Rams on Top in Yorkshire Derby

Sun Jul 20 2014

The Yorkshire Rams moved back past 0.500 with a 30-6 victory over Yorkshire neighbours the Doncaster Mustangs. In hot and muggy conditions, Doncaster recieved the opening kickoff and the first chance with the ball. After being forced into a quick 3 and out, they were forced to punt the ball away. With a good return taking the ball into the opposition half, the Rams were able to get rolling quickly. Inspite of needing two 4th down conversions to do so, Yorkshire were able to cap off the drive as Running Back Adim Irozuru walked into the end zone untouched. With kicker Johnny Dudley tacking on the PAT, the Rams took a 7-0 lead early on.

It wouldn’t be until the 2nd quarter when the endzones were threatened again. With Yorkshire again looking to get into the home team’s endzone, they were ultimately stopped short, and forced to opt for a field goal attempt. Again Dudley found his mark and the kick sailed through for a 10-0 lead. The Mustangs showed signs of life, and were able to mount their first serious drive of the day as they found success in chunks through the air. However, the drive would ultimately be cut short as Rams safety Chris Lawton was able to add yet another pick to his season as he undercut a corner route headed for the endzone. This enabled Yorkshire to make it to the break with their lead intact.

In the second half, it was again the Rams who got themselves on the board first, as Running Back Elliot Jackson broke free on a long toss play where he showed an impressive burst of speed, beating all pursuing defenders to the endzone. Again Dudley would add on the PAT, and the lead was now 17-0. Although the Mustangs showed signs of life through the quarter, the Yorkshire defence continued to hold firm limiting them to sporadic gains. The next major play saw Yorkshire Quarterback Jacob Hardy complete a long pass to Wide Receiver Alex Laird who was finally downed at the 3 yard line as the quarter ended. Unfortunately a fumble stopped the chance to add further points.

t’d take too long for another chance though, and this time again it was Irozuru who was able to pound the ball in for another score. Again Dudley was good with the PAT and the Rams had a comanding 24-0 lead. Finally Doncaster found themselves getting on the board, as a pass caught on the run evaded the Yorkshire defence for a Doncaster score. Their 2PAT failed though and the score now stood at 24-6. Although the Black & Gold were still able to move the ball, they’re were able to add to their lead. That was, until the dying seconds when Safety Henry Wareham picked off a desperation pass, and after improvising with a lateral, DB Martin Steele found the ball in his hands and his feet in the endzone as time expired. The 30-6 win puts the Rams to 4-3 for the year, with 2 games left in their bid for a trip to the playoffs. They next travel to the Tamworth Phoenix on the 3rd of August, Kickoff 2:30pm.