Sydney Uni American Football Club

On a night where not everything went as scripted for the Sydney University Lions, the final play had a hint of a screen-writers flare about it. In the midst of another long, time-consuming drive, the Sutherland Seahawks quarterback Pete Upham dropped back to pass and was bundled up by middle linebacker, Joe Lim. Lim had summoned all of what little energy must have remained in his legs to burst through the line, sack the quarterback and preserve a 40 points to 18 Lions victory – a match that was much closer than the final score would indicate. That it was the defensive captain who got the final say in the game was extremely fitting, he and his unit had been bruised and battered all night, but when it mattered the most, they held strong.

Lim was everywhere on the field

It did not seem like the game was going to be anything but a mauling by the Lions after the two opening drives. The Seahawks took the opening kick off, and showed every bit of determination that one would expect from a team playing for their playoff lives. Behind the power running of Mick Hall, the Hawks made inroads into the Lions D and were driving the ball. Once they got inside Sydney Uni territory, the Lions defenders began playing more like the eight-time champs and less like a side who had clinched the number one seed in the playoffs already. It took a couple of big tackles from veteran defensive tackle Fady Aoun to stop the drive, and when the Lions offense took over, they looked sharp.

Fady and Steve "Hot Cop" Dabin slowing down the Hawks

In the absence of quarterback and league MVP candidate Kiernan Dorney, the running game was always going to feature heavily. That’s not such a bad idea when the reigning MVP is the man taking the handoffs in the backfield. Liam Erby’s number was called early and often on the opening drive and he responded by taking his team inside the 5 yard line. Daniel Kelen, taking over at QB, had clearly learnt something from Dorney (who Danny coached, and taught him most of what he knows), as he used Erby as the decoy on 2nd and goal and dived in for a touchdown. The kick was no good, but it looked like Uni would be closing out their regular season in style.

Kelen powering over defenders on his way to the score

However, the Seahawks hit back. It wasn’t a knockout punch, but a series of stinging jabs at the Lions defense as they crawled up the field and into the Lions half and the second quarter. Eventually they took their shot downfield and completed a pass inside the Lions 10, and there was no keeping out Hall from that range. An unsuccessful conversion kept the scores tied at 6 all, and the Lions offense (after a long wait) prepared to launch their second attack.

It was a physical game up front, and the Lions' D stood strong

It did not last long. Incomplete passes and a penalty stalled the drive before it had even started, and the Lions defense (who had been on the pitch for all but eight plays in the half) returned to the field.

It turned out to be a night where every pair of arms and legs would be needed by the defense, and Sydney University suffered what could have been a critical loss, when Leigh Louey-Gung was forced from the field with an ankle injury. In his place, Mathieu Bertrand and Nick Olive stepped up to be the men most frequently making the crucial downfield tackles. The defensive unit would contain the Seahawks offense giving the Lions offense one last chance before the half.

The special teams were strong, with Cloyd and Olive leading Jungstedt down the field

With only 39 seconds remaining in the half, the Lions took to the air. Wide receiver James Northwood – making his first start of the season – availed himself to a scrambling Kelen who fired the ball to him on the run for a 17 yard gain. The two combined on the next play for another first down and the Lions were in range of the endzone. That was exactly where Kelen aimed his next pass. Harry Granger had a step on his defender as he ran along the right sideline, but he was unable to hold onto a slightly underthrown pass that would have given his side the lead. Time expired and the scores were locked at 6 apiece at halftime.

