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Sunday 13th July 2008: Maidstone Pumas 33 Essex Spartans 43

Shoot out at Billericay

On a pleasant summer’s day, The Maidstone Pumas travelled to Essex for the early kick off against conference rivals Essex Spartans. The Pumas had beaten Essex in the first game of the season, but expected a much tougher contest as Essex had recruited additional coaches, one who had been working with the Pumas.

Last weeks 16 heroesrsquo;s were boosted by the return of running back James Cherry, Defensive Back, Jeremy Reid and Defensive lineman Charlie Flynn. It was 20 players who warmed up prior to the game.

The game started with The Pumas defence shutting down the Essex offence, however, the usually potent Pumas offence, put together some good drives, which petered out. Midway through the first quarter, the Pumas clicked into action, with strong running by Cherry and a John Bowden 32 yard pass to Anthony Malyan, which set up Cherry’s 2 yard trot into the end zone for the opening score. The Pumas kept the pressure on and Bowden then found Cherry open in the end zone for a 25 yard pass reception. David Kerr slotted home the extra point.

To their credit, Essex adjusted and started the next running the ball behind rookie sensation Gary Cohen. It fell to veteran Matt Campbell Carr to finish off some excellent work with a 5 yard run. The Pumas offence came out with the intention of scoring just before the half time break and did so when Bowden found Anthony Malyan in the end zone from 22 yards. It was the Pumas who took a 19 – 6 lead into the break. Coaches Smith and Lear warned the team that they needed to continue with the smart play, but were concerned that with players rotating on both offence and defence fatigue may come into play.

The second half started as the Pumas coaches had feared, with an improved defence and strong running attack, Essex punished any Pumas mistake and in a three touchdown blitz, thought that they had secured the game. 2 scores from Matt Baker and a Gary Cohen scamper left the Pumas feeling bruised.

However, on the first play of the Fourth Quarter, Cherry ran back the opening kick off 75 yards and then two plays later strolled in from 7yards, Kerr added the extra point. Then after the Pumas defence had rallied, QB Bowden drove the ball downfield and Cherry finished off, this time from 12 yards. Kerr again added the extra point. A remarkable turn around which put the Pumas in a 33 – 28 lead.

Essex came out a little shocked but with both teams tiring, replacement running back Craig Willis broke through the line and raced 50 yards for the go ahead score. This was followed by a Shulba Hunt 8 yard run to finish off the game with 17 seconds left.

Coach Lear said after the game “Despite losing, I am really proud of all 20 players, many of whom only had 6 or 7 plays off. Obviously, we are a threat on offence, but our defence lead by Steve Berry – 10 solo tackles and 13 running yards and Dan Malyan 7 solo and 2 assists, played as though possessed. We were out numbered by a much larger squad, which told in the end as Essex were able to bring on fresh running backs, in the second half”

Coach Smith added “I thought the Officials handled the game well, even though they had to drive to Colchester for the 4pm game. I am also pleased that we appear not to have suffered any additional injuries, although receiver Chris Damski did pull a hamstring early on. I am pleased that we now have a two week break before a three game run in to finish the season”.

General Manager Stuart Crowley added “We will be in a position to announce two significant sponsorship deals in the few two weeks. Finishing touches are being put to the deals”.

The Pumas youth and senior teams will be holding a series of player recruitment days in September, more details to follow.

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