Match Report: Hertfordshire Cheetahs at Solent Thrashers 14th April 2024
- Mike Woolnough
- Apr 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Premiership South Week 1
With the opening day of the BAFA National Leagues last weekend, Inside Britball attended an exciting match-up from the Premiership South in the Solent Thrashers against Hertfordshire Cheetahs.
Ahead of the game, newly promoted Hertfordshire Cheetahs will have been keen to hit the ground running, make a statement from the get-go, and show that they can be a competitive team in the Premiership. Similarly, the Solent Thrashers will be looking to improve upon their 3 – 7 season last year that saw them finish second from bottom.
With both teams making changes at the helm, all eyes will be on how the new head coaches impact their respective teams this season and this match-up was the perfect place to look for an early indication.
Coach Dan McMillen of the Solent Thrashers takes on the role with previous head coach experience at the Southampton Solent University RedHawks for several seasons. Speaking before the game Coach Dan stated that “the team have set their boundaries and expectations and establish a high level of engagement within the team. They have set their foundations, and the building blocks are in place to be competitive through the season”.
Coach Rich Moult has been with the Cheetahs since 2016 initially coaching the u19 team. Last season he moved to the adult team as QB coach and Assistant OC. Coach Rich said, “The team are looking to compete in the Prem. The opening game against Solent would show where they stand against teams in the Premiership”.
The game itself saw some great plays both on offence and defence for both teams that kept the game alive throughout. At the start of the game, Hertfordshire chose to receive the opening kick-off giving their offence the ball first, but unfortunately, the first three drives all ended in punts.
On their second possession, Solent started on their 40-yard line, and with a couple of solid plays found themselves with a 3rd and 19 at the Herts 40, to which Sam Adesanya ran 25 yards securing the first down. The Thrashers got down to the 10-yard line before QB Alex Pacheco was sacked for a loss of 10 yards. On 4th and 16, Will Elgeti kicked a 37-yard field goal for the opening score of the game.
Herts started the next drive on their 49-yard line. Eight plays later they had moved the ball to the Solent 36-yard line. Cornerback Corey Benham intercepted at the 35-yard line and returned the ball for 65 yards and the TD. This was his second touchdown in Adult Contact and his first in the Premiership Division. Will Elgeti kicked the extra point to give Solent a 10 to 0 lead.
The next three drives ended in punts before Solent managed to drive down into the Herts red zone. Strong defence from the Cheetahs led to a 4th and goal from the 4-yard line. Will Elgeti failed to convert the 21-yard field goal. Herts next drive was halted at their 48-yard line as the half expired. The teams headed to the locker room with Solent leading 10 to 0.
Solent received the opening kick-off of the second half. On the first play for Solent, a toss sweep left, Sam Adesanya juggled the ball before securing it and running forward. A solid tackle from the Herts D saw the ball come free and recovered by the Cheetahs.
Starting on the Thrashers’ 34-yard line, it took 8 plays for Hafeez Bisiriyu to punch the ball in from the 1 for the TD. The extra point attempt was blocked by OL Mike Wing using his height and reach on Special Teams to deflect the ball. Solent 10, Herts 6.
On their next possession Herts again scored, this time on a 31-yard TD pass from QB Jacques Vitry to Dan Symons. Herts tried a fake extra point which was intercepted in the endzone by Ryan Nash of the Thrashers. Solent 10, Herts 12.
Into the 4th quarter and after driving to the Solent 23-yard line, facing a 4th and 14 Herts attempted a 36-yard field which again was blocked by the Thrashers D. A three and out for Solent gave the ball back to Herts. A 12-play drive was capped off by Hafeez Bisiriyu scoring on a 4-yard run, assisted by a strong push from teammates. An acrobatic catch by Nick Ford added 2 points. Solent 10, Herts 20.
Solent fought back, converting a 4th and 15 play through a 48-yard pass from Alex Pacheco to Dayle Greenfield who is back playing Wide Receiver after being part of the Thrashers QB squad for several years. Unfortunately for Solent, they then had four incomplete passes to give the ball back to Herts. The Herts offence moved the ball into Solent territory before kneeling out the game.
The foundation of both teams is within their defensive units. Herts’ main threats are Bisiriyu and WR Ben Meyers with other strong players in support. Solent lost their starting QB Bruin White to injury on their 3rd play of the game, but Alex Pacheco showed his capabilities and RB Sam Adesanya and a talented WR group all showed their potential. Both teams will feel they have key areas to work on ahead of the next games and the season ahead.
Solent is next home to London Blitz on 28th April, where both teams will be looking for that first win of the season. Hertfordshire have two weeks off before heading to face the London Warriors.
Final score Solent Thrashers 10 vs 20 Hertfordshire Cheetahs
Key stats
Hertfordshire QB #1 Jacques Vitry - 14 of 22 passes for 121 yards. 1 TD, 1 Int
Hertfordshire RB #34 Hafeez Bisiriyu - 23 carries for 90 yards and 2 TDs