Congratulations to the Swindon Storm who were crowned Division Two Champions at the championship tournament in Oxford last weekend.

Our own under 19 squad, the South East Legion, competed in Division Two this season but unfortunately did not make the top four which would have enabled them to advance to this championship tournament. The South Wales Warriors finished the regular season with the best record, while Swindon, the Oxford Saints and the Poole Dolphins rounded out the top four and were invited to the finals. Unfortunately Poole had to withdraw which left the other three teams competing in a round-robin tournament for the championship.

Swindon Storm vs South Wales Warriors

On paper, the first game of the day appeared to be the decider. Swindon faced South Wales as the two teams with the best records and both of whom had beaten Oxford during the regular season. Swindon scored first but then disaster struck for the Warriors. One of their most significant players of the season was injured early in the Warriors’ drive and had to leave the game and, indeed, the tournament. The Warriors never recovered. The Storm led 15-0 at half-time but pulled away in the second half.

On the first drive of the second half, the Storm focussed on the running game with the rain continuing to pour down and moved downfield to set up the QB’s short touchdown run. South Wales then responded and briefly threatended a comeback when a 30 yard touchdown run put them back in the game at 22-6 and in need of a stop to turn the tide.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t get one. The Storm ran in another TD, this time from 20 yards out, and with the Warriors chasing the game and forced to throw, Swindon sealed the win. An interception on the first play of the Warriors’ next drive gave Swindon goal to go and they converted for a 36-6 lead. Then another interception was run back all the way for a touchdown and the final score of 43-6.

It meant that Swindon just needed to beat Oxford in the next game to seal the title, meanwhile South Wales were hoping Oxford might do them a favour.

Oxford Saints vs Swindon Storm

Early in the game it looked like Swindon was in trouble. They took the ball first but backed up near their own goal-line, their QB threw the ball away under heavy pressure but only into the waiting arms of an Oxford defensive back. He walked into the endzone and the Point After made it 7-0 to the Saints.

Both teams then were unable to move the ball against strong defensive efforts as they exchanged drives and sought some purchase in the game but neither team was able to get a First Down. Swindon then took over again and on 1st Down at their own 5, one of their stable of talented runningbacks took the ball and scampered 45 yards for the touchdown. Although the Point After was stopped, Swindon snatched the lead by stopping Oxford in their own endzone for a safety. However Oxford then put Swindon on the back foot again. When the Storm took over with the chance to push ahead, the Saints stopped Swindon in their own endzone for a safety of their own to regain the lead 9-8.

Just before half-time Swindon re-gained a lead they were never to relinquish. A deep pass completion set up a short touchdown run and a 15-9 half-time lead.

With the rain getting worse after half-time, the Storm showed their offensive flexibility. Their passing attack had been excellent all year long, but with throwing and catching proving difficult in the rain, Swindon instead relied on the ground game. A long run on 1st down put Swindon in position for a 10 yard touchdown run and then another safety on Oxford’s next drive made it 24-9.

Another long TD run on 1st Down from their own five pushed it to 30-9 and although both teams then exchanged touchdown scores as the game reached the two minute warning, the Storm had done enough to win the game and seal their championship.

South Wales Warriors vs Oxford Saints

Because of the first two results, the final game was academic but a chance to try and finish second and win the silver medal. Still hindered by the injury to one of their star players and perhaps struggling with the disappointment of their loss to Swindon, the Warriors were not at their best. It certainly gave the Oxford Saints a chance they were not going to pass up as they ran out 22-6 winners to claim second place.

Photographs on this page and in the feature image for the Homepage taken by Sam Allard Photography.