Mavs Season opens with a BOOM!!!!

The DW Sport Fitness powered East Kent Mavericks American Football club got off to a fantastic start to the 2011 Gridiron season on Sunday, christening their new home ground at the Aylesham Welfare Leisure Centre with dominating wins for both Adult and Youth teams.

The Over 18’s hosted their Nemesis team the Hampshire Thrashers in the first game and despite falling 12 points behind within just 10 minutes fought back to secure a 25-12 win.  Trailing by 12 points with just a few left in the half Mavericks Veteran quarterback Adam Lillis went to the air finding Rookie wide receiver Josh ‘Colt’ Adamson in the endzone for a 60 yard bomb.  A fake field goal was then caught by Felix Harrison for the 2pt Conversion making the score 12-8 at half time.

Hampshire came out gunning in the second looking for a big pass of their own to extend the lead, but a Blindside Sack by Blitzing Cornerback Sketch Chandler brought down the Thrashers Quarterback in his own Endzone for a 2pt safety, a 12-10 score line and the ball back in Mavericks hands.

The Mavericks pounded the ball hard for the next two series with work horse running back Gary Welch wearing the Thrashers defence down with some hard nose running before QB Lillis found Tim Palmer in the endzone with a 30 yard pass.  Making the score 18-12 to the Mavericks coming into the 4^th quarter.

The final period of play was a tough time for the Thrashers seeing their Quarterback sacked again for another safety by local music legend and Defensive captain Dudley Ross followed up by an interception returned for a touchdown by Craig Hunt.

After the Game Head Coach John Moore said “This is one of the biggest wins in the clubs short history and the first time we have ever beaten Hampshire.  The players being able to train as a team at DW sport has had a huge impact on speed and strength and really made a difference.”   Game MVP’s were Adam Lillis on Offence and Ollie Bristow on Defence.

3pm saw the Mavericks youth team face off against the South London Renegades in what can best be described as irresistible force meets immovable object!   The Renegades team were huge and most of the Mavericks players assumed they were adult team coaches or players that had come to watch until they started to warm up!

Speed, skill and coaching however quickly overcame size and aggression with the Mavericks scoring quickly curtsey of some great running by Conan Osborne and Touch Down Pass from Quarterback Gabe Harrison to Dan Burke.  The Renegades, however, quickly responded leaving the score at 14-6 to the Mavericks at half time.

The Mavericks came out fired up in to the 2^nd half with a flurry of quick passing and running scores and 5 different players finding the endzone in what finished up as a 35-6 Thrashing!  Harry Isasc

Both Adult and Youth teams are at home again next week with the Adults hosting the Sussex Thunder and Youth team hosting local rivals the west Kent Exiles.  The action starts at 12pm at Aylesham Leisure centre, Aylesham CT3 3AF.  If you are interested in finding out more about the Mavericks visit www.ekmavericks.co.uk or find us on facebook.