University of Greenwich Mariners

Game 4: The Big Lasowski pulls the rug from under the Blades

After last years close defeat to Essex, the Mariners went into this game looking for revenge. In what should have been a traditional defensive nail biter, both teams put on an offensive showpiece, with the Mariners winning out 40-26.

4th year TE Rob Stewart (44) scored 2 TDs to lead the Mariners to an emphatic 40-26 win over Essex.

RB Wesley Eversley once again broke 100 yards (16 carries for 120 yards) and scored 4 TDs equalling a Mariners record. Richard Francia threw 2 TDs to TE Rob Stewart with K Ian Jacquet converting on 4 of 6 XPs.

Essex received the ball and were immediately put under pressure, with new LB Jason Brisbane tackling for loss. The Blades opted to quick kick on 3rd down and the Mariners offense went straight to work. Eversley ran in from 23 yards out, the XP was missed. 2 plays later and the Blades returned fire with a long Leo Beckford run, also missing the XP. Greenwich found themselves in further trouble when Essex recovered an errant short kick. 6 plays later Essex took the lead through some tough running. They made the XP making it 13-6.

Eversley wasn't done though and dominating blocking from C Tyrone Griffiths and OT Richard Lasowski led to his 2nd score this time from 30 yards. K Ian Jacquet split the uprights to make it 13-13. After the teams exchanged possessions Essex pounded the ball deep into Mariners territory before taking the lead and the converting the XP. The Greenwich offense continued to click as QB Francia, Eversley and RB Dmitry Pestryakov moved the ball down to the 1 yard line. Eversley claimed his 3rd of the day on the ground, with K Ian Jacquet tying it up 20-20 at the half.

The Mariners coaching staff made adjustments at halftime to shutdown the Essex offense. This seemed to take effect as the Blades went 3 and out. A good return from Crawford and a 17 yard rush from Pestyakov put the Mariners in good field position. QB Francia wasted no time finding TE Rob Stewart for a 23 yard TD strike. Jacquet converted to put the Mariners 27-20 up. The teams again exchanged posessions before a long completion for Essex set them up for the go ahead score - they missed the XP making it 27-26 early in the 4th.

On the ensuing drive Francia ran for 23 yards followed by 8 from RB Regis Bonnet (playing in his last game). Francia then put Greenwich further ahead with another TD strike to Stewart. The 2 point PAT failed leaving the Mariners 33-26 ahead.The teams exchanged turnovers through the air (CB Andre Gles and CB Greg Jordens) before Essex failed on a 4th short attempt. Giving the Mariners good field position, the offense made quick work of it as Eversley celebrated his 4th TD from 16 yards out. Jacquet put the icing on the cake to make it 40-26. Defensive MVP LB Kofi Kumah and LB Brisbane stepped up and claimed a sack each to kill the Blades hopes.

Game MVP went to Wesley Eversley (16 carries 120 yards 4 TDs)
Defensive MVP went to rookie LB Kofi Kumah (4 tackles 1 assist 1 sack)
Offensive MVP went to TE Rob Stewart (2 catches 38 yards 2 TDs)
Line MVP went to C Tyrone Griffiths.
Notable performances:
LB Jason Brisbane (11 tackles 3 assists 1 sack), DB Andre Gles (4 tackles 3 assists,1 PD, 1 INT) and RB Dmitry Pestryakov 7 carries for 58 yards.

Game 3: Mariners sink Pirates

The University of Greenwich Mariners continued their winning ways on Sunday 25th November beating division rivals UEA 14-0.

2nd year QB Richard Francia (15) and Rookie RB Wesley Eversley model the Mariners "Olympian" away kit.

Mariners running backs Paul Crawford and rookie Wesley Eversley each scored running the ball behind a fantastic offensive line performance. Rookie Eversley ran for his third consecutive 100 yard game, he also has a score in each of the games he has played.

The Greenwich defense led the way though with 7 forced fumbles, in which 3 were recovered and defensive standout SS Dion Andrade snared 2 Interceptions. NT Hakky Akinyomi once again terrorised the opposition Centre causing 3 forced fumbles. LB Leon Williams led all tacklers on the day with 9 solos 3 assists, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

The Mariners started strongly shutting down the much vaunted Pirate offense, forcing a turnover. The Mariners quickly marched down field but missed on a FG attempt. This pretty much set the trend for the day, with the Pirates limited to 66 yards total offense and the Mariners missing 3 FG attempts. Late in the first a Richard Francia pass to WR Darren Durup set up good field position and RB Paul Crawford put the Mariners ahead from 6 yards out. K Ian Jacquet converted the extra point.

