Defence helps Warriors to second successive victory over Wyverns

By Twm Owen 

American Football BAFA Southern Conference Division Two West 

Somerset Wyverns 7 – South Wales Warriors 26 

Four touchdowns helped the South Wales Warriors to a second victory in seven days over the Somerset Wyverns. 

Two quickfire scores helped the Warriors to a 13-0 first quarter lead over their hosts who’d fallen to a 29-6 defeat at Llanharan a week earlier. 

Warriors quarterback Dean Jackson threw two touchdown passes, the first to 19-year-old receiver Jamie Gilpin, and a second to Lawrence Tuckett for  a strong start. Matt Morris added the conversion to Tuckett’s touchdown after his first conversion attempt was blocked.

Despite scoring early the Warriors offence was shut out for the remainder of the game and two defensive touchdowns secured the victory to keep the Warriors undefeated. 

The Wyverns came within six points of the Warriors in the third quarter when QB Jack Mullins connected with Matt Hatfield for a touchdown and Tom Bowering’s conversion made it look as if the Warriors could regret their failure to convert their opening touchdown. 

But with the score line having narrowed the Warriors pounced when the Wyverns fumbled in their own end zone with pint-sized defensive lineman Tushon Blackson-Mwale recovering the ball for an important six points. The Warriors again failed to add the conversion. 

Warriors defender Andy Price (left) and Tushon Blackson-Mwale in conversation Photo : Craig Thomas/Replay images

With the Wyverns still chasing the game in the fourth quarter Warriors defensive back Christopher Bartlett-Legge made an interception which he returned more than 70 yards for the game’s final touchdown 

Warriors veteran offensive lineman David Coles is due to have surgery today after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle in the first-half. He was taken to hospital at half-time. 

The Warriors remain joint top of the British American Football Division Two West with the Torbay Trojans, who recorded a 49-0 home win over basement side the Worcestershire Black Knights, and also have a perfect five wins from five. 

The two sides meet, in the first of back-to-back fixtures likely to decide the division title, in Torbay on June 23.