Tsunami offense shut out as Mariners roll

The Brighton Tsunami’s offense were held scoreless for the first time this season on Sunday (11th December) as the physically imposing Greenwich Mariners left the Falmer STP with a signature win on which to build their push for the post-season. Toughness and desire were the marked differences between the two teams on a day when Brighton looked flat and uninspired in all phases.

The game began in encouraging style for Brighton’s offense who, after finding their feet with a 3 and out on their first possession, settled into a promising rhythm. Running back James Howard showed great awareness in smartly picking up a rapidly approaching Greenwich blitz giving  quarterback Jake Beale enough time to roll out, set his feet and rifle a pass into the grateful diving arms of wide receiver Simeon Marriot-Dixon for an impressive gain. The Greenwich corners seemed initially wary of the speed possessed by Brighton’s wide receiving core often showing them perhaps too much respect and exposing some soft coverage. However this kind of well-oiled efficiency was demonstrated far too erratically by Brighton owing much to Greenwich’s tenacious, dominating inside presence which did not afford triggerman Jake Beale any time to pick apart the holes displayed by the Mariners secondary as he found himself harassed and pursued constantly.

On one occasion very early on in the contest Greenwich’s hulking #45 exploded through the offensive line and found himself with a clear shot at the Tsunami quarterback. Beale was powerless to evade the impending contact approaching from his blindside and the 2nd year quarterback was levelled, fumbling the football after a crushing hit. Beale showed commendable courage and grit in returning to the game after the play which left him nursing his ribs and in considerable discomfort.

The Tsunami defence came into the game full of confidence having held the vaunted, high-flying Kent Falcons offense to just 13 points in their previous game and this confidence was vindicated early on as Brighton held firm surrendering 0 points to Greenwich in the opening 5 drives of which 4 resulted in turnovers and 1 in a punt.

Despite their best efforts though the rock solid defence were eventually eroded and worn down. Contributing factors including an inordinate amount of time spent on the field and the punishing running attack of Greenwich finally sapped the strength and morale of the Tsunami defence and saw them began to give up larger and larger amounts of ground. Brighton rallied briefly and made impressive stands on 1st and 2nd down after allowing Greenwich to drive the ball to the Tsunami 30 yard line but finally relented and were gashed on 3rd down for a 30 yard touchdown that frankly seemed inevitable at this point. Greenwich’s #30 burst through a gaping hole opened by his offensive line and advanced down the field flanked by 2 other Mariners who escorted the running back untouched into the end zone.

The game entered its half time interlude with Brighton trailing 6-0 and the dark, murky, rain soaked horizon personified the mood on the Tsunami sideline. Their demeanour was one of a beaten team already accepting the inevitability of the loss and the resulting end to their realistic post-season aspirations and this was acutely displayed by the steadily declining quality in play as the second half commenced.

The Tsunami defence continued to hold up early on but continued to falter once they had forced the Mariners into difficult 3rd down situations. Repeatedly Brighton would appear naïve and over eager in their blitzes, effectively removing themselves from the play and allowing Greenwich to gain the necessary yards. As the minutes on the clock ticked down the one-two punch of Greenwich #33 and #30 began to stamp their mark on the game, running over and through would-be tacklers and bulldozing their way down the field. The continued, maintained, ferocity exhibited by the Mariners was all the more impressive when combined with the knowledge that the majority of the Greenwich team were playing both on offense and defence.

After another clock-draining drive the Mariners again penetrated the end zone with 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter making the score 13-0 after the successful extra point and effectively icing the game. Tsunami failed to pick up Greenwich’s behemoth tight end (#45) who displayed unexpectedly soft hands in hauling in the short pass before rumbling in for the score from close range.

At this point Brighton had conceded the game and used the opportunity to rotate some rookies onto the field to gain some valuable experience against a high calibre opposition and this make-shift defensive unit gave up the third and final touchdown of the day, despite a valiant effort, again to #45 on a similar short catch and run over the middle as time expired.

Throughout the second half the Tsunami offense failed to harness any momentum, matching every successful play with a confidence damaging error or miscue. A large degree of credit for the stuttering, stalling offensive performance must be paid to the Greenwich defence who were stifling and stubborn all day effectively eliminating the run game that the Tsunami pride themselves on and continually hounding quarterback Jake Beale and punishing him with a dizzying array of monster hits.

Greenwich were visibly ecstatic after recording such a resounding victory in a game which they would have expected to be much tougher and will no doubt use the confidence gained to fuel the fire of their playoff dreams. The win also saw them exact revenge for the comprehensive beating that the Tsunami inflicted on the Mariners last season on Greenwich’s home turf.

Contrastingly the Tsunami must collect themselves and prepare to put their disappointing start to the season behind them. On a more positive note the Christmas vacation will give the team’s numerous injured personnel time to heal and return, and any major faults can be examined and amended. Brighton can take a great deal of pride in the fact that despite a tough opening slate of games and even including the disheartening display in the Greenwich game their defence still ranks #2 in the SEC behind only perennial national championship contenders Hertfordshire and continue to create a startling amount of turnovers in every game. The offense as a unit is infused with an astounding degree of talent and will surely rise to the potential that they have always possessed if they can just derive the right balance in plays and inter-personnel chemistry.

Brighton Tsunami will look to bury the memory of their first 4 games and push on, clinging to the small glimmer of hope that represents and unlikely challenge cup playoff birth.