Match report
From the club's own report · By Matt Coppinger
QB Alex Cameron fired another two TD strikes to down the Loughborough Aces 21-6 on Sunday. The Aces were the top ranked team in the country despite the Hurricanes being current champions. The team responded to the Aces strong challenge with firstly a 3 yard plunge from FB Asy Ho and then 2 catches from rookie TE Mike Butler and WR Ben Smith. Smith now leads in scoring with 3 TD receptions and an two pointer. Herts must surely now be favourites for the College Bowl title.
Both teams were playing with weakened sides. Loughborough were missing defensive captain and MLB Paul Sherratt and as were Herts with Mark King. Yet, this was no excuse for either side as from the kickoff the biggest hits around the league started to fly. Tony 'The Hitman' Groden set the tempo with some punishing hits on the Aces RB Conner Neill. Aces LB Leon 'Primetime' Cordingley stoodout on Aces defense but hobbled off in the 3rd Quarter. Groden stepped up in the 1st to block a punt which was recovered by veteran DL Pete Hogben. This set up Ho's bulldozing run and gave Herts a 6-0 lead.
The Aces soon responded and led by GB Bulldogs QB Steve Gatenby they moved the ball confidently down to the Herts 1 yard line. The Force 12 would not give in. In possibly the play of the season Tony Groden intercepted a Gatenby pass on his own 3 yard line and returned it 91 yards to the Aces 6 yard line. This once again set up the go ahead TD as Cameron found Ben Smith all alone in the back of the endzone. Richard Savage kicked the XP.
A mix of stunts, formations and blitzes kept the Loughborough offense at bay. Neil White was solid as defensive captain ably helped by great play from the defensive line. Loughborough went to the air and Andrew Ward got his first pick of the year with a one handed diving interception. This set up Herts next drive as FB's Ho and Ostrega thundered through the middle of the Aces defense. Mixed with the speed of Cornibert the offense moved the ball close to the Aces goalline.
Once again the the offensive line had seemed to find their way with some excellent blocks down field. Cameron completed the drive with a superb pass over the middle to rookie TE Butler who ran in to pay dirt. The score capped an excellent offensive performance from Butler who proved he can catch as well as block. The former decathlete was rewarded with the offensive MVP award.
Groden's play in the heart of the defense gave him yet another MVP performance. Nothing however could beat the effort put in by Huw 'The Stallion' Stacey. He was forced to play both ways on the offensive and defensive lines. He was rewarded with the game MVP. The Canes now face division rivals Surrey who sit at the top of the division after Herts 0-0 tie with UEA. The Stingers have started in a surprisingly high scoring way and this will prove to be another hard test for the Hurricanes.