LIONS ROLL OVER SEAHAWKS

Sydney Uni scored a comprehensive 54-12 win over the Sutherland Seahawks in their round 8 clash at the St George Hockey Fields on Saturday evening.  The Lions defence shut down the Seahawks passing offence and consistently handed the ball over to the offence in good field position.  While often not having far to go, the offence was ruthless in taking advantage of these opportunities in a compelling performance. 

The first score was a case in point.  Good play from cornerback David Bourke saw the Seahawks' first drive stall without picking up a first down.  The Seahawks' problems compounded when the long snap went over the punter's head and the Lions' defence hunted the punter down for a turnover on downs on the Seahawks' 16 yard line.  After a play for a loss, Kiernan Dorney connected with Mathew Freeman for a 21 yard touchdown strike and the rout was on. 

The next drive yielded a similar result.  On the second play, safety Leigh Louey-Gung played his deep zone to perfection to latch on to an underthrown ball and return the interception to the Seahawks' 8 yard line.  Chris Snagg ran the ball in from 5 yards and the Lions had a quickfire 14-0 lead. 

The Seahawks had more success on their next drive, moving the ball into Lions territory, but again the drive ended with a turnover - this time linebacker Nick Baldwin diving in front of the intended receiver on the sideline to snare the interception.  However, the Seahawks came back with a big play of their own.  With the Lions at midfield, quarterback Dorney was sacked from the backside as he rolled left, the ball bouncing out and nicely up into the hands of the Seahawks defence.  The Seahawks accepted the present and ran the fumble in for a touchdown to bring them back into the game.  The 2 point attempt was incomplete, leaving the score at 14-6.

The Seahawks were hardly back into the game before the Lions struck again, Chris Snagg busting a third down run for 38 yards and a touchdown.  The first quarter ended with the Lions leading 21-6 and the signs were ominous.

The Lions defence stopped the Seahawks without a first down on their next drive and the offence got to work.  Croasdaile and Snagg ate up the yards on the ground and two long completions to Mathew Freeman - the second for a 21 yard touchdown - were enough to put the Lions out to a 27-6 lead after Erby missed the PAT. 

The Seahawks drove down to the Lions 15 yard line on their next drive, where quarterback Mike Vera was shaken up in a fierce tackle by Nick Baldwin as he struggled for extra yards on a quarterback keeper.  Substitute quarterback Pete Upham then threw an interception to Lions freshman cornerback Chris Taylor as he was searching for the endzone to keep the score at the end of the half, 27-6. 

The second half could hardly have started better for the Lions.  After a long kick return, Matt Croasdaile took the first play from scrimmage 26 yards against the grain for a touchdown to extend the score to 34-6.  The offensive line of James Gifford, Cameron Lawrence, Tim Snape, David Allen and Laurie Hypponen were on song, clearing big holes for the backfield to exploit. 

The Lions defence had its only real blemish on the next drive.  At mid-field the Seahawks completed a slant pattern to speedy receiver Brandon Martells, who then broke the tackle of Anthony Sinton on his way to a 41 yard touchdown.  Sinton had a small measure of revenge when he reacted well to break up the 2 point pass attempt. 

However, the scoreline of 34-12 was shortlived.  The Seahawks had been playing press coverage for much of the match and it was only a matter of time before the Lions connected on one of their timing go routes.  It happened on the next play, Dorney laying a perfectly weighted pass out for Liam Erby to catch in stride and take 41 yards for a touchdown.  41-12.

The Seahawks went three and out on their next drive.  A number of Lions freshmen really stepped up in this game, including defensive end Max Vloeburghs, who recorded a tackle for loss on the first down play to put the Seahawks offence into a hole.  The offence drove the length of the field with confidence, Chris Snagg bulling home from 2 yards out. 

The last defensive drive typified the day's great performance and the non-stop play from the front seven engine room.  Max Vloeburghs and Joe Lim combined for a tackle for loss on a first down play, before Lim showed real determination and athleticism to chase down the Seahawks' quarterback for a 12 yard loss.  The Seahawks wilted under this relentless pressure and gave up a turnover on downs after yet another bad snap on the punt saw them trapped on their own 6 yard line.  The offence gratefully accepted the field position, a scrambling Dorney finding Mac Shine at the back of the endzone for the game's final touchdown. 

Lions 54 def. Seahawks 12

4 November 2006

St George Hockey Centre

1Q SU:  Freeman 21 yd TD pass from Dorney. Erby PAT.    7:0

1Q SU:  Snagg 5 yd TD run.  Erby PAT                   14:0

1Q SS:  #31 35 yd fumble recovery TD.  2pt pass failed 14:6

1Q SU:  Snagg 38 yd TD run. Erby PAT                   21:6

2Q SU:  Freeman 21 yd TD pass from Dorney. PAT failed  27:6

3Q SU:  Croasdaile 26 yd TD run. Erby PAT              34:6

3Q SS:  Martell 41 yd TD pass. 2pt pass failed         34:12

3Q SU:  Erby 41 yd TD pass from Dorney. Erby PAT       41:12

4Q SU:  Snagg 2 yd TD run.  PAT failed                 47:12

4Q SU:  Shine 3 yd TD pass from Dorney. Erby PAT       54:12