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Maidstone Pumas: 18 Colchester Gladiators 45

Pumas sign off in style

Maidstone Pumas travelled to Wivenhoe to play the final game of their 2008 season against Colchester Gladiators. Colchester needed to win to maintain their second spot in the South East Conference and the 6th seeds going into the post season play off’s.

The Pumas travelled on the back of two crushing defeats, however, the announcements by various players who were retiring, fired up the Pumas squad.

The game started with both teams showing signs of fatigue after long seasons. However, Colchester jumped into the lead on the back of a Leo Beckford 18 yard run. Beckford was the main difference between both teams, with 5 touchdowns on the day.

On the next series, Beckford waltzed through the Pumas defence, this time from 56 yards. However, The Pumas kept plugging away and a gutsy 4th down pass from QB John Bowden to the returning Dave Kerr kept the Gladiators honest.

Into the second quarter, the Pumas defence, made the play that the team needed, when Colchester were forced to punt. The snap sailed over the head of the punter and Line backer Steve Berry chased the ball and punter down to the 8 yard line. Running back James Cherry took over and 3 plays later, the Pumas were on the board. Cherry would go onto to have 213 yard rushing and a pass reception on the day.

The Gladiators came back and that man Beckford and Alex Robinson scored from short range.

The Pumas came back in style, from the ensuing kick off Cherry returned the ball 14 yards. Cherry then weaved through the Gladiators defence on a 43 yard run and eventually punched the ball in for his second score.

The second half was much of the same as both team furiously moved the ball, but both defences got on top. It was into the 4th quarter when the final scoring came when Beckford scored his 5th and final TD. The Pumas gave second string QB Chris Damski two series and it was Damski who ran out time by plunging into the end zone for his first ever TD score.

Coaches Ted Smith and Alan Lear thanked their players for an excellent season, reminding them that the Pumas had broken their single season scoring record. Recorded the most touchdowns in a season and James Cherry, subject to confirmation, had broken the single season Pumas rushing record.

Coach Smith said after the game “The team showed today what we could do if we were able to get the right people fit and to games. We have broken so many records yet, we still finished at the foot of the South East Conference. However, we do note that several teams have finished below us in the rankings, which reflects the clubs improvements on and off the pitch. However, despite improvements on the pitch, we still have a lot of work to do before we can confidently play teams such as Colchester and London Cobras on equal terms”.

General Manager, Stuart Crowley thanked the retiring players and reminded everyone, that the 2009 season starts on 14th September for light fitness and skills training followed by 28th September with a coaches/players meeting.

Stuart also added &ldquoWe have set a target of achieving a player base of between 40 and 45 players to start the 2009 season. With the number of returning players and converting the interest shown by members of the public into players, this is not unachievable. We will also be interviewing prospective coaches within the next few weeks, with the view to making a series of appointments to strengthen the coaching set up”.

Next activity is 14th September – Oakwood Park training ground.

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