London Warriors 66 v 14 Kent Exiles

The Warriors cemented their hold on second place following this victory over the Exiles. Two Devar Gayle scoring bursts, set the London outfit on their way, gliding to a 12 – 0 first quarter lead.

Having set up the ground game and the threat of Gayle constantly in the their minds, the Warriors switched to the air in the second period with devastating effect. A fifteen-yard scoring pass from Jerome Allen to Dominic Fevrier-McPherson gained the home side a further six points and with the conversion notching a further two to their tally moved out to 20 – 0. For good measure Allen then hit Matthew Russell who gathered in the pass and scampered the remainder of the fifty yards to move the Warriors even further ahead. Far from being finished Allen then linked up with William Bryce for a fifteen yard score before once again finding Fevrier-McPherson from forty yards out. With both of the conversions also being good the Warriors had notched up a staggering thirty points through the air to lead by a clear 42 – 0 at the half.

The Exiles, playing for pride, fought back in the third where most teams would have laid down. Thanks to a defense that suddenly became energised, and defensive end Gary Owens scooped up a fumble to give the Kent side some heart. Behind a punishing ground game the Exiles clawed their way into scoring position and Oli Gould fired a perfect forty-yard strike to Luke Grundy to give the Kent side their first six points. On their next drive the Exiles stuck to the ground bruising their way down the length of the field before Luke Aylward battered his way off right tackle to double their account. Tom Taylor booted the extra points as the Exiles gained confidence in closing the gap to 42 – 14 at the end of the third.

The Warriors returned to Devar Gayle to secure their victory. His twelve and thirty-three yard bursts for further scores were increased by a pair of conversions. Rookie quarterback Dale Greenfield opened his touchdown tally when he hit Fevrier-McPherson for his third score of the game and move the Warriors into over a fifty point lead.

The Exiles should take heart in some areas of their performance. Very few running backs will claim a hundred yard game against the Warriors as Aylward did. Few will deny such a potent offense a score in any given quarter. With a match up against Essex Spartans looming next week they should complete the season with a winning record and show the steady progress they have made throughout the year.

The Warriors remain on track for a possible playoff spot, but as events unfold over next weekend all should become much clearer.