Hurricanes going to College Bowl XVIII
The University of Hertfordshire Hurricanes beat the Birmingham Lions 32-20 in a tense game of football in Birmingham to win the Southern Conference Final. This booked the Hurricanes their fifth visit to the College Bowl in seven years.
In blustery conditions, the two perfect records in the south went head to head in the Southern Conference Final. Tom Scott opened the scoring for the Hurricanes sponsored by Shark Energy Drink on a 6yd TD catch after a physical drive lead by the offensive line and RBs Andy Cochrane and David Hartley. The Lions then responded with a well constructed drive of their own culminating in a Dave Winter catch for the score. Winter then converted his own touchdown with the PAT.
In what proved to be a seesaw battle all day, the Hurricanes responded with another long drive downfield resulting in a Junior Price TD, with Rob Kelly tacking on the PAT. The Hurricanes defence facing their toughest challenge all year raised their entire game to a new level to stop the potent Lions offence. After some great pressure from the Hertfordshire Defense, pinning the Lions in their own half, Adam Camp recovered a fumble in the endzone for the TD. Rob Kelly tacked on the PAT giving the Hurricanes a vital 2 score cushion.
However, the Lions responded with a well orchestrated drive to reduce the deficit to 7 points with a TD again through Winter on a 9yd run from FB Jay Alexander. The second half saw the Lions offence move the ball downfield straight from the kick-off due to some strong running from QB Stuart Ennis and Alexander. Winter ensured the good work didn't go to waste scoring from 15 yards and then again converting his own score with the PAT. The Canes defence then stepped up the intensity level to shut down the Birmingham offence and provide the offence with excellent field position. Camp converted a mammoth drive from the Hurricanes, eating time off the clock and moving the ball through power running and strong blocking, with his second TD of the day. Hartley capped a strong personal performance at RB with a 5 yard TD to seal victory for the Canes.
After last years defeat at the hands of the Stirling Clansmen the Hurricanes are determined to take the trophy this year. They will face the Staffordshire Stallions on Sunday 21st of March at the Dewsbury Rams stadium.