Varsity American Football: York Centurions 6-33 Hull Sharks

The second quarter saw the first points come from a Hull touchdown midway through the second quarter but York, through Elliot Chacksfield, strike back with one of their own just before half-time.

However, Hull went ahead again after the restart and scored a further three touchdowns without reply to emerge deserving victors.

The first half was a fairly slow affair, and there was little to choose between the two sides. Both defences were equal to everything the offences could muster, efficiently snuffing out dangerous- looking moves before they could come to fruition.

Eventually, though, the deadlock was broken, and it was Hull who made the breakthrough with a touchdown halfway through the second quarter to lead 0 – 6.

The sides had been evenly matched up until this point, and there was a sense that York just needed to maintain their composure and keep the pressure on and they would reap the rewards.

This they did, in an excellent comeback drive, in which some quality pass protection from York’s offensive line afforded quarterback Rob Wickham time to pick out a 25-yard pass to a free Elliot Chacksfield for York’s first touchdown, bringing the score to 6 – 6 just before the break.

Having finished the half on a high note, there were hopes among the York supporters and players that this good spell would carry over into the second half.

However, such hopes were curtly dashed following the restart, as York’s offence found themselves undone by a 50-yard punt return, resulting in a Hull touchdown and another swing in momentum, with York down 6 points to Hull’s 18.

This was followed by an increase in tempo, as the game seemed to be opening up more and neither side’s defence looked as compact as in the first half.

Almost as compensation for this, the third quarter saw some big hits landed on players of both sides, as first, Wickham was sidelined after a penetrative rush from Hull saw him receive a heavy blow in the spine, and then, a Hull player was floored by a hit to the helm, resulting in the patrolling ambulance having to be called onto the pitch.

However again, it was Hull who came out on top following this spell of play, as a Sharks’ receiver collected a pass and seemed to find a free route out of nowhere as he ran 50 yards to make it 6 – 18.

York’s offence, though, could muster no reply as Hull seemed to crowd out any inkling of a York attack with a minimum of fuss, turning the home side over on several occasions, and the balance of the match was tangibly tipping in the visitors’ favour.

On the other hand, when in possession, Hull were always turning the screw, probing for a killer pass or free route, and inevitably, in the fourth quarter, they scored again; this time with a 15 yard throw into the end zone. And when this was followed up by the first two-point conversion of the match, Hull were cruising to an emphatic victory.

Playing with confidence now, Hull’s plays just seemed to come off for them, while York were now on damage control. And Hull were to have the final word in the match, as their quarterback, after a rushing play on the previous down, again found a pass to a receiver in far too much space, who was able to run into the corner for Hull’s fifth touchdown.

It was typical of the kind of luck Hull were getting, when, to rub salt in the wound, York brilliantly charged down the subsequent kick conversion, only to see the deflected ball spin over the posts anyway, concluding the match at 6 – 33.

Every member of the York team showed evident disappointment at the final whistle, however, there was a general acknowledgement that, whilst the final score might have flattered Hull, they nevertheless deserved to win the game.

However, quarterback Rob Wickham commented in no uncertain terms, “This team will be absolutely determined to bounce back against Lancaster.”

Vision MOTM: Rob Wickham