Match Report – Sheffield Hallam Warriors vs UH Sharks. FT Warriors 24 – 14 Hull.
Going into the game with a perfect 3-0 record after cruising past the Celtics in Week 4, Hallam faced perhaps their toughest game of the season so far at home to the Hull Sharks.
With only one team from each tier 1 division advancing into the postseason both teams knew a loss on the day would take fate out of their own hands and probably end title hopes. The Sharks came to Bawtry also undefeated, but had only one game under their belts after the Celtics postponed against them in Week 3 due to squad injuries.
Hallam got the game underway with a Kick-off Hull could only take to their own 25 yard line, allowing the recently formidable Warriors Defence to take to the field. The Hallam D came into the game on the back of consecutive shut-out performances and halted the Sharks to a 1 yard gain on the opening drive, forcing a 4th and long punt situation. The recent attention to punt blocking in training paid off for Hallam as aggressive blitzing stopped the Hull punt, leading to the football bouncing out at on the Hull 25.
With the good field position Hallam’s offence soon put up the first points of the game, QB Jack Kearney connecting with WR Aden Flannagan for a TD from 9yds. The extra 2 point attempt was good giving the Warriors an early 8-0 lead.
The Hallam D again made life hard for Hull by putting in several tackles for losses and forcing another 4th and long punt situation. The drive following the turnover was an extremely scrappy affair which saw back to back penalties called on either side of the ball. In no time the Warriors defence found themselves heading back out onto the field, but for the 3rd time in a row restricted Hull from achieving a first down and forced the punt.
The punt was carried all the way back to the Hull 15 yard line from Warriors Safety and return specialist James “Maga” Manson, who didn’t know it at the time but would put in a huge shift over the course of the afternoon.
Hallam rushed for 8 yards on the first two downs of the next drive, but a big flag on 3rd down set up a 4th and long which couldn't be converted. With this the game moved into the 2nd quarter.
Hallam opened the next defensive series with a tackle for a 13 yard loss from OLB Jamie Prosser, however Hull then responded with a 27 yard pass to earn the Sharks their first 1st down of the game. Hull couldn't move the chains further and a sack on 3rd down resulted in another punt on 4th.
The tempo of the game then slowed slightly, as the both teams defences restricted the opposing offence’s advances, leading to several turnovers being exchanged.
Manson then re-ignited the game with a big interception as Hull threw the ball long on 3rd down. The DB went on a mazy 60 yard return breaking several tackles before being brought down agonisingly short of a pick 6, credit should go to the Shark’s #24 who never gave up the chase.
The Hallam O came on to finish the job Maga had started, Josh Allen sneaking into the end zone at the second attempt before Flannagan added another successful 2 point conversion. That saw the first half end 16-0 in Hallam’s favour.
In the 3rd quarter both teams managed to put together good drives that ultimately ended without reward, as neither side could add points to a game that seemed to be slowly drawing to a close.
However the 4th quarter saw an explosion of activity which led to a tense finish. A high snap on an attempted punt by Hull saw the Hallam’s O regain the ball in dangerous territory. Jack Kearney moved the Warriors to 1st and goal, before handing off to RB Keith Kapishe for the games 3rd TD. Rookie QB Ewan Chisholm came on to add another 2 point conversion, hitting WR Curtis Colhoun in the end zone for the last points Hallam would score on the afternoon.
Hull responded instantly from the resulting kick-off with the Sharks #83 returner going all the way from end zone to end zone. Hull failed to convert the extra 2 points.
Points on the board fired up the Sharks and late on in the 4th quarter Hull enjoyed their longest drive of the game. After moving the chains several times they found themselves deep in Hallam’s half and were soon rewarded with a rushing TD for their efforts. A final 2 point conversion followed but there was no time for a shock comeback as the game finished 24-14.
The game was slightly marred by a serious injury to Warriors RB James Musonda, who had been in red hot form this season. We wish him all the best and hope for a speedy recovery.
The victory see’s Hallam go into the Christmas break sitting on an undefeated 4-0 record, with the next game coming in the new year away at the Huddersfield Hawks. Hallam will look forward to facing the Hawks for a second time, after welcoming Huddersfield to Bawtry for a preseason scrimmage back in October.
