– Jack Teague contributed with this report
“Friendly” is not a word associated with American football and this was clear to see in the so titled pre-season warm up game between the Lincoln Colonials and Leicester Longhorns.
With both sides needing match practice ahead of season openers in the coming weeks, the teams fought hard to dominate, showing just how much hard work had gone into pre-season training. For many of the players it was the first time they had padded up against other opposition in a competitive situation and so it was an extremely beneficial day for both teams.
The day was split into two sections: A scrimmage session with pre-designed plays and set situations, and a timed game of two quarters to end. After a good performance from both sides during the scrimmage the shortened match finished 13-6, Leicester coming out victorious by a margin of just one touchdown.
Leicester scored both touchdowns in the first quarter, their second of which proved to be the winner as they hit back immediately from kick-off after a Colonials score. Simon Wilkinson’s pass to wide receiver Tom Bray had levelled the score at 6-6 just moments before the end of the quarter.
A fumble recovery by Owain Rees gave the Colonials hope with just minutes remaining but a lobbed pass was intercepted by Leicester, ending the game in the process.
It was clear to see that both sides still had a lot of work to do in order to cut out the number of mistakes made. However, with this being the teams’ first chance to work as a unit in a competitive situation, the coaches will be extremely confident that they can start the season strongly over the next few weeks.
Leicester begin their campaign against last year’s National finalists Loughborough Aces next Sunday whilst Lincoln have to wait until November 14th to play Nottingham Outlaws at home.