Bullets fire UWE into Varsity lead

The UWE Bullets proved too strong for the Bristol University Barracuda, as they beat them 34-25 at American Football in the Varsity 2015 opener.

The Bullets led from the off, as Jamiel Tinto weaved past the Barracuda’s defence to open the scoring with a touchdown. But the Barracuda found their rhythm though and opened their scoring with a touchdown from Alex DeCaro to equalise.

But the UWE Bullets were the ones with the initiative again, with quarter back JJ Davies pulling the strings which resulted in wide receiver Andy Sutton taking the ball over the goal line. UWE then made the two point conversion to make the score 14-6.

Charles Thomas then ran over the goal line, with an extra point conversion. But the Barracuda kept pegging the Bullets back and managed to get the score back to 21-19 at the half time break.

University of Bristol’s team came out strong with an early touchdown to take the lead for the first time. The Bullets defence held strong on many occasions as the Barracuda’s experienced American quarter back Clay Rust started to find his aim.

They withstood heavy pressure from the Barracuda throughout, until Jamiel Tinto got his second touchdown of the game for UWE. Davies, at the heart of the move once again, finding Tinto who’s tricky running throughout caused headaches for the Barracuda’s defence.

After that Charles Thomas got his second touchdown of the game which was a step too far for the Barracuda. The Bullets survived a late rally from the Barracuda with a consolation touchdown late on, but some inspired defence work from Tinto and Davies again denied them the victory.

The final score was 34-25 to the Bullets who yet again showed their superiority over their neighbours to extend their unbeaten Varsity streak.

MVP of the game was awarded to the Bullets quarter back JJ Davies, for both his range in passing and his grit in defence. The Bullets president Jack Austin said this about Davies late in the game, “I don’t know what he’s on today! JJ’s destroying it out there, he’s just been phenomenal.”

“It’s one of the best teams we’ve had this season. I think we thoroughly deserved the victory”.

Captain of University of Bristol’s cheer-leading squad, Frankie, praised the addition of American quarter back Clay Rust: “It seems like the whole year everyone has been centered around how good the players are doing and how everyone is building a really good relationship around him (Clay Rust)”

“Clay has been a great addition to the team I thought the team as a whole has really upped their game this year” said Frankie. This year’s result was a lot closer than last year, where the Bullets won by a margin of thirty six points.

Jamiel Tinto and JJ Davies seemed to be the difference in terms of attacking flair, which got the Bullets over the line. The Barracuda’s Clay Rust was the danger man, but he couldn’t find the runners as frequently as he would’ve liked. On the cold afternoon, both sets of fans supported both teams brilliantly throughout, with the rivalry fiercer than ever.

By Phil Turbitt