Team	PCT
Sussex Thunder	0.700
Southern Sundevils	0.600
Kent Exiles	0.600
Oxford Saints	0.450
Ipswich Cardinals	0.444
Norwich Devils	0.150

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Newman gives Exiles a good kicking

The Oxford Saints romped to victory Sunday against conference leaders the Kent Exiles in a thrilling come from behind victory.

Adam Newman kicked a 42 yard field goal for the Saints which sparked a 2nd half comeback for Oxford after being 6-0 down at the interval. Newman also starred on a rampaging Saints defence that totally shut down the Kent offence.

The Saints 'Pain Train' defence has been on fire so far this season and Sunday's game saw them at their blazing best, sacking Kent's QB's a total of 10 times plus 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

It was the Exiles who started strongest. Capitalising on some great field position the conference leaders took an early lead when RB A.Becker powered in from 3 yards out, the PAT was missed and Kent had the lead 6-0.

The remainder of the first half was dominated by 2 great defences. Time & time again Kent's D (led by Britball legend Sacha Conte) shut down the Saints offence. The good news for Oxford was that their defence was in equally marauding mood.

Led by LB’s Andrew 'Snake' Day & Ian 'Ice' Harry, the Saints D terrorised, battered and totally broke up the Kent offence. Day recorded 9 unassisted tackles, 2 assists, 2 sacks & 1 forced fumble whilst Harry recorded 7 unassists & 1 assist during the game.

The 2nd half saw Oxford's new look offence click into gear. Kent had the ball first to open the 3rd quarter and were quickly shut down forcing them to punt the ball away.

Oxford took possession on their own 30 yard line and after some good running from Chris Taylor & Bryan Myers they found themselves inside Kent territory. The drive stalled however and Newman came on to attempt a 42 yard field goal which he duly nailed. Kent still had the lead 6-3 but the momentum had started to swing Oxfords way.

Saints D Close In Kent's next drive ended abruptly, Oxfords D turning the heat up another notch, to a raging inferno. A big hit and a sack from Graham Cribbes on Kent's Aaron Griffiths forced the Exiles to punt the ball away again.

The Saints O took over and quickly moved the ball into Exiles territory. QB Jay Taylor dropped back to pass but was flushed out of the pocket by the chasing defenders, Taylor scrambled right and bought himself enough time to find WR Pete Cleaver open downfield, Cleaver caught the pass and out sprinted the Kent secondary into the end zone for a 38 yard touchdown. Newman missed the PAT but Oxford now had the lead 9-6.

Two big sacks, 1 from Stephen Bently and the other from James Burt left Kent with a 3rd & long on their next drive, deep in their own territory. The Exiles looked to go to the air when a diving interception from Cleaver ended the drive and set up Oxford in great field position.

The Saints offence needed no further invitation and Chris Taylor blasted his way into the end zone from 18 yards out, behind a rejuvenated O-line, Newman slotted the PAT and Oxford had increased their lead to 16-6 as the 3rd quarter ended.

Chris Taylor forces his way home The 4th quarter was dominated by the Saints defence. With Kent now playing catch-up football they had no choice but to take to the skies. Some quick passes took them down to the Saints 10 yard line and a promising position to launch a come back of their own. The next play however, Preston Perkins stepped in front of a Kent receiver to intercept a pass and end the Kent drive.

Time and time again both offences came up against brick walls. With only a couple of minutes left in the game, Kent had the chance to pull a score back. A turnover by the Saints had given the Exiles the ball on their own 30 yard line.

The Saints defence were in no mood to give anything away and after 2 big sacks from Ross Gouldie & Lee Hutton, Kent found themselves pinned inside their own 10 yard line. With yet another 3rd & long, Kent went for the pass only to be intercepted for the 3rd time, this time it was Ben Tolley who came up with the big play for the Saints.

The Oxford offence took the field and successfully ran out the remainder of the clock to give Oxford their 2nd win in a row.

The Saints now have a week off before taking on the Kent Exiles again, this time at home.

Published: 25-05-2008 by Andrew Day