Recap

It was a turbulent sixty minutes that saw the two 2-1 teams battle for the majority win, in which the Mavericks took a very early lead and eventually quashed the visitors 26-6.

East Kent started with a powerful tackle on Spartans #24 Dwayne Ferdinand, who fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Mavericks. On the next play a long pass to their WR went straight into the red zone and put the first points on the board inside the opening minute.

The Spartans offense continued to struggle as a further fumble was recovered by the Mavs to gain possession again, which was quickly returned for the second touchdown of the game, plus conversion, extending Kent’s lead 14-0.

There was a delay after a holding incident was called by the Spartans coaching staff but no such call was ultimately given; play continued with the Mavericks leading an impressive 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Spartans gained a first down straight off the bat in the second, but no further progress was made and the Mavericks offense returned to the field, gradually gaining yardage on every play.

Spartans #5 FS Kunle Omisakin saved the Spartans from further despair as he tacked the ball-carrier right on the end zone, and with the Spartans’ offense return to the field, #11 Norris Owusu made an 80-yard push to win the TD for the Spartans; #84 Mitch Arthur missed the conversion.

A seemingly rejuvenated Spartans were quickly despondent again as the fierce Mavericks offense made a third touchdown right on the two-minute warning. Spartans #13 Felix Olu earned a first down as the whistle blew, leaving the Spartans trailing 20-6 at the half.

The second half saw a barrage of knocks and injuries on both sides of the field, whilst Spartans defence held the Mavericks to a stalemate throughout the entire third quarter with no change to the score. The Spartans looked likely to have a man ejected after a personal foul was committed by #77 Steve Clements but the penalty came in lost yardage and the game continued.

A controversial incident in which the Spartans called adamantly for a severe block in the back was dismissed by the officials; the significant yardage gained was enough to earn Kent their final touchdown in the next play to seal the Spartans’ fate. The offense made a final push in the dying minutes to minimise the score gap, but ultimately nothing more could be done and the East Kent Mavericks took the victory 26-6.

3-1 East Kent return to training for two weeks ahead of their next game on 2nd July, whilst the Spartans have one week to prepare for a home visit from London Blitz B next Sunday 25th June.