Standings 2008
| 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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Runaway pain train flattens the Devils
The Oxford Saints notorious Pain Train defence got back on track on Sunday, putting in a dominant performance to shut out the visiting Norwich Devils and help Oxford to a 27-0 victory.
The Saints defence was in bullish mood all day, intercepting the Devil's QB 5 times with 7 batted down passes, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks and holding their opponents to just 44 yards rushing all game.
Tyler Kamish starred on defence with 6 tackles, 2 interceptions and a batted down pass. Preston Perkins also recorded 2 interceptions with Karl Sears bagging the teams 5th. Veterans Paul Harbour and Clive Russell chipped in with a fumble recovery each.
The game started with both teams defences on top, neither side able to trouble the scoreboard in the 1st quarter.
The 2nd quarter saw the Saints offence click into gear. A key reception from Ki Lewis set up the Saints in great field position deep in Devils territory. QB Jay Taylor handed the ball off to RB Ben Saunders who blasted straight through a gaping hole in the Devils defence created by the blocking of big Wayne Johnson and Lydon Ward-Best. Saunders then dazzled & danced his way past the last 2 defenders and into the end zone from 13 yards out for the Saints first score of the day, Adam Newman kicked the PAT, Saints led 7-0.
The Saints defence continued to batter the Norwich offence and on the next drive an interception from Kamish set Oxford up on the Devil's 30 yard line with only 2 minutes left in the half. Knowing that another score before the interval would all but kill off the Devils strong resistance, the Saints O went for the jugular.
A quick burst from Chris Taylor followed by a pass from brother Jay to Rich Bloomer took the ball to the Devils 13 yard line. With less than 1 minute left in the half veteran Bryan Myers took the handoff and behind a monster block from Clive Russell & Rob Lowe he bulldozed straight thru the middle of the Devils defence for the score, Newman again kicked the PAT, Saints led 14-0 at the interval.
The 3rd quarter continued in the same vain. The Saints defence shutting down everything that the Norwich O threw at them. Interceptions from Perkins and Sears halting the Devils on a number of occasions.
The good news for Norwich was that their defence was also playing tuff and keeping the Saints from extending their lead. However, disaster struck for Norwich when trying to drive the ball out from inside their own 15 yard line. A big hit on the Devils RB jarred the football loose and veteran Paul Harbour pounced on it. The Saints offence needed no further invitation and on the next play QB Taylor found Bloomer all alone in the end zone for a 12 yard scoring pass, Newman missed the PAT, Saints now up 20-0.
The 4th quarter saw more misery for the Devils. With the game now in the bag, Oxford were able to clear their bench and give their rookies & back-ups a run out. The game still continued down the same track with the Saints defence dictating matters.
With minutes left in the game Oxford were knocking on the end zone door once again. Another big reception from Lewis and a couple from Bloomer followed by a big gain from Chris Taylor took the Saints to the Devil's 2 yard line. Taylor smashed his way in for the score to cap off an impressive day for him, adding his touchdown to 101 yards rushing. Newman slotted the PAT to give Oxford a 27-0 victory & keep them in the play off hunt.
Oxford now need to win their last 2 games & hope other results go their way. The Saints next game is at home to the Southern Sundevils on 17th August, Kick off 2.30pm.
Published: 20-07-2008 by Andrew Day