Mavericks bounce back with convincing victory

American football

East Kent Mavericks romped to a conving win in their first home game of the new BAFA Southern Conference Division 2 season.

The Mavericks suffered defeat in their season opener at Wembley Stallions, blowing a 14-0 half-time lead to go down 23-14 to the early pace-setters two weeks earlier.

However, the Mavs bounced back in style on Sunday with a 41-0 success against the newly-promoted East Essex Sabres at the Simon Langton Boys Grammar School.

The scoring was opened by quarterback Mark Hughes, as he led a 50-yard drive down the field before fielding a snap from inside the Sabres 10 yard line before trotting into the end-zone. The point after attempt made it 7-0.

Under-19s graduate Tyrell Bovelle swapped in at running back for some downs and showed that he can play both sides of the ball by launching a 15-yard run into the end-zone behind some aggressive blocking from the offensive line as the hosts went 14-0 ahead. Essex attempted to put some yards back with some aggressive passing but some tight coverage from James Leppard resulted in an interception and 70-yard return for a touchdown which made it 20-0. Hughes (pictured) extended the lead with a 60-yard run to score and the successful kick made it 27-0 before the offensive line tore a hole through the Sabres’ defense big enough for Bovelle to muscle through for a 20-yard touchdown run, which was again converted. The final score was a repeat of the opening one with Hughes using a sneak to the left to gain the seven yards needed to get another touchdown and seal a 41-0 win. The Mavericks are next in action at the Ipswich Cardinals on Sunday, June 4. Before that they will host a rookie day for potential players from 2.45pm on Sunday at their home at the Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys.