Match Report: Bournemouth Bobcats vs Hereford Stampede 12th May 2024

Photo: Steve Chick Photography

Going into Sunday’s game between the Bournemouth Bobcats and the Hereford Stampede both teams were searching for their first victory of the season. The way the division was shaping this seemed like an important game in the relegation battle.

Hereford joined the league as a full member in 2021 following their progress through the associate process. They went 6-2 in their first season in Division 2. They started their 2023 campaign at 3-1 when coach Leigh Jones stepped into the Head coach role and went undefeated to finish the season 7-1. Following the restructures in the off-season, they found themselves promoted to Division 1 and placed in the SFC 1 West.

Hereford won the toss and deferred. Bournemouth received the opening kick-off and Ethan Squibb caught the ball at the goal line and returned it to the Bobcats’ 24-yard line. 2 runs and an incomplete pass brought up a 4th and 1 on the Bobcats’ 33 and they elected to punt.

Hereford had a productive first drive with runs by Blaine Smith and a 10-yard completion from Hector Kidwell to Joe Griffiths got them to the 10-yard line. However, they faulted, a false start and two incomplete passes saw the kicking unit attempt a 31-yard field goal attempt. Hugh Osborne-Brookes’ kick was hard but low and blocked by the Bobcats’ defence.

Taking over on their own 21, the Bobcats moved the ball well with strong runs by Davy Baker and a 14-yard catch by Jason Griffith before the drive stalled at the Stampede 34-yard line. A well-placed punt by Will Brooks pinned the Stampede offence back on their 9-yard line. Penalties and muffed snaps saw them get backed up to their half-yard line before another muffed snap went out of the back of the endzone to give the Bobcats a 2-point safety.

A good free kick from Hereford pushed the Bobcats back to their 23-yard line. Bournemouth had their own penalty issues but Quarterback Sam Scott put the team on his back by scrambling out towards the sideline, getting off the pass close to the sideline, for Chris Hobbs to catch the 17-yard completion. Following another 19-yard reception to Griffith, the Bobcats sent their kicking team out on a 4th and 8 for a 40-yard field goal by Sonny Burbidge. Unfortunately, the snap wasn’t secured and following a short scramble, there was a turnover on downs.

Photo: Steve Chick Photography

The Bobcats got the ball back two plays later after Max Cheater recovered a Hereford fumble at the 22-yard line. Four plays later Bournemouth were lined up in a wild-cat formation with David Isaacs at QB on the 7-yard line and it was his run into the endzone that brought the score to 8-0 following a blocked extra point.

Hereford responded immediately with a 30-yard return to midfield by Keith Piper which was followed by a short completion for Hector Kidwell to JJ Spencer on a short crossing pattern and then down the sideline for a touchdown. A failed 2-point conversion left the score 8-6 to Bournemouth.

Sam Scott was picked off on the first play of the next drive by Ethan Ford of the Stampede. Their drive stalled following a 10-yard sack by Alex Dearman and there was little other action of note for the rest of the half which finished 8-6 to Bournemouth.

The first possessions of the second half saw an exchange of punts. On Bournemouth’s second punt, their gunner and the Stampede covering defender got tangled up and both fell to the ground (no flags were thrown). As the Stampede player was starting to get to his feet the ball came down and struck him on his helmet and was scooped up by the covering Bobcats at the 23-yard line. 4 plays later from the 1, James Gosling scored his first career touchdown. Sonny Burbidge kicked the extra point to make it 15-6 for the Bobcats.

Hereford looked to be regaining some momentum with a drive down to the Bobcats’ 28-yard line. A 4th down incompletion gave the ball back to the home side. Two rushing plays from rookie running back Abdulsalam Suleiman was followed by a 27-yard reception for his first senior touchdown. The scoreboard read 22-6 to Bournemouth following Sonny Burbidge adding the extra point.

Following a penalty, the Bobcats kicked off from the halfway line. Sonny Burbidge angled the kick towards the Hereford sideline. The ball looked to be bouncing out of bounds and so was not fielded by Hereford. Alex Dearman from the gunner position was able to gather up the loose ball at the Hereford 21. Strong running by Ben Tinsdale moved the ball down to the 10-yard line where he then ran in for the touchdown. Sonny Burnidge kicked his third extra point to close out the scoring for the game and the game ended Bournemouth 29, Hereford 6.

The reverse fixture is up next for both of these teams on the 26th of May when Bobcats travel to Hereford.

Stats

Bournemouth Bobcats

Sam Scott - 8 of 23 passes for 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Abdulsalam Suleiman - 5 carries for 19 yards, 2 catches for 42 yards, 1 TD

Ben Tinsdale - 6 carries for 39 yards, 1 TD

Hereford Stampede

Hector Kidwell - 6 of 18 passes for 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT