The Essex Spartans vs London Olympians (photo-gallery)
[Spartans 7 - Olympians 33 ] June 13, 2010

Before the start of this game the Essex Spartans had attained new found form to win enough games to claim the second spot in the conference. This posed a threat to the Olympians achieving their sixth straight win and a step closer to improving on last season's campaign. The imposing aspect of the game was the multiple sacking hungriness of the Olympians defence (Ronie Adeodatus-Twumasi, Michael Omeru, Leslie Oluwale-Wilson, Darren Whitney)

The first quarter was an exhibition of how good coaching, player ability and great team-work presented itself in what can only be considered as the ultimate team sport! The Essex Spartans received the ball from kick-off and their game starting drive was a 4-yard run, a 2 yard loss and a QB sack by Olympians thus requiring them to punt. On their first drive Olympians QB Bishop Adkins found wide receiver Folley Ogundele for 11 yards and running back Toyin Omodara rushed for 35 yards. Receiver Karim El-Sayed then caught an 8 yard pass from which Omodara rushed for a TD to open the scoring. The PAT was no good so the score stayed at 0-6 to the Olympians. On their next drive Essex were pressured such that a fumble resulted in a turnover to the Olympians. Omodara started this drive with a 9-yard rush followed by a scramble from Adkins for 11 yards and Running back Alex "Doc" Gabriel tagged on three more yards. Shortly afterwards Adkins connected with wide reciver Kenny Bello for a TD and kicker Victor Olamide made good the PAT to bring the score to 0-13.

The Olympians defence were rampant and ruthless at this stage and again the Spartans went three and out. Olympians receiver Shaun Stillwell opened the next Olympians drive with a pinpoint accurate pass for 13 yards, just beating the Spartans DB by a hand to the catch. Omodara rushed for 14 yards and running back Forrester Osei increased the gain with an 18-yard rush. Running back Alwyn Davis Jnr completed the drive with a 28-yard rushing TD and kicker Olamide to end the quarter 0-20 converted the PAT.

On their next possession, Essex Spartans went to their deep passing game to take the pressure off their running game but this resulted in an interception by Olympians DB Ashton Campbell. The second quarter now seemed to be heading the wrong way for the Spartans despite their recent resurgence. Davis Jnr, with the Olympians in ball possession, then rushed for a combined 37 yards. Adkins then threw passes for 15 and 3 yards to receivers Stillwell and Ogundele respectively before Ogundele scored to make the score 0-27, with a converted PAT. The turning point for Essex arrived on their next drive, their running backs #44, #24 and #56 (Marc Saunders) combined a rushing threat that bagged them an impressive TD, and having converted the PAT, the score became 7-27.

The Olympians were eager to respond to this score by the opposition and Adkins connected 21 yards with Ogundele and Davis Jnr rushed for 28 yards however, a turnover gave the ball back to the Spartans. With under 2 minutes to go to halftime urgency set in for the Spartans and running back #24 notched a quick first down from a 12-yard run. Not wanting to allow another touchdown the Olympians defence went into attack mode and sacked the Spartan QB James Dawson for a loss shortly after which the half ended.

The third quarter was a battle of the defences on both sides of the ball. Of the six drives, that ensued during the quarter each side had three possessions and perhaps the Olympians would suggest they edged it by two first downs to one. The Spartans kept the Olympians attack within a 5-yard zone of containment. Towards the end of the quarter however, the Olympians got a break through with a 6-yard pass to Bello, 4-yard run by Omodara, 6-yard pass to Ogundele and 6-yard run by Gabriel.

The fourth quarter came good for the Olympians with good field position from plays that ended the third quarter and Omodara ran in his second TD on the day. An unsuccessful PAT left the score 7-33. On their next possession the Spartans rushed for 3 successive first downs but a blitzing sack from DB Lesley Oluwale-Wilson gave the ball back to the Olympians. An 11-yard catch by Bello and 8-yard reception by running back Toyin Dawudu could not get another drive going so a punt was in order. The Spartans threatened to score after running back #44 broke away for a 40-yard run but soon after DB Tosin Dawudu intercepted a pass to give the Olympians possession. This was short-lived as the Spartans defence held solid. With the clock winding down under a minute Essex ran back the punt for 42-yards and thought the break away return would result in a score but kicker Olamide halted that with a crushing tackle. Feeling confident the Spartans set on with this last drive but Olympians defensive lineman Darren Whitney burst past to sack their QB to end the game.

The next game is away to the Maidstone Pumas on 27 June 2010.