For
more information contact: f.silverio@ymail.com
Or Phone Felipe Silverio (Club President) on 07872514532
National Challenge Trophy Champions Challenge trophy Final: Greenwich Mariners 12 – 0 Stirling Clansmen
October 5, 2009 was the first time the group of young men took the field to begin their 2009-2010 BUAFL campaign. On May 9, 2010 that journey ended. It ended with a goal that every member involved in the organization set out to do. Go undefeated and win a National Final. Goal achieved.
At noon on May 9, under a sunny skyline at Northampton’s Sixfields Stadium the 2009-2010 Greenwich Mariners looked to stay undefeated and win the National Challenge Trophy. After a layoff of nearly seven weeks everyone was eager and excited to get back to playing. The only thing that stood in their way were the Stirling Clansmen.
As Stirling kicked off to the Mariners the nerves and tensions eased of being in their first final in the clubs history. The Mariners received the kick and began the campaign. On their first drive the men in blue marched down the field. Quarterback Bishop Adkins led them with a few early completions. This combined with the hard running of MVP Running back; Junior Davis gave the mariners good field position. Adkins then connected with wide receiver Kenny Bello on a post pattern for a 37 yard TD strike. The mariners missed an extra point and score was 6-0.
The Mariners defence was then called into action. For most of the first quarter, Stirling controlled the ball, continuing to get to the outside on the defence. Relying on team speed and quick adjustments the defence was able to limit the initial damage, forcing Stirling to go to the air. When they did, near the red zone, cornerback Michael Kolawole was able to intercept the ball on the four yard line. The defence holding strong, the Mariners ran out the first quarter.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the ground game of Junior Davis was in full form. In the early part of the second, Davis turned into a work horse. Davis took the team on his shoulders in the second, teamed with a few short catches by Kolawole and Bello. Davis was determined though to be the star of the show. Taking the handoff up the middle Davis broke two tackles and scooted to the outside. Picking up keys blocks downfield from his line and wide receivers, Davis broke another two tackles and finally rumbled into the end zone from 70 yards out. The Mariners decided to go for a two point conversion but were unsuccessful. The scoreline read 12 – 0, Greenwich.
Again, the defence took the field and began to control the game. After the initial series, with adjustments from the sideline, the defence held firm. With big plays coming from Djmal Salim, Garreth John and Benno Hurni-Gossman, the defence was able to pin back the Stirling offense late in the second quarter. The Mariners defence were doing what they had set out to do all season up to this point, keep teams off the scoreboard. The second quarter ended on a Stirling punt that looked like it could go the distance before a Clansman made a super tackle on Kenny Bello. Score still, 12-0, Greenwich.
After 15 minutes of halftime adjustments from the coaching staff and a team talk the Mariners took the field again, just under thirty minutes to go until their goal was achieved. Stirling received the ball to start the second half and eventually punted it back to Greenwich. On this offensive series, it was the offense that took out their lunch pails and went to work.
Combined with a large amount of penalties, quick hitting passes and the run game of Davis, the Mariners kept the ball. Backed up deep in their own end on a third and long, Adkins connected with Davis on a screen pass. Led by his offensive line man of Richard Lasowski, Djmal Salim, Felipe Silverio and a receiving core of Josh Maxwell and others Davis had a wall of blue to run behind. Some nifty footwork, a highlight reel hurdle and subsequent hit, Davis kept his feet turning over and brought with it a first down.
Head Coach Mike Callan said after the game, ‘That was our play of the game. In fact it was probably our play of the year.’
Adkins then scrambled for another first down and the ball remained on the ground in order to keep the clock moving. In a quick, but intense third quarter, the scoreboard still read 12-0, just under fifteen minutes to go.
The fourth quarter opened with quick catches by Nathan Trottman and Stan Horvath to move the Mariners into the red zone. However, after a penalty and a drop down the sideline, the Mariners were unable to punch the ball in the endzone. The fourth quarter was beginning to get a bit nervy and the defence, rested was ready to go.
With six minutes to go, Stirling got the ball and went to a power running formation. Initially it caught the defence off guard and the Clansmen began to rumble toward the endzone. The run game was picking up chunks of yardage and the Mariners defence found their backs pushed against the goaline, with two minutes remaining. Could the shut-out stay intact? Would Stirling be able to score and have enough time to get the ball back to try and score again?
The defence brought out the big boys for a defensive stand. Clogging the middle were defensive lineman, Michael Kikiowo, Lasowski, John, Salim. The Clansmen could not get it up the middle and were stuffed for a loss. On the next play, the running back bounced the run to the outside and was one on one with corner Darren Durup. Durup went low and submarined the back for a touchdown saving tackle. On the next play again the Clansmen decided to bounce it and Durup again made the play. With just over a minute remaining, the ball on the four yard line, the shutout still intact, the Clansmen had one play left.
