LIONS SINK PIRATES IN OPENER
The first game in the "Drive For Five" resulted in an overpowering victory for the Lions. The Pirates had no answer for the Lions' clinical offensive show, swarming pressure defence and revamped special teams.
The Pirates' first drive was an indicator of what was in store for the night. Ken "Popeye" Autterson crashed through the offensive line to claim Pirates' quarterback Dave Ward for a sack on the second play of the game. It was the start of a big night for Autterson, who finished with 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and a fumble recovery. On fourth down, outside linebacker Colby Myers chased down the Pirates' punter, resulting in a turnover and a loss of 5 yards on the drive. Given great field position, the Lions offence took only two plays to open its scoring ledger for 2007, Matt Croasdaile cruising into the endzone from 22 yards.
There was no let up from the Lions. Continuing pressure from the defensive front and tight coverage from the secondary caused Ward to throw incomplete on his first 11 pass attempts. The front seven of Ken Autterson, Troy Carrick, Chady Aoun, Simon Lewis, Colby Myers, Joe Lim and Keenan Mackett would hold the Pirates to minus 17 yards on the ground for the game. On the offensive side, the Lions got on a roll, Liam "Fatback" Erby and James "Mac" Shine finding the endzone to make the score 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
There was no change with the change of ends, the Lions continuing to power into the second quarter. Quarterback Dan Kelen found deep threat Bradley Ryals on a fly pattern for an 80 yard runaway touchdown. Then freshman Nick Millar recovered the ensuing kick-off and scooted into the endzone. The officials consulted and awarded a touchdown. While a dubious call, the score was a fitting reward for Millar's excellent play at cornerback with 5 tackles, an intercept and a pass break up. Matt Croasdaile scored his second touchdown at the end of a well constructed drive to post a half-time score of 41-0.
The second half began with a Lions' fumble on the kick-off return and a long range touchdown pass to the Pirates. However, the Lions' offensive line of Andrew Matthews, James Gifford, Tim Snape, Fady Aoun, Cameron Lawrence, Dave Thode and Andrew Simpson was dominant all night, doing an excellent job of opening the holes for the backs and keeping Kelen's uniform clean. With time to throw, Kelen put on a passing clinic, completing 75% of his passes for 215 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. One of many highlights in the passing game was the performance of freshman receiver Tristan Cauhepe who, after dropping cold the first pass thrown his way, rescued a poorly thrown pass from a host of defensive backs for his first career reception and then split the secondary with a 26 yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
A second rushing touchdown to Erby completed the scoring at 54-12 and put him over 100 yards rushing at 13 yards per attempt. With Matt Croasdaile carrying the ball for 162 rushing yards, the Lions ended up with a healthy 274 yards on the ground. Special teams were also excellent, blocking 2 point after tries and a punt and not allowing any serious yards on kick-offs.
In the end, the Lions simply dominated the Pirates from the opening whistle to post an emphatic victory and sound a warning that the "Drive for Five" is very much alive.
Sydney Uni Lions 54 def. West Sydney Pirates 12
15 September 2007
Craik Park, Austral
1Q SU: Croasdaile 22 yd TD run. Erby PAT. 7:0
1Q SU: Shine 15 yd TD pass from Kelen. Erby PAT 14:0
1Q SU: Erby 17 yd TD run. Erby PAT 21:0
2Q SU: Ryals 80 yd TD pass from Kelen. Erby PAT 28:0
2Q SU: Millar 25 yd fumble recovery. Erby PAT. 35:0
2Q SU: Croasdaile 4 yd TD run. PAT blocked 41:0
3Q WS: 40 yd TD pass from Ward. PAT blocked 41:6
3Q SU: Erby 2 yd TD run. Erby PAT 48:6
4Q WS: 10 yd TD pass from Ward. 2pt attempt failed 48:12
4Q SU: Cauhepe 26 yd TD pass from Kelen. PAT missed 54:12