The London Olympians vs Lincolnshire Bombers (photo-gallery)
[Olympians 47 - Bombers 7] May 2, 2010

Statistics would have it that by way of past form, the London Olympians were favourite to notch an easy win but the Lincolnshire Bombers soon changed that notion. The Bombers played hard and to their strengths which seemed to suit the wet conditions, especially in the first half. On several occasions they had the Olympians on the back foot.

In the first quarter on offence, the Bombers were non-productive on each occasion of ball possession. This seemed to play into the hands of the Olympians but they found the surface tricky to engage their running game. The switch was made and QB Tomi Biberovic went to the air, with adequate offensive line protection, where receiver Chris Davies took a catch for the first TD in the game 6-0. The PAT was no good. The Olympians defence was in fine form and made sure the next offensive position on the field was in the opposition's territory. The ensuing drive saw a glimpse of the running game coming together wherein running back Seun Shobande opened with a 6-yard run, Jake Tedder 7-yards, and Chris Forrester 15 combined yards. Biberovic then faked a run and scrambled in for an Olympian TD that saw kicker Davies convert the PAT to up the score to 13-0.

The second quarter saw a surge in the advancement of the Bombers into Olympians territory from their 30-yard line. They were having some success with the run and caused a stir amongst the Olympians defence who then knuckled down to deliver a couple of sacks and crunching tackles. Despite subsequent long passes, Davies 25 yards and Shaun Stilwell 36 yards, the Bombers kept the Olympians out of the end zone whilst also delivering 3 QB sacks of their own!!

The Olympians special teams took up the challenge of cranking up the tempo irrespective of the weather conditions and returner Aaron Price blitz through the field on kick off return for 62 yards to the bombers 25yard line. It was only a quick thinking tackler that prevented him scoring. However, this was only a temporary delay because on the next play QB Bishop Adkins handed running back Alwyn "Junior" Davis the ball for a 25yard scamper TD. The converted PAT brought the score to 20-0 to the Olympians. This quarter saw a complete Olympians defensive dominance with the power tackling of Michael Omeru, Adeodatus Ronie Twumasi, Darren Whitney, Etienne Thomas-Jones, Nick Bob-Manuel and Jon Gadbury paving the way for great field position. Wide receiver Kenny Bello took a punt return for a 58yards TD and receiver Karim El-Sayed took a 2-point PAT pass conversion; 28-0. Receiver Stillwell made a great catch 40yards in the Bombers half and Junior ran in his second TD with the PAT no good, 34-0.

The Bombers were not deterred by what seemed to be a hammering and got some momentum back in the fourth quarter. After an unproductive drive, they keyed on the passing game of the Olympians that was hurting them. Another moment later the Bombers intercepted a pass only to run it back 42yards for their first TD and they converted the PAT with efficiency, 34-7. Olympians were disappointed because they knew they could complete their first shut-out but got on with the game. The next drive became a mixed bag thus from the Olympians' 8yard line, Junior rushed for 15yards, Bello 25yard catch, Shobande rushed for 32yards and Forrester ran in 20yard TD with Davies converting the PAT, 41-7. Receiver Bello, who is the team captain, on the next Olympians possession got behind the opposing bombers corner and took a 12yard catch and ran 28yards for the game ending TD, 47-7 (the PAT was unsuccessful).

The next game, Sunday 9th May, is against the Norwich Devils starting at 2:30pm - Crystal Palace National Sports Stadium.