Warwick force Northampton to work for win

COVENTRY, WEST MIDLANDS – Sunday the 19th of February saw the Warwick Wolves lose a close-fought game against playoff-bound new boys the Northampton Nemesis.

Learning from their heavy loss earlier in the season to the double-wing offence of the Leicester Longhorns, the formation fielded by Northampton’s O, the Wolves adapted to the Nemesis and fielded an irregular 5-4 defensive formation.

Second-year veteran Wayne Drew provided the main point of attack at nose tackle, dominating the Nemesis centre and stopping the run up the middle, including elusive quarterback sneaks. Defensive captain Tom Chester rallied the defence at outside linebacker, snuffing out the outside runs before they could reach the sidelines. With the double-wing posing no real aerial threat against the pass-stopping prowess of the Warwick safeties, the game became a ground battle in the trenches that, thanks to the lineman and linebacker corps’ phalanx crowding the box, Northampton simply could not grind out any meaningful result from.

Despite this solid defensive effort, Northampton were able to score twice, once in each half, from counter plays. However, they were also forced into numerous three-and-out situations by the determined Wolves defence. Even on the rare occasion when they lined up in spread, to take advantage of the lack of defensive backs, the Wolves’ defensive line’s rapid pass rush prevented any big plays that might give Nemesis the momentum.

Unfortunately, the Wolves’ O were unable to capitalise on the stalwart defensive play. Northampton’s D refused to give up any significant amount of ground to Warwick’s offence. Arguably, Northampton’s D won the game for the visitors and frustrated the home side all day, managing to halt the rushing attack of the Wolves running backs (who had previously rushed for six touchdowns in the last three games) and disrupt the passing game led by rookie quarterback Matt Fleming in the first start of his Wolves career.

Warwick’s only consolation was instead set up from a turnover within Northampton’s red zone in the fourth quarter. Wayne Drew forced a fumble from the Nemesis quarterback that was smothered by defensive tackle Conor Durham. Hard running from rookie running back Prince Ajose closed the distance to the goal line on first down, but Nemesis snuffed out any chance of a rushing touchdown on second down. Third down, however, was a different story. Expecting the run, the Nemesis D crowded the box, allowing Wolves rookie and GB youth quarterback Joe Watt, having come off the bench at the start of the second half, to hit five-year veteran receiver and team captain Pete Coppenhall over the top for his third passing touchdown in as many games.

Although this gave Warwick some badly needed momentum, allowing them to put together two more heartening drives, the Nemesis’ D held fast. Unfortunately, the Wolves’ D could not break up the time-wasting play, with the game finishing 12-6.

The Warwick Wolves will next host BUAFL powerhouse and local rivals the Birmingham Lions, who are currently top of the MAC and on a Championship berth, on the 26th of February.

COVENTRY, WEST MIDLANDS – Sunday the 19th of February saw the Warwick Wolves lose a close-fought game against playoff-bound new boys the Northampton Nemesis.

Learning from their heavy loss earlier in the season to the double-wing offence of the Leicester Longhorns, the formation fielded by Northampton’s O, the Wolves adapted to the Nemesis and fielded an irregular 5-4 defensive formation.

Second-year veteran Wayne Drew provided the main point of attack at nose tackle, dominating the Nemesis centre and stopping the run up the middle, including elusive quarterback sneaks. Defensive captain Tom Chester rallied the defence at outside linebacker, snuffing out the outside runs before they could reach the sidelines. With the double-wing posing no real aerial threat against the pass-stopping prowess of the Warwick safeties, the game became a ground battle in the trenches that, thanks to the lineman and linebacker corps’ phalanx crowding the box, Northampton simply could not grind out any meaningful result from.

Despite this solid defensive effort, Northampton were able to score twice, once in each half, from counter plays. However, they were also forced into numerous three-and-out situations by the determined Wolves defence. Even on the rare occasion when they lined up in spread, to take advantage of the lack of defensive backs, the Wolves’ defensive line’s rapid pass rush prevented any big plays that might give Nemesis the momentum.

Unfortunately, the Wolves’ O were unable to capitalise on the stalwart defensive play. Northampton’s D refused to give up any significant amount of ground to Warwick’s offence. Arguably, Northampton’s D won the game for the visitors and frustrated the home side all day, managing to halt the rushing attack of the Wolves running backs (who had previously rushed for six touchdowns in the last three games) and disrupt the passing game led by rookie quarterback Matt Fleming in the first start of his Wolves career.

Warwick’s only consolation was instead set up from a turnover within Northampton’s red zone in the fourth quarter. Wayne Drew forced a fumble from the Nemesis quarterback that was smothered by defensive tackle Conor Durham. Hard running from rookie running back Prince Ajose closed the distance to the goal line on first down, but Nemesis snuffed out any chance of a rushing touchdown on second down. Third down, however, was a different story. Expecting the run, the Nemesis D crowded the box, allowing Wolves rookie and GB youth quarterback Joe Watt, having come off the bench at the start of the second half, to hit five-year veteran receiver and team captain Pete Coppenhall over the top for his third passing touchdown in as many games.

Although this gave Warwick some badly needed momentum, allowing them to put together two more heartening drives, the Nemesis’ D held fast. Unfortunately, the Wolves’ D could not break up the time-wasting play, with the game finishing 12-6.

The Warwick Wolves will next host BUAFL powerhouse and local rivals the Birmingham Lions, who are currently top of the MAC and on a Championship berth, on the 26th of February.