Killer Bees Down Titans

The Bath Killer Bees advanced to 3-0 with a scrappy 20-0 victory over the Swansea Titans.

The game started in cold, wet conditions with both teams adjusting their offenses accordingly. The first quarter was a very quick affair, with both teams running the ball extensively. Bobby Nightingale found some early success on the ground, picking up some big gains. Unfortunately Bath ran out of steam in the redzone on several occasions, and the quarter ended scoreless.

The second quarter started much as the first had ended, with neither team making a lot of headway. Indeed, Swansea didn’t make a single first down until the second half. The deadlock was finally broken inside the two minute warning, when QB Christoph Cox threw a pinpoint pass to unlikely target Rob Hussey, who came down with the ball in the endzone for a 26 yard touchdown. Mike Hutchinson split the uprights to make it 7-0 at the half.

Swansea started the half with possession, but quickly relinquished it when rookie Ryan Harvey picked off an intended screen pass on the Swansea 29 yard line. The Titans were punished on the very next play when Nightingale, who finished with 109 yards off 15 carries, sped down the sideline for a touchdown. Again Hutchinson knocked through the extra point to bring it to 14-0.

The Titans started finding their rhythm on offense, especially on the ground where they were punishing up the middle. The Bees D were up to the task though, and no further scoring occurred in the 3^rd.

Bath continued eating up huge chunks of yardage in the final quarter, with a couple of big Nightingale runs setting up first and goal on the 5. He was subbed out for Simon Vanstone, who punched it in from 2 yards out. Long snapper Rob Hussey’s hands “were getting cold” which was his feeble excuse for botching the snap on the extra point, and holder Cox was swallowed up to keep the score to 20-0.

Swansea strung together their best drive of the game inside the two minute warning, reeling off several first downs to march all the way down the field. Facing 4^th and 7, the QB went for a late pass over the middle. It was going to one-hop incomplete, but moronic linebacker Trafford Alli thought it a good idea to kick the ball in midair instead of simply batting it down with his hands. This led to a half distance penalty tagged onto the spot of the foul, 16 yards in total, giving Swansea a fresh set of downs on the 7 yard line. A defensive holding call on the next play moved them even closer to the goalline. Luckily for Trafford, the D held strong and the clock expired.

Offensive MVP was Bobby Nightingale, who had arguably his best game since last season’s four touchdown effort against Bristol Barracuda. Defensive MVP was Alex Reilly, who had 6 solo tackles, 5 assists and a forced fumble on the day. Special mentions went to Rob Hussey for his first touchdown in nearly two years, Sean Franks for hard work on D all day, and Tommy Solan for his first career forced fumble.

Statto’s MVP was Liam Emmett, who was Bath’s reception leader. The twist comes when I reveal that Emmett plays free safety. His two interceptions on the day helped rob Swansea of momentum and gave the Bees great field position.

This Sunday sees the visit of the 4-0 UWE Bullets. Both teams are undefeated – something has to give! KO 1pm on the STV 1 pitch behind the astroturfs.

Match report by Simon Love.