The UWE Bullets faced their cross-town rival Bristol University on Sunday, 12^th February. The two Universities faced off as part of the ‘Varsity Series’. This was the first match of the Varsity series, comprised of Rugby (March 5^th), Boxing (March 9^th), Football (March 12^th), Varsity Day, Hockey (March 21^st), Ice Hockey (March 28^th), Boat Race (May 12^th), and Polo (March 13^th). Further details are available at http://www.uwesu.org/sports/varsity/.

The game was held at Clifton College, Beggars Bush Astroturf as a Bristol University home fixture. The game kicked off at 3:00pm to allow for the venue to be set up and for spectators to make their way to the game. The game was organised well. The pitch was marked perfectly. There was a play-by-play commentary and half-time cheerleaders’ shows from the UWE Comets and the Bristol Jets. Hot food and drinks were available through the game while the two University squads were battling for the Steve Jones Varsity Trophy.

The UWE Bullets have never lost to their cross-town rivals and with their unbeaten season on the line they had no intention on this time being the first. The Bristol Barracuda won the toss and took the ball. The opening kick-off was returned 19 yards and the Cuda offense took the field. The UWE Bullets defense have been on a great run coming into this game. They held the ‘Cuda offense to a 3 and out on the opening drive. The punt was returned by team captain Tom Whyld for the Bullets and their offense took the field for the first time. After some key runs from veteran Sam Atakorah the Bullets offense found themselves with a 4^th and long. The Bullets decided to attempt the field goal which went wide left.

The Cuda offense re-took the field only to meet the brick wall that is the run defense for the Bullets. They could only gain 4 yards and had to punt the ball. The Cuda’s punt pinned the Bullets offense on their own 10 yard line. The Bullets offense learned from the first drive and came out firing. They drove the whole length of the field on 10 plays with runs from 5 different backs as well as a long completion from rookie QB JJ Davies to team captain and president Dayne Robinson. The drive ended with an aggressive power run from 5 yards out from Sam Atakorah for the opening score. The extra point was scored by Robinson and the UWE Bullets lead 7-0. The following drive the Cuda decided to take to the air to try and beat the Bullets defense but on this drive they failed to complete a pass and again had to punt having gained no yards. The following punt ended the first quarter with the Bullets offense on their own 33 yard line and a 7 point lead.

The UWE Bullets offense went to work again with a second 10 play drive. However, this drive fell short when the Cuda’s defense stepped up and the Bullets tried their second long field goal attempt of the game. Robinson smashed through the posts from the 38 yard line to make the score 10-0.  The following drive was a nightmare for the Cuda’s offense with the Bullets defense really brining the pressure. The drive ended with them facing a 4^th and 37 from their own 2 yard line. A short punt led to great field position for the Bullets Offense to really turn the screw. The drive lasted only one play with a great individual pick from the Cuda’s defense in the endzone to give their offense the ball on the 20 yard line.

Inspired by the turn-over the Cuda’s offense finally got moving. They drove the ball on a 7 play drive all the way into the Bullets red-zone. However, the ‘bend don’t break’ Bullets defense held strong. Even after the Cuda’s offense decided to go for it on 4^th down and 8, only to have the pass batted down by LB James Oddy. On the very next drive the rookie QB JJ took no time to drive the field on two passing plays that went 63 yards for the score. The first was a long completion to Dayne Robinson for 51 yards, and then the very next play hit rookie Ryan Morton in the back of the endzone for a 12 yard touchdown. The extra point was good, this time by Tom Miles. The score line was 17-0 with not a lot of time left in the half, but long enough for the Cuda to break the 17 quarter shut out from the UWE Bullets defense. With just one play they went 54 yards by Michael McDowell for a touchdown to end the half at 17-6.

The third quarter was all defense with neither team really gaining many yards. The Bullets offense got a few first downs, but also fumbled the ball a few times, whereas the Cuda offense struggled to get any first downs. The quarter flew past and ended with no points scored.

The fourth quarter brought a little more excitement for the 500 pairs of eyes watching the local rivalry. The UWE Bullets very first 4^th quarter drive started at their own 25 yard line. They drove all the way into the endzone on 8 plays all on the ground with rookie running back Jamiel Tinto driving the ball the length of the field and finishing it off with a great inside powerful run from 11 yards out. The extra point was missed and the score line was 23-6.  The defense added 2 more points with a safety from veteran Mark Sanchez to make the score 25-6.

With not much time left on the clock, the UWE Bullets brought on their back-up players. The Cuda took the advantage of this with a great 10 play drive that started on their own 6 yard line to score an 8 yard touchdown pass to the back corner of the endzone by Michael McDowell.

The game ended with the UWE Bullets lineman carry which this year was won by Robert Chase and went for 2 yards. The final whistle blew and the final 2012 Steve Jones Varsity score was UWE 25 : Bristol Barracuda 12. The SAJ Varsity Trophy was awarded to the UWE Bullets president Dayne Robinson, and the game day MVP was awarded to UWE Bullets rookie running back Jamiel Tinto for his 14 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown.

The UWE Bullets would like to thank the Bristol Barracuda for the great event and for a good game. They would also like to thank the UWE Comets for their continued support, and photographers Jeff Stanford, and the Western Eye.

The coach decided MVPs are to follow:

Overall MVP -

Offensive MVP -

Defensive MVP -

Special Teams MVP -

Rookie of the Game -