Many wondered how the Warriors would cope with the loss of so many of last year’s National Championship side and in particular how they would manage without Devar Gayle. From their first outing of the season against the Spartans the answer seems that they are not going to miss a beat.

Rookie Dominic Farrell opened the Warriors 2007 account with a fifteen yard burst and with the extra two points being good, the Warriors settled into their slick routine of old. Farrell broke free from twenty-five yards out darting in off tackle to increase the home sides lead, leaving them with a comfortable 14 – 0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Another Farrell dash from twelve yards added a further six before quarterback Jerome Allen hooked up with another rookie, wide receiver Mike Green. Green broke two tackles and launched himself into the corner of the end zone as he was being pushed out of bounds to complete a forty-five yard score. Farrell claimed his fourth touchdown of the afternoon, outpacing a beleaguered Spartans defense for a fifteen yard score and push the Warriors lead out to a comfortable 32 – 0 at the half.

As ever, the Spartans stiffened their defense and with a few adjustments managed to reduce the flow of scores. Dominic Farrell notched his fifth touchdown in his debutant game with another scintillating twenty yard run. The two point conversion moved the London side out to 40 – 0 as the sides moved into the fourth quarter.

Making it a day for rookies, tight end Mark Finney snared an Allen forty yard strike, strode through a couple of desperate tackles and added a further six to the tally. With the extra two points being added to the score the new look Warriors marched to 48 – 0 and maintained their unbeaten record now into its third season.

Without doubt the Spartans are a vastly improved side from last season. What must be worrying for the rest of the teams hoping to feature at Don Valley later this year, is that the Warriors appear to be as strong as ever. It is going to take something special to knock them off their pedestal.