The running back came off tackle right and pushed for the goaline. A swarm of blue shirts, led by Eks Sanni-Thomas met the Clansmen back at the one. Denied! A huge fourth down stop, shutout still intact, turnover on downs, nearly there.
With a quick dive up the middle by Davis and then a quick screen pass to Bello up the sideline, Coach Callan called for one of his favourite plays in a football game, Victory Offense. Adkins knelt the ball down and the clock clicked away towards zero. Mission accomplished, 11 and 0, National Trophy Champions, the undefeated Greenwich Mariners stood tall.
After the game Coach Callan said, ‘We had an amazing year this year and not that big of a squad and Stirling put us to the test today. Their coaches had them well prepared. Every man on our squad contributed along the way and we would not be able to be here without everyone’s help. I spoke to some of the guys at the beginning of the season and said, let’s have some fun, win some football games and let the chips fall where they may. We did what we wanted to do and it was a year of a lot of firsts at Greenwich. What these guys accomplished this year is great and I’m proud of every one of them.’
Second Round of The Challenge Trophy: Greenwich Mariners 20 – 6 Cardiff Cobras
First Round of The Challenge Trophy: Greenwich Mariners 26 – 6 Brighton Tsunami
Greenwich Mariners 26 – 9 Brighton Tsunami
Greenwich Mariners 28 – UEA Pirates 21
Greenwich Mariners 27 – Essex Blades 0
Greenwich Mariners 34 – Canterbury Chargers 12
Greenwich Mariners 42 – Imperial Immortals 0
Greenwich Mariners 21 – Kent Falcons 6
Greenwich Mariners 34 – ARU Phantoms 0
On Sunday November 29, 2009 the Greenwich Mariners travelled to Chelmsford to take on the ARU Phantoms. The game was played under a surprisingly clear sky as rain poured over the country for most of the previous week.
The Greenwich Mariners were all business on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The offense was lead by their Quarteback, Bishop Adkins. The Greenwich QB lead the offense from the first kickoff. The first quarter saw the offense tack up two scores. The first was a 70-yard touchdown reception by Kenny Bello (#82) and that was followed up by a 4-yard touchdown run by Bishop himself. In the second quarter, Bello added another touchdown when him and Adkins hooked up on a 30-yard TD strike. Bello also added the two point conversion on a 3-yard run.
The second half picked up where the first half left off. Bishop threw a 40-yard strike to Nathan Trottman (#89) for his third touchdown through the air and added the two point conversion to Kevin Yiminyi. The final score was added in the fourth quarter after Greenwich had been backed up due to penalty yardage. For his final touchdown throw of the day Adkins connected with Michael Kolawole (#81) for an 84-yard touchdown.
The defense had its part to play in the game as well. With ARU unable to move the football through the air, it was up to the front eight to do their job. As the defense worked hard through the day, they were lead by the work of the front four lineman. They were lead by Djmal Salim (14 tackles) and Gareth John (7 tackles). ARU barely found its way close to the endzone until the final drive. At this point, great play from Ekow Sanni-Thomas and Felipe Silverio lead to a huge goal line stop.
‘It was a thorough game from all of our players. We played great defense and executed on offense,’ Head Coach Mike Callan said. ‘We’ve added another win and now we move on.’
Offensive MVP: Kenny Bello – 6 receptions – 141 yds- 2 TDs, 2 rushes – 11 yds -2pt Conversion
Defensive MVP: Djamal Salim – 14 tackles
Overall MVP: Bishop Adkins 11-22-324yds-4tds; 2 rush – 2 yds - TD
Greenwich Mariners 20 – Hertfordshire Hurricanes 19
The 2009-10 Greenwich Mariners campaign finally took to the field against the very same opponent that ended the 2008-09 season. Hertfordshire has had the Mariners number in every matchup since the Mariners were brought into the league in 2005-06. Every game has ended in favour of the men in green.
As rain belted down no more than sixty minutes before kick-off, this game looked destined for a hard battle in the driving rain. However, just as the game was about to kick-off, the rains cleared and it became a lovely afternoon for football under a sunny sky and crisp autumn air.
The Mariners started with the ball and began the season under the guidance of Quarterback Bishop Adkins. The drive started off well with (Junior) Alwyn Davis opening up the year on the ground for a twelve yard gain. The drive continued, but on a third and medium the drive stalled after a quick gain to rookie receiver Stanislav Horvath. Greenwich was forced to punt and Herts started from there.
As the defence took the field it was a time to prove themselves. After the loss of several key defensive players from the previous season, the Mariners defence was hungry and ready to show what they had to offer. Lead throughout the day by a core of defensive players, such as, Djamal Salim (DT), Felipe Silverio (MLB) and Kenny Bello (DB), the defence started out strong. With ferocious gang tackling and quickness, the defence was able to hold and force a punt. The season now was truly underway.
The following Mariners possession resulted in a fumble and gave the Hurricanes great field position. A few plays later the 0-0 deadlock was broken in favour of the visitors. A post over the middle to a well covered receiver resulted in the first touchdown of the game. The extra point was converted and the Hurricanes led 7-0.
