LANCASHIRE WOLVERINES 14 CHESTER ROMANS 14
The Chester Romans maintained their undefeated start to the season with a draw at Lancashire Wolverines. The Romans came away from this fixture in Blackburn last season with a 48-0 loss against a well drilled team. This game though, possibly Lancashire were the team happier with a draw after The Romans twice took the lead and had the better chances to win it

The game started neither offence really gaining much ground, both teams failing to get out of their respective half off the field on their opening two drives. Lancashire punted the ball away after their second drive which Michael Wood returning the punt for 5 yards over the Romans 20 yard line, on first down an well executed play, called in by Offensive co-ordinater Eric Horstman between Quarterback Jason Wilcock and Wide20Receiver Glyn Chadwick saw Chadwick weave his way through the Wolverine defence down the sideline, the combination of good Roman blocking and Chadwick’s pace saw him race 76yards into the end zone for the opening score. Rookie French kicker, Nadgy Khirat converted the extra point to give the Romans a 7-0 lead.  Lancashire tried to respond straight away mounting a drive down to Chester’s 15 yard line, but their QB was intercepted by Nadgy Khirat on The Romans 4 yardline, much to the delight of the Romans sideline. Unfortunately for Chester just two plays later, following a 25 yard dash by Jason Wilcock, he was intercepted by Lancashire. The Wolverines then mounted an 11 play drive, including converting on fourth down and five yards to go, they moved the ball down to the romans 3 yard line and ran the ball straight through the roman defence, with the conversion the scores were tied at 7-7.

Both teams moved the ball well on their next possessions inside the 2nd Quarter but without anything to show for it, The Romans had a field goal attempt tipped, which took the pace and power out of the kick and it fell short  Lancashire failing to convert on 4th Down and 10, Matt Littler sacking the Wolverine QB and giving the Romans the ball inside the opposition half. Eleven plays later, 5 of which were first downs, the Romans had first and goal at The Wolverine 1 yard line. Quarterback Jason Wilcock penetrated the Wolverine defence to break into the end zone and give the Romans their 2nd touchdown and lead of the day. Khirat converted and the Romans led 14-7 at halftime.

The second half was a lot tighter, with neither team giving up much on defence, The first two  drives by each team failing to materialise into points. Roman Mark Donald punted 41 yards to give Lancashire the ball on their own 28 yard line. The Wolverines strung together a decent drive, the key play being a 38 yard reception by a wide receiver, 2 plays later another passing play caught the Roman defence napping resulting in a 15 yard touchdown to the home team, with the extra point tagged on the game was all square at 14-14 at the end of the 3rd Quarter.

Chester looked as though they were going to break the deadlock having recovered the ball through Graham Campbell on defence. The offence took over in great field position on the Lancs 21 yard line, a good 12 yard run on 1st down from James Tootle, who again finished with over a hundred yards rushing on the day, gave Chester a 1st and goal from the Lancs 9 yard line. The Romans were looking as though they were surely set for at least a20field goal, but 2 negative plays, a 2 yard loss followed by a 14 yard loss and sack on QB Wilcock, pushed the Romans out of field goal range and 2 incompleted passes saw the romans turn it over on downs. Neither team came close after that , Mark Donald powered another 40 yard punt deep inside the Wolverine half and with 1 minute and no timeouts left the home team could only reach midfield before time ran out. A deserved point for Chester having twice taken the lead and having the field goal tipped and then unfortunately being pegged back late on to deny another field goal attempt, The Romans will feel as though they could have won this. They take their new positive attitude back to Chester next week for their first home game of the season where they will play Hull Hornets. Kick off is 14:30 at Chester RUFC, entrance is free and the team hope to see a bumper crowd turn up to support the Romans.