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Our under 14 squad, the Kent Phoenix Inferno, travelled to St James High School Barnet on Saturday for Game Day Two of the YFFL 2026 season. Raring to go after Game Day One’s loss and tie, all eight Inferno players were hungry for a win. We faced tough opposition on the day in the form of the London Warriors, the London Blitz and the hosts, London XL Performance. While we didn’t get any wins, the under 14s played their hearts out and scored encouraging numbers of points on offense to give hope for the future.

Kent Phoenix Inferno vs London Warriors

First up at the very start of the day was the London Warriors and if we thought it was going to take the players time to get warmed up we were wrong! Just minutes into the game the Phoenix sideline erupted following a lovely interception from Henry. Harry turned the turnover into points with our first touchdown of the day. The Warriors quickly responded with a touchdown of their own. The Warriors then took the lead with a pick six and an extra two points for a 14-6 lead. Phoenix pulled the score closer again with another touchdown from Harry. Just before the half, London scored another touchdown and the extra two points to make it 12-22 after 20 minutes.

Returning after half time and the Phoenix cooked up some magic. A brilliant misdirection play between Preston, Jayden and Charlie led to a lovely 15 yard run. This was quickly followed by a touchdown from small but speedy Jayden, pulling the score to 18-22. Lekan secured a great interception, closely supported by reliable defensive player Oscar and then Harry ran in his third touchdown of the game and we reclaimed the lead.

The Warriors responded again and despite great defensive pressure by Thomas, they scored another touchdown but Henry snagged another brilliant interception to stop them on the two point play. At the two minute warning Jayden made a run for the end zone, reaching the five yard line where Warriors stopped him in his tracks and we couldn’t get it across the line. With a fantastic Warriors catch in the final seconds of the game to seal the win, the final score ended 24-34 to London Warriors.

London Blitz vs Kent Phoenix Inferno

Our second game was against the London Blitz. Spurred on by such a close and competitive start, Phoenix returned to the field and immediately saw Harry in the end zone for touchdown number one. The Blitz leveled the score to make it six apiece. Phoenix scored again, only this time the touchdown went to Thomas with the extra point secured by Harry. Again, London Blitz responded and soon enough scored another touchdown but this time scoring that all important two extra points. 13-14 to the Blitz.

London then took a decisive lead with a pick six and gave them the advantage but Thomas clearly enjoyed the feel of the end zone as he pushed to score another touchdown, once again pulling the score to within a point. Both teams showed brilliance in their defense and Thomas nearly punished Blitz again with an interception catch and run. But it was the Blitz who scored next to keep the score advancing in their favour.

Enter the dynamic scoring action of Harry, Thomas and Jayden for the most frenzied last few minutes of the half. First came a touchdown from Jayden, then a touchdown by Thomas with Harry securing the two extra points for both scores. Not content with this, Thomas nearly smashed another pick six and Harry not only grabbed another touchdown; his fifth of the day so far, but he also grabbed the two extra points, closing the half at 43-26 to Phoenix.

The London Blitz came into the second half on a mission to take back the win and they worked hard to get it. Phoenix showed phenomenal defensive play but Blitz pushed and managed to secure three touchdowns and two extra points to secure the comeback win. With just a touchdown in it at the two minute warning, Blitz sealed the win with another pick six and the two extra points to take the win at 43-56.

Kent Phoenix vs London XL Performance

We knew our final game was going to be tough. London XL Performance had already dominated the day with wins over London Warriors (14-58) and London Blitz (60-0) so we knew we’d need to give the game our all. Straight off the whistle XL took the lead 0-8. Another two touchdowns quickly ran the score to 0-22 but some strength and speed from Lekan put some Phoenix points on the board. XL pushed past another touchdown to bring the make the score at the half 6-28.

Phoenix showed amazing grit, resilience and above all team spirit but they just couldn’t hold off XLs outstanding long, high throws going straight into the endzone. By the final minutes we had most Phoenix players playing both sides of the ball to try and get something past the XL defense. XL declined the referee and sideline officials’ request to bring in the mercy rule so ultimately we had to fight on to the very end. XL Performance took the final score 6-63.

By the end of a very sunny day Phoenix bodies were exhausted and broken, but spirits were high. Coach Luke commended every single player on a strong day of football and said whilst we have things to learn from the day we also have so much to be proud of. Scores in all three games would have been higher had it not been for our strength in defense and scoring a total of 73 points over three games has got to be an Inferno record!

Whilst we chase that elusive first win that feels so close, we also know we are growing as a team with every game together and that when that win comes, it’s going to feel so much more sweet for the way it’s been earned.

Our u14s Inferno as well as our u11s Fire & Flames squads will be back in BAFA YFFL action on Saturday 2nd May.