on fourth down. Berkshire stumbled on their first possession, going three and out. The Renegades defense then stole the momentum when, following some intelligent defensive plays from Ben Flanagan to help stifle the Sharks’ running game, defensive back Neal Kent intercepted on his own goalline and returned the ball for 29 yards. A penalty tacked on to the end of the play gave the Renegades excellent field position, and as the second quarter started they made the most of it, moving the ball well on the ground thanks to backs Paul Cook and Scott Goddard. From the Sharks’ 11-yard line, quarterback Paul Waddington rolled out looking to pass, but saw a gap, tucked the ball and darted untouched into the endzone for the opening touchdown. James Treherne’s point-after kick was good, and it was 7-0 to the home team.
Cornish struggled to move the ball on their next drive, thanks to some ferocious gang-tackling from the Berkshire defense. The Renegades stretched their lead on their next drive, with Scott Goddard cutting outside a superb block by receiver Sam Marshall to break for a 50 yard touchdown run. Treherne’s leg was good again, and it was 14-0 to the Renegades. The Berkshire defense rounded out the first half in style as Rory Buckley recorded his second interception in as many games.
The tide appeared to be turning in the third quarter, with the Sharks putting the Renegades on their heels with some powerful rushing teamed with some crisply-executed misdirection plays. However, the Berkshire defense bent, but refused to break, and the third quarter went scoreless.
Midway through the fourth, Berkshire extended their lead and gave themselves some room to relax, as Grant Barber crossed the line from 9 yards out for his first Renegades touchdown. Treherne’s kick was blocked, but the score was set at 20-0. The Renegades tried to put an exclamation point on the victory in the dying seconds, but Treherne’s 17-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left, leaving the scoreboard reading 20-0 as time expired.
Renegades Head Coach Paul Gordon commented: “This result is a just reward for off season preparation by the Coaches, Players & Management team. The Cornish Sharks are one of Division 2’s strongest teams and we will continue to work hard to maintain the standards set so far."
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