Match report
From the club's own report · By Surjinder Johal
For the second year running the Hertfordshire Hurricanes are BCAFL national champions, defeating the Loughborough Aces 7-3 in a close fought often brutal encounter. The game's only TD came from running back Asy 'The Truck' Ho in the third quarter. The Aces replied in the fourth with a Mark Ward field goal.
At the beginning of the year these two teams were clearly most people's favourites to advance to the college bowl. In truth it was not much of a prediction since most experienced observers know that in any given year there will only be a small number of serious candidates for the national championship.
The game was played in often driving rain which turned Saffron Lane's hallowed turf into something akin to a sponge. The wet conditions and (I'm told) the poor quality of the balls resulted in an error ridden game marred by fumbles and interceptions. There was offense for sure but neither team made one think it was going to be a high scoring thriller. A low scoring thriller though it certainly was. Towards the end neither team seemed as though it wanted to keep hold of the ball.
The Hurricanes had targetted Aces QB Steve Gatenby as the man to stop and indeed it was Gatenby who came out strong hitting on a number of early completions. However the Aces stalled. A pattern was set. A number of times in the first half the Aces were able to move the ball downfield but not able to convert. By the second quarter the Hurrucanes fearsome defensive line was beginning to get to Gatenby and it became clear that the GB Bulldogs quarterback was in for a punishing day. Three fumbles and two interceptions as well as seven sacks and numerous knock downs made it a day to forget. Many of these came deep into Hurricanes territory when the Aces looked likely to score, particularly in the first half.
On the other side of the ball the Hurricanes offense too struggled early on. Quarterback Alex Cameron was strangely out of synch with his receivers. Four dropped balls, two caught out of bounds (one of which was clearly in by the way) and some just sub standard passes disrupted the passing game. This was an area where the Canes felt they would be able to take more advantage. On the ground the Canes were badly hampered by the lack of a fit and experienced running back. Daniel Cornibert was out and both Dawid Ostrega and Asy Ho were carrying injuries. In any case the jumbo backfield was never going to be a major outside threat. In the first half the excellent play of the Aces front seven meant it was pretty much a stalemate.
At half time the coaching staff of the Hurricanes decided that with the conditions and personnel, it would be wise to come out in a power running formation. The decision paid huge dividends. Time after time Ostrega was able to pound for yards right at the heart of the Aces defense, sprung by the devastating blocks by Ho, tight end Mike Butler and linemen Huw Stacey, Pete Hogben and Graham Anderson. All this despite playing in almost crippling pain from damage to his ankle ligaments on BOTH sides of the ankle. The game winning drive was all about power football. Ostrega, Ostrega, Ostrega. Ho, Ho, Ho. It was fitting that the winning touchdown should be scored by Asy Ho. Running off tackle right he bounced the play outside and powered over DBs to get into the end zone. The three year veteran and former team president was instrumental in turning the Hurricanes round from an average team into double champions. Playing in possibly his last game 'The Truck' has never made a bigger play.
Late in the game the Aces again drove downfield and came to a crucial fourth down in Hurricanes territory. They went for the field goal (which they made) and not the TD, and also not for the onside kick. As it was they did get the ball back but by now the country's best defense was unstoppable. Defensive tackle Roli Savvaris has been much criticised by his coaching staff for his below par performances all year. He always responded with "playoff time is my time". On Sunday he was true to his word as he destroyed the Aces interior line. Seven tackles and three sacks must have made him a contender for MVP. Alongside him brother Abi, in only his fourth ever game (!!) was also oustanding. At end Christian Steward had one of his best games whilst behind Tony Grodin, despite being heavily restricted by a shoulder injury made some devastating hits, particularly one on Gatenby. Linebacker Mark King also had a fine game and safety Andrew Ward was superb.
Although Paul Sherratt was a worthy College Bowl MVP for an outstanding display, it appeared to most observers and certainly to me that the hero of the game was Dawid 'Big Dawg' Ostrega who kept going all day on virtually one leg, pounding at the heart of the Aces defense. 129 yards only tells part of the story. He was the man who made the difference, he was the one most responsible for Hertfordshire's victory, the one without whom there would have been no title. He played hurt when his team needed him the most, when it would have been easy to sit it out. The whole team took heart from his display of courage. At the beginning of the year I challenged him to back up his talking, to play at his own level and not simply be content to be better than the others. On Sunday he did that and more. He showed us the desire and fortitude of a champion. That is my definition of the most valuable player.
