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The South East Legion, our under 19 squad, faced a tough challenge last weekend. Just one week removed from their first fixtures, they were the only team in Division Two South to have to play back-to-back as they travelled to Swindon to compete alongside the Poole Dolphins, South Wales Warriors and the host Swindon Storm. Not only was it tough to play in back-to-back weeks, but it was also our longest road trip of the season with the bus leaving Maidstone at 7 in the morning!

Poole Dolphins vs South East Legion

Nonetheless, the Legion arrived in Swindon ready to play and improved to 2-1 with a 35-25 win over the Poole Dolphins. An impressive opening drive which mixed in passing plays with the run culminated in QB Nate’s one yard touchdown dive on 4th and goal from the one yard line. Oliver added a two point PAT for an 8-0 lead. After the Dolphins struggled to break down the defense on their first drive, the Legion drove again to Oliver’s first of three rushing touchdowns.

There was a sudden rush of scoring just before half-time. The Dolphins made it 14-7 before a fumble deep in our own territory gave Poole a first and goal opportunity. They scored the touchdown but couldn’t add the extra point. With the game seemingly petering out towards half-time, the Legion added two quick-fire scores. Oliver broke a long run to put the Legion in scoring position before he punched in from 12 yards out. Then an unfortunate miscue from the Dolphins on the stroke of half-time enabled the Legion to further pad their lead. When the Poole QB didn’t take a knee, defensive terror Sol dashed in to strip the ball and was the only player on the field to play to the whistle. It gave the Legion first and goal at the Poole four yard line and Nate dove in for the score. At half-time it was 28-13 to the Legion.

In the second half, Poole fought back. They scored on their first drive of the second half and showed some stiff resistance to the Legion offense. But then, once again, turnovers proved decisive. Lineman Lucas, making the long journey back from university for the weekend, scooped up a fumble and rumbled to the Poole five yard line. From there, Oliver was able to add his third and final TD of the day.

Again the Dolphins fought hard and pulled a touchdown back to make it 35-25. But late in the game, with the Poole QB under pressure from the Legion’s strong defensive line, led by Eathan, Alex, Sadiq and Lucas rotating in and out to stay fresh, the Legion clung on for the win.

Swindon Storm vs South East Legion

Having played two games last week, made a long road trip and then played a tough game against Swindon, the Legion could have been excused for feeling exhausted as they lined up to play Swindon. There was lots of tiredness on display but the players did the whole club proud by fighting all the way to the end of a lop-sided 16-51 defeat.

Swindon got the ball first and found the Legion defense persistent as they had to work hard on a long drive before finally diving over from two yards out. But then disaster struck for our offense. On the first play of our first drive, a Swindon defender dashed between two blockers to rob Oliver of the ball just as he was given it. The defender was already in the endzone and so scored a second quick TD for the Storm. With a two point PAT following, the Storm led 15-0 before our offense had really been able to get started. With Oliver receiving treatment on the sideline, Tom stepped in at RB but we fell a yard short on fourth down and gave the ball back to the Storm. A long pass from halfway from their Great Britain under 17 Quarterback and the extra point made it 22-0 and after our offense again fell a yard or two short on 4th down, the Storm were at it again hitting from distance for a 29-0 lead.

It was at that point that the Legion began a mini-fightback. On the first play of the next drive, Oliver took it the distance 45 yards for the touchdown. A two point extra point play made it 29-8. On the Storm’s first play of the next drive, Luan sacked their QB from the blindside to notch a safety and make it 29-10. Then with the ball back, the introduction of Sadiq into the backfield gave Swindon something else to worry about as the two minute warning sounded. Olly ran in his second touchdown from 11 yards out but the extra point fell short as we cut the lead to 13.

Unfortunately the momentum swung again on the final play of the first half. With just four seconds on the clock, Swindon took a deep shot and it paid off. The speedy receiver’s catch and run made it 37-16 at the half and momentum was back with the Storm.

The second half began well on defense. Our Great Britain cornerback Sam picked off two passes to give the offense opportunities but they found it tough going with multiple receivers carrying injuries. Options were limited for QB Nate in the passing game and two interceptions followed in relatively quick succession. A good run from the Swindon RB, making several tacklers miss, made it 45-16 and there was no way back for the Legion. A final play interception of Nate, his third of the game, was run back for a touchdown and the final 51-16 score.

Having won two and lost two, and as the only team to have played four games, the Legion now sit third in the table behind Wembley and South Wales who have both won their opening two fixtures. Swindon and Oxford have both won one and lost one while Poole and Berkshire are still searching for their opening wins. Everyone now gets a few weeks’ break to train and recuperate before the season resumes at the end of May in Oxford, where the Legion will face a tough test against the unbeaten Stallions and the Saints, who beat them last weekend.

Player awards

The other games

Swindon Storm vs South Wales Warriors

Poole Dolphins vs South Wales Warriors