Pride Of Lions Is Key To Victory

It had been a few months since their last competitive outing, and to say they were amped and ready for battle was an understatement. It was evident during the pre-game that the adrenaline was flowing, the Lions were on the prowl and the expectation, following their success in the European Championships in 2015, was that they would defeat their Spanish guests and further enhance their growing reputation as the mandatory challengers to Finland’s European crown. They had put in the hard work in preparation, now they needed to deliver on coach Jim Messenger’s game plan.

Spain’s opening kick-off was fielded by Steph De-Haven, who had a big return called back for a penalty, but it didn’t take long for the scoreboard to be lit up. A forty-yard connection between QB Jo Kilby and wide-out Hannah Pye secured a first down deep in Spanish territory, from where, lightning fast running back Ruth Matta torched the defence on a jet sweep to find the endzone and deliver the go-ahead score for the Lions. The PAT was good, 7-0 GB.

Spain looked to get themselves back to into the game, but weren’t prepared for the Lions ferocious defence. On their first snap, linebacker Phoebe Schecter burst through like a heat seeking missile to deliver a big hit on the QB causing a fumble, which was recovered by GB on the Spanish 46 yard line, leaving the Lions poised for another attack. The Kilby to Matta connection was re-established, this time on a screen pass, which Matta gleefully took to the house! Another successful PAT, and just like that, it was 14-0.

Spain looked shell-shocked and struggled to get any sort of momentum going. They did however, get a first down off the back of a roughing the passer penalty, courtesy of a rampant Lions defence. Three downs later though, they were forced to punt, but it was blocked by the omnipresent Schecter. Kilby lined up the offence on the Spanish 18 yard line and it looked like the scoring onslaught would continue, but some stout defending led to Garcia picking of Kilby to deny the Lions and the first quarter ended with a note of positivity for the Spanish.

As the second quarter got under way you’d have thought the Lions just had to keep executing to add to their lead, the problem was, they got a little over eager and due to a succession of miscues and penalties, they were unable to secure any further points. Matta did make it into the endzone, but it was called back for a penalty. Spain, on the other hand, were starting to find their feet. They drove down the field and showed spirit going for it on fourth down. They even looked like they were going to score on a breakaway run, but once more Schecter’s excellent pursuit skills saved the day. The Lions were pressing as the clock ticked down towards the half, but following another positive run by Matta, the ensuing attempted pass fell incomplete, and the first half was over. The question going into the third quarter would be, could GB get back in their groove, or would Spain’s improving defence give them a chance to make a comeback?

It didn’t take long for us to get our answer. Spain had the opening possession but had to punt. Kilby fed the ball to Matta, she burst around the edge and 70 yards later she was in the endzone! The PAT was good and the Lions had a three score lead. With Spain now keying on Matta, Kilby handed off to Melissa Henry who jinked her way for 50 yards before she was downed on the Spanish 2 yard line. On the next play, Henry made a key block for Matta to step in for the score. The Lions were unable to convert the touchdown, so now it sat at 27-0 GB. QB Jo Kilby had led the offence with great poise, but with a solid lead established, head coach Jim Messenger sent in rookie quarterback Sydney Green. Incredibly on her very first pass attempt she showed great arm mechanics as she connected with Hannah Pye for a seventy yard touchdown. The attempted two point conversion was unsuccessful, 33-0 Lions. The game was now well into the third quarter and Messenger was rotating in his rookies to give them valuable snaps. Spain were not giving up though and persisted with trying to get their passing game going. The Lions were struggling to move the ball, and had to punt for the first time in the game.

The final quarter was more of the same with both teams enduring a series of three and outs. Rachel Moody made a big sack to quash any chance that Spain had of getting on the scoreboard, and Henry continued to impress with her elusive running. Interceptions by Stone and Etheridge put the icing on the shut-out cake for the GB defence, and as time expired the Lions celebrated an emphatic 33-0 win.

The Elite level talent of Schecter (15 tackles, 1 sack, 1 blocked punt and 2 recovered fumbles) and Matta (10 carries for 132 yards, 3 TDs, plus 3 receptions for 35 yards and 1 TD) had shone, but the overall team performance was the most impressive thing.

They had delivered big-time, endorsing their reputation as one of Europe’s finest programmes. What’s next for the Lions? Hopefully a re-match with Finland, and if it all comes together, an invite to the World Championships in 2017.

Photo Credit: Kyle Hemsley - kylehemsley.smugmug.com