PREVIEW: Yorkshire Rams @ Coventry Jets

Sat May 23 2015

Tomorrow sees the Rams back in action and on the road to face the Coventry Jets. Here we preview the key points of the fixture:

Last Meeting

Yorkshire Rams 6 - 24 Coventry Jets

8th June 2014

6 second half interceptions saw the Yorkshire Rams fall to a 24-6 defeat. After a tight opening to the game, with mental errors and penalty flags throughout, the Jets were able to get on the board first with a short field goal after a shanked Yorkshire punt and a strong defensive stand. The Jets were to show their own defensive might soon after stopping the Rams on both a 4th down and forcing a missed field goal.

Both teams would struggle to mount any serious offence for much of the first half, as the game became as attritional as expected. With neither endzone breached mid way through the 2nd quarter, Coventry found themselves with the ball in the red zone after a late hit penalty gifted them a first down. The Rams would be punished for their ill discipline as the Jets connected through the air for the opening touchdown and a 10-0 lead. With Yorkshire unable to score before the break, they entered half time facing another deficit and looking to mount a comeback.

The second half started with the defences still well on top, after Yorkshire forced a 3 and out for the Jets, Coventry were able to get a decisive breakthough as they undercut a pass down the sideline for their first interception of the day. Returning the ball to within the 10, the offence was able to power into the endzone on the ground to take the score to 17-0. After another two interceptions and a missed field goal for the Jets, Yorkshire were to have their highlight of the day with a drive started with a long completion from Quarterback Jacob Hardy to receiver James Sharrock. This was then capped off as QB Henry Wareham powered into the end zone on a keeper sweep to reduce the deficit to 17-6 following a blocked PAT.

The Rams would have their spirits lifted further as Safety Chris Lawton was able to reel in his eighth turnover of the season with an interception, although this momentum was to be killed by a 4th pick for the Jets defence to send the ball back the other way. With the Rams chasing the game, a fifth interception followed which lead to the final score of the day, again through the air as Coventry extended their lead, out of sight, to 24-6. It was almost fitting that Yorkshire would end with one more interception in a game where mental errors on both sides of the ball played a pivotal role as Coventry ran out the clock for the win.

Highlights

A good drive to score a TD on a tough day for the Rams

Previous Meetings

Back to 2005

12th May 2013 - Yorkshire Rams 7 - 6 Coventry Jets

25th June 2004 - Coventry Cassidy Jets 48 - 0 ASAP Yorkshire Rams

4th June 2006 - ASAP Yorkshire Rams 0 - 55 Coventry Cassidy Jets

Ones To Watch

Yorkshire Rams - Spencer Whybrow

The veteran Wide Receiver already has a touchdown to his name this season (in the 28-14 win over Sheffield) and has been enjoying himself on the other side of the ball in recent weeks, the Jets will have to keep an eye on Whybrow whether it be for his catching ability or his intelligence on defence.

Coventry Jets - QB Tom Clancy and RB Chuka Ogbuneke

Image from the Coventry Jets website

These two have linked up well in the last two fixtures and have scored the Jets’ only touchdown of the season so far, against none other than the East Kilbride Pirates on a 45 yard pass. Clancy, a product of Coventry’s youth academy, isn’t afraid to scramble out of the pocket to find his receivers and the Rams will be looking to contain him on Sunday. Ogbuneke will give the defence plenty to do both as a rusher and a passing threat. We look forward to travelling to Coventry Sphinx Sports & Social Club as the Rams look to bounce back from two heavy defeats against East Kilbride and Lancashire and look to restore some pride and get our season back on track.

Entry is £2 to spectators and will kickoff at 2.30pm. The address for travelling supporters is: Coventry Sphinx Sports & Social Club, Sphinx Drive, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 1WA

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