On Sunday 20th November 2011 the UWE Bullets took on the Bath Killer Bees at Filton WISE. The day started early as the committee was at the venue for 9 o clock fixing the pitch ready to play the game on the newly painted outdoor 3G pitch. The two clubs have a very varied and eventful history, with Bath taking most wins in total but over the last few years the UWE Bullets have been unbeaten in the fixture.

This game was always going to be a close one. The UWE Bullets defense took the field to start the game as they went on with a great opening drive stop and good punt return to give the Offense good field position. The offense went straight to work running the ball with good success. However after three first downs from veteran running back Sam Atokorah, a play action pass lead to a fumble from the Bullets Rookie QB JJ Davies, as Bath’s linebacker blitzed through untouched and hit him during the fake. Bath would recover the fumble and start well inside UWE territory.

The Bullets defense however were relentless and did not allow the Bath Offense to get going at all. This was to be the case for the first quarter, which both teams getting a few first downs but not putting a drive together that ended in any points. The first quarter ended 0-0.

As the second quarter got going the UWE Bullets defense started; putting more and more pressure on the Bath Offense who started to throw the ball on most downs as they struggled to get back to the line of scrimmage running the ball. The UWE Offense were also struggling to run the ball against a very agressive and good tackling Bath defense. However with about four minutes left in the half UWE broke the deadlock with a great individual play from the offense. At 3rd and long, the UWE O-line protected the Rookie QB JJ Davies long enough for him to throw it deep, with Team Captain Dayne Robinson doing an amazing job to come back to the ball, jump over the DB’s head and pluck the ball out of the air. This was not the end of the play as the veteran then turned, stiff armed the safety, and went in for the opening score of the game for a 39 yard touchdown catch. He added the PAT himself and the UWE Bullets went into the half 7-0 up.

Both teams felt that they were in the game, and gave very passionate half time speeches about taking the game. The second half started off as the game did, with both defenses defending the line of scrimmage very well against the run, and putting both QB’s under a lot of pressure when passing. The game was played pretty much in the middle of the field at all times with niether team getting any redzone chances. The 3rd Quarter had a few turn overs including an interception from Bath inside the UWE half. UWE even got a pick of their own from veteran linebacker Zoheb Ismail. With all the great defense the 3rd quarter ended 7-0.

Into the 4th quarter and the UWE Bullets Offense was starting to churn out more first downs than Bath and after another turnover from gameday captain Mark Sanchez on an interception. This was a turning point in the game as the UWE Offense put a string of first downs together, then pinned the Bath Offense inside its own ten yard line with a key punt from vertern Mark Hibberd. A great three and out stand from the D and finally a great punt return from rookie DE Idrissa Fornah, put the UWE Offense in the redzone with about four minutes left in the game. This time the UWE Offense put together a good set of plays which ended in a nine yard pass from JJ Davies to Tight End Xavier Anderson to put the game out of reach for Bath and taking the score to 13-0 as the PAT was unsuccessful.

The Bath offense tried to pull it back but the UWE Defense held strong. The last drive of the game saw some of the UWE back ups that had supported so well all day have a chance inside the Bath redzone after Bath had gone for a 4th down, however the Bath defense as they had done most of the day held the UWE backfield to a three and out and ended the game.

The UWE Bullets defense held the Bath Killer Bees to -1 yards rushing on 18 attempts! As well as causing two key turnovers. The Bullets Offense only managed a total of 175 yards against a very good Bath defensive performance, but with two touchdown passes from Rookie QB JJ Davies, who is starting his Bullets career very well.

The UWE Bullets next game is the re-arranged away fixture against Aberystwyth Tarannau on Sunday 27th November, before being back on the Filton WISE 3g on Dec 4th to take on Bath Spa Bulldogs.

The UWE Bullets would like to thank Annabel Wolf for again travelling down and taking the pictures of the game that are used in this article.

Game MVPs:

Overall – Idrissa Fornah

Offense – JJ Davies

Defense -Mark Sanchez

Special Teams – Mark Hibberd

Hon Mens – Dayne Robinson and Jamie Bustin.