FINAL

Sun 15 Jul 2018

The Rams ended a three-match losing run with an emphatic derby win.

Keimar Stuart, Tyler Broad and Chris Peel scored two touchdowns apiece - the latter in unorthodox style - to help paint Leeds black and gold with a 98-0 season aggregate against the relegated Bobcats.

Five other players also found the end zone with the scoring starting early when, after an opening Rams punt, a strip-sack from James Hudson put the offense in superb position.

There was still work to do as the snap was fumbled, but running back Peel scooped up the loose ball and, with the defence biting on the intended play-action, he casually launched a pass to Taylor Umland in the corner of the end zone.

The extra point was unsuccessful but it mattered little, with a Chris Lawton punt return soon setting the Rams offence up in prime position once more at the 10-yard line. Elliott Jackson wriggled out of trouble and was given a clear run to the pylon as receiver Spencer Whybrow levelled the only covering defender.

Tyler Broad’s interception set up a running score for Keimar Stuart before Mohammed Arfan, switching successfully from receiver to cornerback, pounced on a fumble from the Bobcats’ running back and sprinted clear for a touchdown. A blocked extra point led to a scramble for the loose ball which reached midfield before Alan Stockdale put a stop to the nonsense.

Peel punched in another score early in the second quarter, with Umland hitting Christian Davies for two points, and Stuart recovered his own fumble to sprint home down the sideline for a 55-yard score.

Broad’s pick-six completed an enjoyable first half for the away team, with a 46-0 lead. That brought the running clock into play and led to a very brief second half, but there was time for three more scores.

First Broad returned a Bobcats punt to the house, after a fine tackle by Charlie Gough had pinned them close to the goal line, and kicker Jeff Quartey found his shooting boots to make it 53-0.

Haywood then added to his passing stats with two touchdowns, first to Whybrow and then Davies - who moments before had caught a deep bomb from Umland, the former quarterback turned slot receiver, on a trick play.

Haywood hit Gareth Roberts for the two-point conversion to round off a one-side win which leaves the Rams with a 4-3 record and still with one eye on the play-off places.

Rams MVPs

Offensive MVP: Elliot Jackson

Defensive MVP: Charlie Gough

Coaches’ MVP: Chris Peel

Ram of the Day: Tyler Broad