‘Rusty’ Spartans lose out
FOLLOWING a three week break from league action, the Halton Spartans travelled to Leeds on Sunday for the return fixture against the Bobcats.
Expectations and spirits were high going into the game, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be the Spartans’ day with Leeds winning the clash 46-12.
The Spartans won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball, but on the first drive the offence were unable to move the drive and punted on fourth down.
The defence took to the field and put down a marker with Dan Kelly intercepting and getting the ball back for the Spartans.
This set the tone of the first quarter with both defences closing out their opposing offences and the score at the end of the first quarter was blank.
The deadlocked was snapped when the Bobcats scored an uncoverted touchdown early in the second quarter to lead 6-0.
The Spartans’ offence continued to be closed down by the Bobcats’ defence, and struggled to get anything going in the second quarter, punting the ball away on the majority of their drives.
Despite being on the field for lengthy periods, the Spartans’ defence proved to be a strong unit and continued to hold the Bobcats.
Defensive lineman Andre Alexander was leading by example recording an interception and a blocked punt.
It was only late in the quarter that the Bobcats scored their second touchdown to go into the interval holding a 12-0 advantage.
During half-time the Spartans looked to re-group with the offence making a number of adjustments, and the defence looking to re-energise themselves. Unfortunately for Halton, the Bobcats came out of the blocks very quickly in the third quarter scoring three touchdowns to race into a 32-0 lead.
The highlight of the third quarter for the Spartans was a 70-yard kick-off return for a touchdown by Jordan Houghton, who capitalised on some great blocking by his teammates to make a weaving run into the endzone.
Entering the fourth quarter with a score line of 32-6, the Spartans continued to work hard on both sides of the ball, and never gave up.
The offence finally got a reward for their efforts with quarterback Ricky Talbot throwing a great pass to wide receiver Sam Johnson who scored his first touchdown for the Spartans.
But this was the Bobcats’ day and they wrapped up the scoring with two further touchdowns before the end.
Speaking post-game, Spartans head coach, Ian Beattie, said: “All credit to my players today.
“It was a tough day and everyone kept going until the final whistle.
“Our offence struggled to get any form of traction, and despite multiple adjustments Leeds always seemed to quickly adjust themselves and continue to stop us in our tracks.
“Our defence were on the field for lengthy periods and this caught up with us in the second half.
“We now have one remaining game in the regular season away to Walney Terriers, so we pick ourselves up, and work hard preparing for that game.”
And Spartans general manager, Ian Derbyshire, added: “It was clear that the three week break since our last game didn’t help us, as we looked a little rusty, and Leeds took full advantage of that.
“Our league record now stands at won five lost four, and providing we get the win up in Walney and other results go our way, we still have a chance of a play-off spot.”
The Halton Spartans’ clash with Walney Terriers takes place a week on Sunday, August 7.