The O’s 2009 Season @ Hampshire Thrashers (photo-gallery) external photo gallery

This pre-season game was the final measure for the revamped London Olympians in their preparation for the 2009 season, which will herald a new beginning in the life of the team. This will be a stern test for both team and management especially as the outfit comprises 65% rookies and not extensive depth.

Hampshire Thrashers on their first drive marched from about their 30-yard line to the red zone of the Olympians and capped it off with a neat out pass pattern for the first score of the game. This drive was predominantly of a hard running game and the PAT (extra point) was good resulting in a 7-0 lead for the home team.

After a couple of stalled attempts the Olympians found their groove, rhythm and timing to hit back with a 20-yard pass from QB Neal Canning to wide receiver Folley Ogundele for a TD in the first quarter. Kicker CJ (Carl James) for 2 points converted the PAT, after a miscue, when he outran the defence into the end zone.

The score stayed at 7-8 at the end of the first quarter but halfway into the second QB Neal Canning found wide receiver Kenny Bello 45 yards downfield for another TD, which then brought the score to 7-14 to the London Olympians; CJ missed the PAT. The defence of the London Olympians found a tempo and read sequence that now gave them the edge on the Hampshire Thrashers thus keeping them out of the end zone. Late in the quarter, defensive back Ashton Campbell of the London Olympians made a well-timed interception on an out pattern pass and ran it back 55 yards for a TD and CJ converted the PAT to bring the score to 7-21 for the London Olympians.

If the visiting team thought they were down the home straight to a win then it could not be a gridiron match because from their first drive in the third quarter the home team, Hampshire Thrashers, repeated their opening game sequence and drove from their red zone with a combination of short sharp passing and hard runs to score. The PAT was good so this now got everyone excited as now the score stood at 14-21.

American football is a game where so many attributes are continuously being showcased and both sides battled it out with strength, power, technique, wit and determination. However, the London Olympians got it tactically right in the fourth quarter and with much timing and precision rookie wide receiver DJ (Daniel Jeanton) took a 40-yard pass and weaved through the Thrashers defence to score a TD. With CJ making good the PAT the score came to 14-28 and this is how the game ended.

Despite being a pre-season game, it was quite a hard fought match and an enjoyable one to watch too! The London Olympians would like to thank the Hampshire Thrashers for this valuable experience.