WORCESTERSHIRE’S Black Knights will be looking to return to winning ways when they host the Cornish Sharks at Perdiswell next month.
The Black Knights travelled down to Paignton to face the Torbay Trojans in their third game of the season recently with both teams unbeaten but the hosts prevailed with a 15-7 win.
Torbay started with the ball on their own 20-yard line after a great special teams play by defensive lineman Connor Mulholland.
The ball was confidently driven 50 yards down the field before the Black Knights defence made a stop and gave their offence the ball for the first time in the game.
A quick offensive series meant Torbay got the ball back and the pressure was on the Black Knights defence.
After a couple of long plays and a consistent run game, the Trojans grabbed the first score of the game and a successful two-point conversion extended their lead to 8-0.
The ball went back and forth between the two teams for rest of the first half with the Black Knights defence recovering three fumbles.
However, it was Torbay who notched up their second converted score just before half-time, despite some great tackling by Knights corner back Tom Tandurella and line backer Josh Chambers.
Trailing 15-0 at the break, the Black Knights received the ball and some quick feet by returner Jake Cassidy put the Black Knights just inside their own half.
Some accurate passing by Knights quarterback Matt Cole drove the team down the field, only to be stopped when an errant pass was intercepted by the Trojans defence.
A quick stop by the Knights gave their offence the ball back who again drove down field, this time getting the ball into the endzone, courtesy of a 15-yard pass to running back Mike Cimarosti.
A successful extra point closed the gap to a score at 15-7 and into the fourth quarter both teams were battling hard trying to get the edge on their opponents.
Torbay’s offence had the ball within the Black Knights half with only six minutes left on the clock, knowing a couple of first downs and good clock management would see the game out.
The clocked ticked down to under two minutes and Torbay still had possession, until some quick reflexes by defensive lineman Toby Rhodes recovered the ball on a fumble.
The Black Knights had 90 seconds to get the ball 70 yards into the endzone for a chance at tying the game.
A couple of long passes to wide receiver Chris Jones brought the team within 30, but some aggressive tackling caused a fumble which was recovered by the Trojans to complete a 15-7 victory.
The Black Knights now sit at 2-1 and third in their division and welcome the Sharks to Perdiswell on Sunday, June 10 from 2.30pm.