Knights start new season in winning style
A NEW home venue and some new players, but it was the Rushmoor Knights old guard who stood out to beat the well-fancied Portsmouth Dreadnaughts 33-14 at the weekend.
Rushmoor took a commanding first half lead; however, the away side hit back early in the fourth quarter to reduce the gap to five points before two 60-yard touchdown runs secured the victory at their new home ground at St George V Playing Fields in Farnborough.
Knights took the lead (the only score) in the opening quarter with quarterback Calvin Stitt flipping into the end zone on a quarterback sneak from a couple of yards out. Harvey Macey kicked the point after to make it 7-0.
Further touchdowns from
Macey, running in from seven yards, and Matt Rickards extended the margin over a stunned Dreadnaughts. Knights were more than happy with a 19-0 score at the half.
Portsmouth regrouped and reduced the deficit in the third quarter to 19-8. Then, early in the final quarter after a harsh pass interference call against the Knights, the Dreadnaughts ran in another touchdown. However, a personal foul pushed them out of reach of the extra points, leaving the score at 19-14.
Rushmoor had been impressive for the first match of the season, especially their discipline. This was the time to focus and put the game to bed.
With seven minutes remaining, ideally you want to run out the clock. Quarterback Stitt handed the ball to Macey who, with excellent blocking, ran hogging the left touchline all the way to the end zone for a 60 yards score and converted the point after touchdown to make it 26-14.
Knights defence held firm again and Aaron Sekwalor repeated Stitt’s feat for a final score of 33-14.
The Knights’ next home game is on Sunday, April 21 at 2.30pm, against Wembley Stallions.