The Rams hosted the Boston based Saxons for their first home game of the season and they shut out a spirited attempt from the ‘new boys’ to the league to go 3 and 0.
The action started immediately with a good drive by the Rams but the Saxons halted their hosts at their own 12 yard line. Taking over the ball Matt Deane ran the Midlands team out of danger with a 23 yarder to give them some breathing space. The Rams defence then lifted themselves a notch and stopped everything the visitors tried to do, Justin Lester was handed the ball on the Rams’ play and broke through for a 34 yard gain putting Yorkshire on the Saxon’s 11 yard spot. Paul Goodward, returning from injury, was given the ball for him to jig through the East Midland’s line and get to the one. The next play saw him go in for the TD with four minutes gone on the clock. The Rams scored again late in the quarter when Jay Alexander powered through for 24 yards, breaking five tackles and dived into the endzone for the six. He also went in for the two pointer to make the score 14-0 and the quarter expired with Ban Walsh sacking the visiting QB deep in Saxons territory.
Yorkshire scored on the first play of the second period when linebacker Steve Goulden, who was awarded the Defensive MVP, picked off the pass and went 16 yards for the points. Richard Donaldson barged his way through for the two pointer. The Saxons started to put some good drives together but a solid Rams’ defence held firm when it matted. Approaching the end of the half Simon Dewdney was intercepted giving the ball to East Midlands on their own 33 yard line. A good drive upfield finshed with the Yorkshire forcing them to punt, giving the Rams an opportunity to add to their tally. This they did when their drive finished with Dewdney lobbing the ball to Dave Pawson who went in for a 21 yard score. The kick was wide leaving the Saxons trailing 28-0 at the half.
Much of the third quarter action took place around midfield with both defences not allowing anything through, Bill Bagshaw gaining the Saxons MVP. Lester finally added to Yorkshire’s total with three minutes left in the period when he broke a tackle on the right and went in from 15 yards. Alexander took the hand off to go in for another two points. 36-0. A good kick off by Pawson put the Saxons dangerously close to there own line and Rob Taylor, lifting the offensive MVP for a great all round performance, made them pay when he levelled the ball carrier in the endzone for a safety.
The final period saw good runs by Goodward and Lester putting pressure on the visitors, this paid off just before the two minute warning when Lester got his team to the Saxon’s three yard line with a fine 15 yarder, Goodward got his second touchdown on the next play. Dewdney found Rik Lowthion in the endzone for the pass, the two points and the game with the Rams taking it 46-0