Swansea Titans 38 – 12 Royal Holloway Bears

By Ned Bristow (TheWaterfront)

Swansea Titans brushed aside Royal Holloway Bears to claim a brilliant BUCS American Football Trophy win in Leeds.  The Titans waltzed to the final with resounding victories over Newcastle, Lancashire and Exeter, and went into the match as favourites.

The match started in explosive fashion, as the Titans won the toss and scored early on in the first quarter.  After just two plays, long runs from Marcus Wyatt and Jacob Amadi culminated in the latter touching down before captain Simon George duly converted to make it 8-0.

Refusing to sit back and defend their lead, the Titans added another touchdown before the end of the quarter. A swift power run game saw Amadi in the end zone for his second touchdown of the match.George converted once more, making the score 16-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began in the same mould as the first, as some extravagant trick play between Chris Aldred and George helped Wyatt add a third Titans touchdown of the day. Frankie Pankhurst converted, leaving the half-time score at 24-0.

The Bears looked to fight back in the second half and came close before a pick by Rhodri Jones-Pritchard prevented them. Swansea returned to the front foot, answering Royal Holloway’s questions with more power running and a third Amadi touchdown. The conversion was missed with the score at a comfortable 30-0.

Royal Holloway refused to lie down and came back at the Titans once more, before some great defensive work by George Downs-Wheeler and the influential Amadi to see out the third quarter.

The spirited Bears finally got on the scoresheet at the start of the fourth quarter, but failed to convert. With the game now out of sight, Swansea got the ball back on the attack. Amadi scored his fourth touchdown and brushed himself off to convert, bringing the score to 38-6.

While the Bears scored with the last play of the game, the final score was a dominant 38-12 victory for the Titans. Amadi picked up the Gridiron TV MVP award for his four touchdowns and three sacks.

Simon George commended the hard work of the squad and coached throughout the year, adding that he was pleased with the manner of the victory.

“I wanted a comprehensive victory. No one has been able to stop our offense all year, and we were confident that was not going to change.”

George was named the BUCS MVP, but says the team effort is what pleased him most.

“My university life has revolved around this team. To win for my teammates is what means the most; the accolade is just an extra. This needs to be the start for the Titans. We can improve in every aspect. The Titans need to compete for the Championship title next year. I want the American Football team to be a flagship for the university, as at places like Birmingham and Stirling.”