Lincolnshire Bombers 18 - 34 Staffordshire Surge
The Bombers recorded their second loss of the season with a 34-18 defeat on the road to the Staffordshire Surge.
After a torrid first half riddled with mistakes and turnovers where the Bombers fell 22-0 behind, the players fought back in the second half to close the deficit but their effort was too little too late as the side dropped to 1-2 for the season.
The game started on a positive note with a quick three and out from the Bombers’ defence, but the Surge quickly took control.
Quarterback Lewis Colver was picked off on the Bombers’ first drive, which the hosts capitalised on with a touchdown. No. 50 Adam Simeoni managing to block the extra point.
After a torrid first half riddled with mistakes and turnovers where the Bombers fell 22-0 behind, the players fought back in the second half to close the deficit but their effort was too little too late as the side dropped to 1-2 for the season.
The game started on a positive note with a quick three and out from the Bombers’ defence, but the Surge quickly took control.
Quarterback Lewis Colver was picked off on the Bombers’ first drive, which the hosts capitalised on with a touchdown. No. 50 Adam Simeoni managing to block the extra point.
Our struggles continued on our second drive as a Mike Sison fumble was recovered by the Surge. The Bombers replied with a big defensive play of their own, linebacker Joe Pinkstone forcing a fumble that the Bombers recovered.
Still, we continued to shoot ourselves in the foot on offence. Sison fumbling for a second time on the very next play. The Surge capitalised and punched it in for a touchdown but failed with the two-point conversion attempt.
The Bombers turned to no. 3 quarterback Andy Bagnall, who was also intercepted on his first drive. The Bombers extraordinarily turning the ball over on each of their first four offensive possessions – all within the first quarter.
The home team added a field goal and another touchdown before half time, leaving the Bombers trailing 22-0 after a miserable 30 minutes of football.
However, The Bombers improved after the break and finally got the ball moving, scoring on the first drive of the half through an Andy Bagnall sneak.
Dan Hickson recovered a fumble to keep the drive alive, and some good running by Callum Huckle and Joe Pinkstone got the Bombers into the red zone. Quarterback Bagnall completing the job by driving the ball home was close range, but the extra point was blocked.
Two tackles from Pinkstone then forced a three and out for the Surge, and the Bombers once again converted it into points.
A deep throw from Bagnall to wide receiver Russell Moore started the drive off and the pair connected again to take the visitors into the five yard line. Once more Bagnall was on hand to punch it in for six. The two-point conversion was no good, leaving the Bombers trailing 22-12.
The hosts restored their big lead on their next drive, with a touchdown off a play action pass from the one-yard line. Callum Huckle blocked the extra point.
After a three and out for the Bombers, Matt Hale came up with a pick six to keep the game alive. The two-point conversion was no good again, meaning the Bombers trailed 28-18.
The Surge managed to add another touchdown on their next possession, running it in to put them just out of reach at 34-18. Huckle blocked the extra point again – must've been some kind of record with the number of failed attempts in the game..
Both teams then struggled with turnovers as the game drew to a close. The Bombers lost another fumble, before Matt Hale recovered one of his own to get the offence back on the field. Bagnall was then picked off for a second time on the first play of the drive. The match finally ending 34-18.
The Bombers played well in the second half, and big plays from Pinkstone, Hale and Bagnall kept them in the game, but it just wasn’t enough. The Bombers will be striving for a quicker start when they travel to local rivals the Humber Warhawks next week.
Report by Ben Goodwin
Photographs
Natalie Byrne