Andrade returned an interception for a TD early in the 3rd but the play was called back. Given great field position Francia connected with TE Stewart for the go ahead TD only for that to be called back too. Greenwich had to settle for a missed FG attempt. However Greenwich were not to be denied. Setup by Andrade's 2nd interception, Greenwich executed a long 7 play 45 yard drive culminating in RB Eversley taking the ball 12 yards to pay dirt. K Jacquet's PAT was good.

In the 4th Greenwich's run game started to wear down the Pirates Defense with a long 65 yard drive. 2nd year back Dmitry Pestryakov thought he had scored his 1st career TD, but once again the TD was called back. UEA rallied but another forced and recovered fumble from the Mariners defense sealed the game. The Mariners had 283 total yards on the day and only 1 turnover.

Game MVP went to the entire defense for a great team performance
Defensive MVP went to Captain and LB Leon Williams
Offensive MVP went to the Offensive Line.
Notable performances:
SS Dion Andrade (2 INTs, a fumble recovery and several long kick, punt and INT returns), rookie LB Kofi Kumah (4 tackles 1 assist, 1 sack) and RB Pestryakov on a convincing 6 carries for 40 yards.

Game 2: Mariners slay Phantom menace

On the 18th of November the Greenwich Mariners travelled to Cambridge to take on the ARU Phantoms.

Defensive Captain Greg Jordens had an outstanding game with 9 solo tackles and 3 assists.

Under testing conditions both teams relied heavily on the ground game. The Mariners jumped out to an early 20-0 lead in the 1st quarter. With much of the action on the ground Paul Crawford had two rushing touchdowns and Wesley Eversley had 109 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.

Defense and special teams played their part as well. The defense started the game forcing two turnovers on two plays. Dion Andrade returned a punt for a score and nearly took a fumble recovery the distance as well. In total, the defense forced six turnovers; five fumbles and one interception.

Greg Jordens lead the defense with nine solo tackles and three assisted. He added three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. At the end of the day, when the final whistle blew, Greenwich ended on top 27-6. This moves the Mariners to 1-1 on the season. Greenwich takes on UEA next week in Norwich.

Game 1: Hurricanes draw first blood

Greenwich kicked off their 2007 campaign against division rivals Hertfordshire in a hard hitting 22-11 defeat.

Captains Leon Williams (51) and Greg Jordens (29) chase Herts RB Affoury who ran for 252yds and 2 TDs on the day.

The Mariners started well with new QB Richard Francia completing to TE Rob Stewart (3 catches for 79 yards) before rookie RB Wesley Eversley (27 carries for 103 yards 1TD) broke free to move the chains. Penalties killed the drive though and soon Herts got to work. Behind the running of RB Issam Affoury Herts marched downfield but were stopped after rookie NT Hakky Abinyomi (1 tackle 4 forced fumbles) forced a fumble with LB Leon Williams recovering. Greenwich couldn’t capitalise on the momentum and a fluffed punt gave Herts great field position. The Hurricanes made it count and opened their account with an Issam Affoury TD run.

The Mariners responded with a 59 yard completion from Francia to Stewart, followed by some tough running by Eversley to get the ball down to the Herts 1 yard line. The Hurricanes made a solid goal line stand to keep the Mariners out. Greenwich’s defense applied the necessary pressure with leading tackler Sam Booton Jones (5 tackles 1 assist, 1 sack, 1 safety, 1 forced fumble and a fumble recovery) tackling Affoury in the endzone for a safety. Herts 6 Greenwich 2.

After a missed Greenwich field goal attempt Herts marched once again downfield behind the running of Affoury to score. Despite losing their starting QB, the Mariners responded with Tembo and Eversley running the football before K Ian Jacquet confidently booted a 52 yard field goal to put Greenwich within one score. 12-5 at half time.

The Mariners seemed to backfire in the 3rd quarter and the Hurricanes took advantage. Affoury broke off several long runs to keep the Hurricanes drives alive. A long catch by Herts wideout Tom Brennan setup Affoury for his 3rd of the day. The teams exchanged punts before Herts kicked a field goal of their own at the end of the 3rd quarter. Greenwich kept up the hard work with QB Francia running for a 15 yard gain in the 4th. Eversley continued to work tirelessly and was rewarded with his first ever TD from 3 yards out. Herts killed the clock with a long drive before having a FG blocked by NT Akinyomi.

Mariners Game MVP was Wesley Eversley running for 103 yards off of 27 carries in his first ever game. NT Hakky Abinyomi and QB Richard Francia were defensive and offensive MVP’s respectively. The Mariners look to 2nd February 2008 to take revenge at home at Crystal Palace Stadium.