Powerful Spartans silence Warhawks
HALTON SPARTANS ............................. 32 HUMBER WARHAWKS ............................0
THE Halton Spartans welcomed the Humber Warhawks to the Select Security Stadium on Sund day afternoon, targeting a muchneeded win – and they got one as they put together a fantastic performance blanking the visitors 32-0.
The Spartans defence took to the field f first and set the tone for the day holding the Warhawks deep in their own half forcing them to punt the ball away.
Halton’s offence started their first d drive and moved 70 yards up the field with quarterback Rik Lothion completing passes with wide receivers Sam J Johnson and Lewis Howie along with s some powerful surges from running backs Martin Murphy and Paul Leighton.
However the Spartans could not cross i into the endzone and instead it was kicker Matty Fitzsimons who put the first points on the board with a field g goal.
The next couple of drives from the Warhawks’ offence were quickly stuffed out by the Halton defence with the highlight being a quarterback sack from Josh Jackson.
On the other side of the ball, the Spart tans offence put together two great d drives. The first saw saw Lothion connect with tight end Steve Norton who rumbled into the endzone, with Fitzsim mons converting the point after.
The start of the second quarter saw t the Spartans’ offence continue to gain momentum and following some great runs by Craig Owen and Murphy, Alex Martin crossed for a touchdown converted by Fitzsimons for a 17-0 lead.
The Spartans’ defence continued to ● dominate with a forced fumble from Scott Jenkins recovered by Doug Laughton and a sack from Ellis Roberts.
The third quarter saw the Halton offence continue to make excellent yards and put together some great plays.
Lothion threw an inch-perfect pass to Martin for the touchdown and with Fitzsimons again converting the Spartans’ advantage was now 24-0.
The Spartans’ watertight defence held the Warhawks to a number of three-and-outs, and on one drive safety Laughton intercepted the Warhawks’ quarterback and returned the ball 30 yards before being tackled.
On the last drive of the third quarter, the Spartans’ offence scored arguably the best touchdown of the day with Lothion lofting a pass 30 yards to Ben Hogan who caught it in his stride and raced another 40 yards into the end- zone. A two-point conversion pushed the Spartans’ lead up to 32-0.
With the game very much in the bag, the Spartans rotated a number of players. The Halton defence continued to stand strong holding the Warhawks to minimal yardage and forcing them to punt. Meantime, the Spartans’ offence, although making some good yardage and plays with the rotated players, did not score again in the final stanza.
The Spartans’ coaches, players and fans were very pleased with the win and now have a week off before back-toback home games – Crewe Railroaders on July 23 followed by Chester Romans a week later. Both games kick-off at 2pm and gates open at 1pm. Concourse bars will be open serving drinks and food, and there are cheerleaders, a half-time competition and a match commentator.
Entrance fee is £5 (cash only) for two adults and unlimited U16.