The Cornish Sharks vs London Olympians (photo-gallery)

[Sharks 25– Olympians 26]

Travelling to Cornwall to face the Cornish Sharks was going to be a test of the Olympians commitment to a regular season game of importance to the play-off aspirations of both teams. It must be said that the Olympians spoke with their hearts. The game was typified by excellent running, silky receptions, gutsy quarterbacking, offensive and defensive line execution that purists would die for as well as bone-crunching tackling from both teams.

The Olympians intention was established from the kick-off return when returner Kenny Bello weaved through for a gain in the region of about 40yards. QB Neale Canning took charge of the drive and late in the first quarter hit Receiver Bello with a pass 30 yards out and a sprint from there gave the London team a 0 - 6 lead, kicker Carl James was not successful with the PAT. This did not stun the Sharks at all because they also retuned the ensuing kick-off to mid field territory and commenced a hard running drive. Marching downfield into the Olympains red zone the Sharks punched it into the endzone on an outside run for their responding TD and converted the PAT to lead 7-6 and this saw out the 1st quarter.

One key component of this game that should not be overlooked was the testament of some really good coaching on both sides of the ball where tactical approach set the tone for the day. The Olympians turned to showing that they could produce an emphatic running game and hit the Cornish Sharks from all angles with crisp running from Adrian John and Toyin Dawudu. Power inside runs were drilled by Chris Forrester who with his fellow blocking back took it to the linebackers of the opposition. John ran for over 100 yards for the second game and saw out the first half scoring a TD and giving back the lead to the Olympians at 7-12. The PAT was again no good.

Commendation must go to the Olympian linemen on both sides of the ball because they made sure that their team stayed in contention throughout the game by creating running lanes, sound pockets for the QB, and put pressure on the Sharks QB restricting him to throwing only 3 completions, and shutting down the running game completely in the 2nd quarter.

The Sharks always kept the intensity going and early in the 3rd quarter forced a fumble in the Olympians red zone. They went to heavy-weighted running on the weak side and after 2 attempts scored a TD but the PAT was blocked, still, this put them back in the lead at 13-12. Showing true Olympians tenacity QB Canning set to task again and James went downtown with 2 surging rushing plays to set the Olympians into the Cornish half. A bullet pass to Kenny “very-hot-on-the-day” Bello saw the Olympians pull ahead with another TD and receiver Daniel Jeanton, who has scored in every game this year, made sure of the PAT with a catch for 2 points to bring the score to 13-20. On the resulting kick-off to the Sharks they almost returned the ball for a TD but kicker Victor Olamide zipped from behind the developing blocks to lay pain to the returner with a power tackle. The drive after did not go far but a deep pinpoint punt placed the ball inside the Olympians 10yard zone for the start of the 4thquarter.

The Sharks, making it a habit on the day, forced another fumble off of the Olympians after it seemed the drive was going somewhere. A few plays later the Sharks had rumbled in for a TD but pressure from a superb special team forced the PAT wide enough for it to hit the upright for an unsuccessful attempt and the score was 19-20. This TD gave the home team the edge and the Olympians next drive was halted. With good field advantage the Sharks were upbeat but Olympians linebacker Michael Omeru had something to say with continuous pressure and eventually linebackers Wajid Latiff and Jermaine James combined to get the latter a sack on the Cornish QB. Soon after game MVP Bello was on the case again with a superb reverse run that sliced through the Cornish defense for yet another TD to give the Olympians a chance to breathe at 19-26, [PAT was no good].

A foul from the TD was tagged onto the ensuing kick-off and this again gave the Sharks excellent field position and the chance to either tie or win the game if they scored. After marching the ball inside the red zone of the Olympians it seemed that a loss for the travelling team was on the cards despite resolute defending and a momentous batting down of a TD bound pass by safety Tosin Dawudu. However the never say die Sharks responded when a quick slant was caught for the TD to bring the score to 25-26.

The final word was left for a superb London defensive squad. The Sharks chose to go for the win with a 2 point conversion, however the Olympians defence were on fire to deny home celebrations as they totally snuffed out the PAT with just 4 seconds to go and the game was over with an Olympian win 25-26.

Olympians MVP awards for the game were overall

MVP: Kenny Bello (168 yards receiving),

offense MVP: Adrian John (140 yards from 18 carries),

defense MVP: Michael Omeru

and special teams MVP Victor Olamide

The next game is at our temporary home on May 31 at Warren Park, Bromley against Essex Spartans, kick-off is at 2:30pm.