Davey Silver #55 Media officer.
Going into the game with a perfect 3-0 record after cruising past the Celtics in Week 4, Hallam faced perhaps their toughest game of the season so far at home to the Hull Sharks.
With only one team from each tier 1 division advancing into the postseason both teams knew a loss on the day would take fate out of their own hands and probably end title hopes. The Sharks came to Bawtry also undefeated, but had only one game under their belts after the Celtics postponed against them in Week 3 due to squad injuries.
Hallam got the game underway with a Kick-off Hull could only take to their own 25 yard line, allowing the recently formidable Warriors Defence to take to the field. The Hallam D came into the game on the back of consecutive shut-out performances and halted the Sharks to a 1 yard gain on the opening drive, forcing a 4th and long punt situation. The recent attention to punt blocking in training paid off for Hallam as aggressive blitzing stopped the Hull punt, leading to the football bouncing out at on the Hull 25.
With the good field position Hallam’s offence soon put up the first points of the game, QB Jack Kearney connecting with WR Aden Flannagan for a TD from 9yds. The extra 2 point attempt was good giving the Warriors an early 8-0 lead.
The Hallam D again made life hard for Hull by putting in several tackles for losses and forcing another 4th and long punt situation. The drive following the turnover was an extremely scrappy affair which saw back to back penalties called on either side of the ball. In no time the Warriors defence found themselves heading back out onto the field, but for the 3rd time in a row restricted Hull from achieving a first down and forced the punt.
The punt was carried all the way back to the Hull 15 yard line from Warriors Safety and return specialist James “Maga” Manson, who didn’t know it at the time but would put in a huge shift over the course of the afternoon.
Hallam rushed for 8 yards on the first two downs of the next drive, but a big flag on 3rd down set up a 4th and long which couldn't be converted. With this the game moved into the 2nd quarter.
Hallam opened the next defensive series with a tackle for a 13 yard loss from OLB Jamie Prosser, however Hull then responded with a 27 yard pass to earn the Sharks their first 1st down of the game. Hull couldn't move the chains further and a sack on 3rd down resulted in another punt on 4th.
The tempo of the game then slowed slightly, as the both teams defences restricted the opposing offence’s advances, leading to several turnovers being exchanged.
Manson then re-ignited the game with a big interception as Hull threw the ball long on 3rd down. The DB went on a mazy 60 yard return breaking several tackles before being brought down agonisingly short of a pick 6, credit should go to the Shark’s #24 who never gave up the chase.
The Hallam O came on to finish the job Maga had started, Josh Allen sneaking into the end zone at the second attempt before Flannagan added another successful 2 point conversion. That saw the first half end 16-0 in Hallam’s favour.
In the 3rd quarter both teams managed to put together good drives that ultimately ended without reward, as neither side could add points to a game that seemed to be slowly drawing to a close.
However the 4th quarter saw an explosion of activity which led to a tense finish. A high snap on an attempted punt by Hull saw the Hallam’s O regain the ball in dangerous territory. Jack Kearney moved the Warriors to 1st and goal, before handing off to RB Keith Kapishe for the games 3rd TD. Rookie QB Ewan Chisholm came on to add another 2 point conversion, hitting WR Curtis Colhoun in the end zone for the last points Hallam would score on the afternoon.
Hull responded instantly from the resulting kick-off with the Sharks #83 returner going all the way from end zone to end zone. Hull failed to convert the extra 2 points.
Points on the board fired up the Sharks and late on in the 4th quarter Hull enjoyed their longest drive of the game. After moving the chains several times they found themselves deep in Hallam’s half and were soon rewarded with a rushing TD for their efforts. A final 2 point conversion followed but there was no time for a shock comeback as the game finished 24-14.
The game was slightly marred by a serious injury to Warriors RB James Musonda, who had been in red hot form this season. We wish him all the best and hope for a speedy recovery.
The victory see’s Hallam go into the Christmas break sitting on an undefeated 4-0 record, with the next game coming in the new year away at the Huddersfield Hawks. Hallam will look forward to facing the Hawks for a second time, after welcoming Huddersfield to Bawtry for a preseason scrimmage back in October.
Davey Silver #55 Media officer.