Dublin Rebels 8 - 0 D.C.U. Saints

venue: Sportslink, Santry

Scorers

1st quarter: REB Mike Kresowaty, 13 yd pass from Andy Dennehy, Henry Wasserman 2xpt

2nd quarter: No Scoring

3rd quarter: No Scoring

4th quarter: No Scoring

The Dublin Rebels won a close encounter with a much improved D.C.U Saints team on a blustery Sunday afternoon in Santry. Neither Offences really got firing on all cylinders and it was the impressive defensive performances from both teams that characterised this game.

Right from the opening kick-off there was a series of four-and-outs for both teams, but with the Rebels enjoying a greater share of field position. The only score of the game came when Rebels’ QB Andy Dennehy hit WR Mike Kresowaty for a 13 yd TD pass at the end of the first quarter. TE Henry Wasserman caught a pass for the 2 point conversion.

The second quarter began with a series of exciting exchanges. Saints’ QB Connor Buggle was only inches short of a first down after a neat scramble, and Darragh Farrell of the Rebels recovered a punt, only to be called on a kick/catch interference penalty. D.C.U then made a big gain on the ground with a reverse to establish good field position, but this was thwarted when Rebels LB Kevin Finnegan stuffed a run for minus ten yards in the Saints’ backfield. Aggressive running from Simon Mackey and key receptions from WR Connor Ryan and TE Henry Wasserman brought the Rebels to the Saints’ 1 yd line. But the Rebels blew an opportunity to take the lead when (after a 1 yd pass to Wasserman in the end zone was flagged for illegal procedure) the Saints’ secondary, who were excellent, kept them out.

The opening exchanges of the second half typified the rather lack-lustre performances of both Offences. After successive four-and-outs the Rebels did manage to get a good drive going, with Chris Winton fighting for every inch on the ground. But the Saints Defence came up with a big play when they sacked QB Dennehy and recovered the resultant fumble. A series of lateral runs were stifled by a determined and aggressive Rebels defence, with linebackers Ross McCooey, Paul Weldon and Kevin Finnegan making some important tackles.

Into the fourth quarter, Sam Hodgins made some good gains for the Rebels, but the Saints Defence were very good at stuffing runs and their coverages were excellent. Particular
mention must go to Scott Quigley, Bobby Blankenship and Willie Coyne in the Saints secondary. After yet another four and out, Rebels RB Chris Winton ran for 26 yds into the end zone, but the TD was negated by a holding penalty. The Saints again kept the Rebels out with some good defensive play by Austin Ragans and Carl Rushe. Some fine defensive play by the Rebels, with Steve Archibald and Marcus Naylor in the secondary, ensured that the Rebels could try to run out the clock, which they did.

This was a tight, defensive battle, with both offences looking a little rusty.