The London Blitz American Football team continued their winning away form with an impressive 44-6 victory over the Farnham Knights.

The game was moved late to a nearby playing field only a short distance away from the Aldershot Army Stadium. With the players warmed up and ready on the field, the game was kicked off by the Knights into the beautiful May sunshine.

The opening kick-off landed deep in the London Blitz end zone and rolled out of bounds so that the game would start from the Blitz 20 yard line. Determined to make their first possession of the game count, the Blitz offense drove down field. On a crucial third down, the Blitz ran a sweep to the left only for running back Gareth Dauley to be met by several on-coming Farnham Knights players; showing quick thinking and quicker feet, he cut his run back to the right hand side and evaded several Knights defenders picking up 22 yards on the ground before being pushed out of bounds. However the Blitz were unable to capitalize on this and were forced to kick a field goal. London Blitz kicker and fullback Nathan Holt kicked the field goal attempt through the uprights to put the game’s first points on the board.

The Knights looked to retaliate quickly and put points of their own on the board with their ensuing possession. However, their drive only lasted two plays before London Blitz cornerback Aaron Sanders-Percival picked off an underthrown pass and returned the ball 10 yards before being tackled. With a short field to work with, the London Blitz offense went to work. Great blocking from the Offensive Line meant that running back Gareth Dauley could add the finishing touch, striding into the end zone untouched for the game’s first touchdown. Nathan Holt went to add the point after but his kick sailed wide to the left to the leave the score 9-0 to the Blitz.

Again the Knights tried to build some momentum and looked to their passing game only to find cornerback Aaron Sanders-Percival, who collected his second interception of the afternoon. The great work by the Blitz defense again meant that the offense had good field position. Blitz quarterback Fred Boyle found wide receiver Talla ‘Ze French Connection’ N’Daiye on a screen pass which he took 41 yards before being knocked out of bounds just short of the end zone. Determined to get another touchdown, Boyle handed the ball off to running back Gareth Dauley who walked the ball into the end zone untouched for his second touchdown of the afternoon. Nathan Holt added the point after to give the Blitz a 16-0 lead.

The following Knights possession allowed the re-introduction of London Blitz linebacker Jason Brisbane having returned from his year in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers. Showing the speed, power and determination to get to the quarterback that saw him win the 2004 BAFL MVP award, he sacked Farnham Knights quarterback Junior Price for a loss of 15 yards. He later added seven tackles to his tally. More good work from the Blitz defense forced the Knights to punt to the Blitz late in the first quarter. The Blitz offense struck while the iron was hot early in the second quarter with QB Fred Boyle using his legs to scramble before throwing a precision 17 yard pass into the hands of wide receiver Michael Casper for the score. Kicker Nathan Holt added the point after to make the score 23-0 to the Blitz.

The Blitz defense piled on the pressure which saw cornerback Aaron Sanders-Percival set team and individual records with his third interception of the game, a new club record. Although the offense lacked the field position that Sanders-Percival’s previous interceptions gave them, they set about chewing up some clock and establishing a solid ground game with a 76 yard nine play drive. This was capped by excellent work from veteran wide receiver Marcin Lai who was on the end of a 27 yard reception as well as Rod ‘Spartan’ Bradley’s 27 yard touchdown reception, having plucked the jump-ball out of the air in the corner of the end zone for the score. Nathan Holt added the point after to make the score London Blitz 30, Farnham Knights 0 at the half.

The third quarter saw both defences trade three and outs before excellent work on special teams and a great punt from Blitz punter Fabrizio Gargiulo pinning the Knights on their own 3 yard line. The Knights offense had little answer for the in-form Blitz defense. The Blitz offense added the exclamation mark on proceedings, with first year Blitz running back Nick Fray scoring the longest rushing touchdown of the afternoon, 34 yards and quarterback Fred Boyle finding former Blitz youth wide receiver Ben Brown for a 42 yard catch and run for another touchdown. Kicker Nathan Holt added the point after for both touchdowns to give the Blitz a commanding 44-0 lead.

Not to be outdone, London Blitz defensive back Dion Andrade collected the team’s fourth interception for the afternoon. The Knights were able to save themselves from a shut-out , scoring a touchdown but missing the extra point with only a few seconds left on the clock, leaving the final score London Blitz 44, Farnham Knights 6.

After the game, returning London Blitz linebacker Jason Brisbane said: “It’s good to be back. It’s been a while since I’ve played a game, so it’s good to be able to work the rust off.” Head Coach Mark Moss said: “[The win] was very good, it was pleasing but there’s still a lot of work to do.”

The London Blitz now prepares to face Sussex Thunder on May 17th.