In a familiar position as previous years, the Mariners didn’t flinch. There was a difference among the young men on the sideline and after the kickoff return was called back for holding, the Greenwich Offense went to work through the air. A connection from Bishop to wide receiver Kenny Bello on a slant pattern brought the Mariners into the Canes half of the field. From there Greenwich could sense getting into the end zone. Bishop then connected with receiver Michael Kolawole up the seam for a 25 yard strike that saw Kolawole beat the coverage and break a tackle to scramble into the end zone. Bello then added the extra point and as the first quarter drew to a close it was a 7-7 deadlock.
The second quarter was another tight seesaw battle. Greenwich was out to prove that they could hang with Hertfordshire and battle the run game that had exposed its previous opponents. With an intense swarming and blitzing defence, the Mariners forced the Canes to throw. And it was with defence that the second score came.
As Hertfordshire’s quarterback threw over the middle, deep in their own territory, the ball sailed on him and into the arms of Bello. Bello immediately took off for the pylon and led by a blue wall was able to cross the goaline for the Mariners second score. He added the extra point and the lead was 14-7, advantage Greenwich.
Just as the Mariners were not fazed by going behind, the Canes showed their pedigree and marched right back down the field. Deep inside Greenwich territory it was again through the air that Canes connected on a quick slant and added another six points. However, the extra point was blocked by Djamal Salim and the score stayed 14-13 going into halftime.
With fifteen minutes with their coaching staffs, adjustments were made and the third quarter was a tense and touchy stalemate. It inevitably brought up an excellent fourth quarter.
With both teams desperate to get the next score it was a string of plays that set the tone for the fourth quarter. Greenwich had a 3rd and long in which Adkins scrambled to find Kolawole just past the sticks to set up a first and goal inside the ten. However, penalties began to ravage Greenwich. With two false start penalties and a holding wiping out a Nathan Tottman touchdown, the Mariners were faced with a third and goal from the 29. As the Mariners emptied the backfield, Adkins hit Bello again over the middle for a fantastic touchdown. However, Bello could not make it a perfect 3 for 3 and the extra point was blocked. The score stood at 20-13
Again behind the eight ball, the Canes responded. From just inside midfield the Herts quarterback connected with a receiver down the left sideline for his third touchdown on the day through the air. The score was now 20-19. Down one, Herts went for two, but a fumbled exchange between centre and quarterback meant the score stayed as it was with ten minutes remaining.
As Greenwich tried to keep the clock moving it was time to put the ball repeatedly in Junior Davis’s hands. The young running back turned his legs over and over again, behind an offensive line that had held strong all day. With the clock moving and a first down that would ice the game, Adkins threw and untimely interception that allowed the Herts offense to take over deep in the Mariners territory.
With the game in the balance and two minutes to go, the young and revamped Mariners defence took charge. Withstanding the running game repeatedly all day, the defence forced Herts again into a third and long and into a passing situation. On third down the secondary batted a pass down and set up what could be the last play of the game for Herts. On fourth and long the Canes needed to throw. Down by one with a minute to go and this possibly being the last play of the game, the Canes threw over the middle. The ball fell innocently to the turf.
As the offense took the field, the Greenwich players and sideline knew they were finally in a position to exhale. As Adkins took a knee to seal the win, Greenwich had done something that they have never done before. For the first time in the history of the Greenwich Mariners, they defeated the Hertfordshire Hurricanes.
Head Coach Michael Callan said after the game, ‘’Herts is a great programme that you try and model yourself after and get to their level. They are one of the programmes that have set the benchmark. This is an absolutely fantastic win for the programme. I am excited for all of the young men that left everything they had on the field here today and that believed it was possible through hard work and practice.’’
Offensive MVP: Bishop Adkins: 9-13, 112 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Defensive MVP: Djamal Salim: 9 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Block
Game MVP: Kenny Bello: 3 Receptions, 67 yds, TD; 3 Tackles, 1 Pas Def, 1 INT, TD; 2/3 XP
Game 1: Mariners 27 @ 0 Essex Blades
Game 2: Hertfordshire Hurricanes 19 @ 20 Mariners22/11/2009 13:00:00
Game 3: Mariners 34 @ 0 ARU Phantoms 29/11/2009 12:00:00
Game 4: Kent Falcons 6 @ 21 Mariners 06/12/2009 13:00:00
Game 5: Imperial Immortals 0 @ 42 Mariners 13/12/2009 13:00:00
Game 6: Mariners 34 @ 12 Canterbury Chargers 31/01/2010 13:00:00
Game 7: Mariners 28 @ 21 UEA Pirates 14/02/2010 13:00:00
Game 8: Brighton Tsunami @ Mariners 28/02/2010 13:00:00
New commitee for 2009/2010: Felipe Silverio(President), Micheal Warne and Richard Lasowski
The 2008-09 full regular
season results are shown below:
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