Kelen's patented surgical strikes overwhelmed the Hawks

The Lions took possession to start the second half and were brimming with determination to drive the ball. Unfortunately they lacked execution and three plays later they were in punt formation. Matters got worse when the punt was blocked and the Seahawks recovered with great field position. They would not squander the opportunity as they punched the ball in for six. The Hawks threw for the endzone on the conversion, but Joe Lim intercepted the attempt for two points and began rumbling down the field trying to get two valuable points for the Lions. Though he did not quite make the endzone, Lim’s play stirred the spirits of his team, and when the offense next took the field, the Seahawks confidence was soon shaken. A short pass to Tristan Cauhepe, and a nice run by Liam Erby got the sticks moving. Then, behind a cracking lead block by Erby, Kelen found himself past the defensive line. The quarterback cut back against the grain and charged to the endzone for the tying score. The kick made it 13-12 and the match (and the Lions) had come alive.

Hugh turning up the field to gash the Hawks

The Sydney University defense took their cue and allowed nothing on the next possession. The defensive line of Fady and Chady Auon, Mitch Haney and Andreas Lundin, were eating up blockers and Lim and Nicolai Hansen were picking off the runners that made it through. The Seahawks offenses could not progress the ball and possession was returned to the Lions who clearly were hitting their stride.

Kelen first threw to Sam Darcy who leapt over his defender to make the catch, and still had the balance and awareness to run after the grab. This moved the Lions into the redzone where Kelen slung a pass to Liam Erby whose slick moves enabled him to skip past and outrun defenders as he raced into the endzone.

Darcy was aggressive all night, whether punishing DBs or attacking the ball.

The match looked to have completely swung in favour of the Lions when Anthony Tuong forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff which was recovered by Musa Ovalle. The Institute, with only a short field to work with, returned to the ground game. With two running backs and a fired up offensive line, it was not long until Alex Watson cantered into the endzone to give the Lions a 26 – 12 lead.

Watson, the toughest runner in the league ploughing through attempted tackles

The Seahawks’ feathers would not be ruffled for long; just as Sydney Uni had reverted to the ground game, so too would Sutherland. With their season slowly slipping away, they mounted yet another drive with hard running and big blocks. The third quarter had ended by the time the Seahawks had moved inside the Lions 5 yard line, and they opened the final period with a touchdown.

Erby being athletic, Carbs and Twinky destroying people- welcome to the Lions O

When Sydney University’s offense took to the field for their first possession of the final quarter the score was 26 – 18. When they left the field one play later, it was 32 – 18. Kelen to Granger – the combination that had so nearly snatched the lead at the end of the half – looked picture perfect as the QB pumped right before launching a pass down field. Granger ran onto the ball in stride between the hashmarks and raced through the goal posts for a potentially back- breaking touchdown.

Northwood leaving defenders in his wake

With only a fourteen-point lead (in a match that had swayed back and forth) it was essential that Sydney Uni make a stop on the next drive. The Uni D had been forced, by the Seahawks time of possession and style of play, to get contributions from everyone. While their offense had the luxury if deciding which of its many weapons would be deployed at any given stage, the Lions defenders were in a war of attrition. And they showed the mettle to win that war on the next drive. With tackles being made those who had been on the field the entire time like Aoun and Lim, and players stepping up for injured starters like Stefan Weissenberg who flew up in run support, the Seahawks were stopped.

Savvy vet Nicolai baited the Hawk's QB and stole the ball

Sydney Uni took the ball and ate up some valuable time. Again they did it with the running game. Watson provided the power, Erby the speed, Kelen the steady leadership, and all was made possible by the offensive line. On second and goal, Alex Watson delivered a thunderous block to clear the way for Erby’ second touchdown of the day. The Barrel Pony then carried the ball himself for the 2 point conversion.

Kelen wore the yellow jersey all the way in this Tour De Force

With a 40 – 18 lead and only minutes remaining, the match was all but over. Lim’s sack put the matter to rest, and sealed the Sydney University Lions fifth consecutive undefeated regular season.

In no way the most dominating performance of the season, the Lions victory displayed toughness, focus and the ability to make plays when most desperately needed – all qualities that will be at a premium as the playoffs roll around. With a first round bye, the defending champs can rest their legs, clear their minds and set their sights on the ultimate goal – getting to and winning Waratah Bowl 2011.