Mavs progress thwarted

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: FIRST VENTURE INTO PLAY-OFFS ENDS IN DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF BRISTOL APACHE

East Kent Mavericks’ first foray into the play-offs in four seasons ended in disappointment on Sunday with a 54-12 defeat at home to Bristol Apache.

The Mavs completed their regular season schedule in BAFA Southern Conference Division 2 with a record of eight wins and two losses, clinching home advantage with a thrilling 24-21 win against the Bournemouth Bobcats the previous week.

However, despite welcoming the West Country side to Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys after a 200-mile journey in the first round of the play-offs, the visitors raced into a convincing lead and it was 26-0 at half-time and 32-0 when the Mavericks got on the scoresheet in the third quarter.

The Mavericks made it back-to-back scores with quarterback Mark Hughes finding speedy Remy Cabache for a 60-yard score to pull within 20, however the visitors had the final say with three further scores before full-time.

Apache go through to visit the Oxford Saints in the conference play-off semi-final on Sunday.

Head coach Glenn Lindley admitted it had been a tough loss but added: “This was our rebuilding year so to finish with an 8-2 record, come second in the Conference and make the play-offs for the first time in four years is still a great season... it just could have been so much more.”

He added: “2017 is just around the corner and the Mavs will be looking for their first 10-0 perfect season and promotion to Division 1.”

Picture: Ken Matcham Mavericks look for running room against their Bristol opponents

Mavericks quarter-back Mark Hughes, left, hands off to his running back