Waterford Wolves @ Tullamore Phoenix – Tullamore Rugby Club – 09.06.13

By Greg Barrett

Sunday saw the Waterford Wolves visit Tullamore Phoenix in week 11 of the IAFL Division 1. Both teams were off the back of losses from their previous games and were determined to set things right. The Wolves from the moment they arrived were focused on the game and only the game. Waterford again brought a strong crowd with them to cheer them on and the now ever present Radio DSBC to cover the game. There were two notable absentees from the Waterford starting line-up, with Eoin Reinhardt and Paul Coady replaced by Aaron Walsh Quarterback and Denis Walsh Tackle respectively.

The visitors won the coin toss and elected to defer and thus started the battle. The first quarter was a tit for tat affair with both teams feeling each other out, but it was Tullamore that got the points on the board first forcing the Wolves offence back and ultimately getting the safety to give them a 2 point lead, for the fans we feared the worst, the offence just wasn’t getting it done, but as they came off the field their heads were not allowed to drop as their team mates gathered around them to pep them up. It worked.

In the second quarter the offence came to life with some outstanding blocking opening the way for running backs #21 Kevin Butler and #22 Ger O’Keeffe to start having an impact, quarterback Aaron Walsh led the Wolves down the pitch for Butler to finally take it all the way to the bank, running in from 6 yards. Waterford took the lead 6 to 2 into halftime.

The Waterford Wolves Offence take to the field.

Premiership Predictions, Week Ten

Premiership North

Nottingham Caesars vs Yorkshire Rams

Nottingham welcomes Yorkshire in a game that they will no doubt have identified as "winnable" earlier on in the season. Unfortunately for them, the Rams found their stride offensively in their last outing, breaching 20 points for the first time this season. Score at a similar level on Sunday, and the Caesars offence won't be able to hang with them.

The Rams are probably just about in the race for the final play-off place, so will be lookig to hammer a point home. What better way to do it than by beating up on a very poor Caesars team?

Rams by three scores

Lancashire Wolverines vs East Kilbride Pirates

We read the EKP match report from their demolition of Doncaster with a little shame on our faces (read the first paragraph for their sneaky dig), because they pretty much shoved any doubt we showed about their credentials back in our smug faces - well played Pirates.

Lancashire are next up for the undisputed(?) #1 team in the North, and while the Wolverines have stepped up to the Premier level better than their fellow promoted teams, this probably won't end well for them.

East Kilbride by four scores

Birmingham Bulls vs Coventry Jets

We're not going to lie, it's been pretty grim for these two sides so far. Largely low-par performances from both sides mean that this game is a serious contender for this week's "Meh Bowl", with neither side showing any kind of post-season credentials thus far.

Both teams are at the early stages of a rebuild with youth replacing the old guard, so there will likely be a few future stars on show. And that's all the positives we can think to say...

Coventry by less than a score

National League Predictions, Week Ten

National League North

Clyde Valley Blackhawks vs DC Presidents

A reverse fixture of last week’s 31-7 DC victory sees the Presidents march North of the wall to take on the Blackhawks. Despite the fact that it may be a tougher game on away turf it’s highly doubtful that Clyde Valley will manage a 24 point turnaround in the space of seven days, leaving DC the clear favourites for this game.

Coach Ben Johnson has enjoyed a fine start to his DC tenure and will look to continue this on the field.

DC Presidents to win by three scores

Dundee Hurricanes vs Gateshead Senators

The Hurricanes are finding life tough in this division this year. Currently sitting at the bottom of the division without a win and it’s going to get worse as the division leading Senators march into town.

Gary Marshall’s Gateshead side has enjoyed a good start to their National Division campaign, with a 0-0 tie with Glasgow the only blemish on a fine record. They should notch another win up here.

Gateshead Senators to win by three scores