DCU Saints 0-58 Belfast Bulls
June 25th, 2006 | | Game Reports
Venue: Victoria Park, Belfast.
Scorers (all Bulls):
1st quarter: Gareth Millar 2yd run, Lorimer 2xpt (0-8).
2nd quarter: Dee Lorimer 7yd run (0-14); Mike Calo recovered punt in endzone, Lorimer 2xpt (0-22).
3rd quarter: Dee Lorimer 5yd run, Millar 2xpt (0-30).
4th quarter: Mark Helferty 47yd run, Millar 2xpt (0-38); Mark Helferty 2yd run, Lorimer 2xpt (0-46); Willy Hart 45yd int return (0-52); Gareth Millar 5yd run (0-58).
Game Report.
The Belfast Bulls got themselves right back in the play-off hunt with a comprehensive victory over the DCU Saints in Belfast. Gareth Millar, Dee Lorimer and Mark Helferty each had three rushing touchdowns as the Bulls ground game dominated.
The Bulls got on the scoreboard early in the opening quarter after running back Gareth Millar scored on a short yardage run which was converted by Dee Lorimer. Lorimer got the first of his two touchdowns early in the second quarter – a seven yard run after the Bulls offense got into scoring range. The Saints managed to keep in the game for most of the first half, but quarterback Conor Buggle’s offense struggled at times and the Bulls defense led by Carl Ward and Marty McKeever contained the Saints elusive running back, Dave McMahon. The Bulls special teams extended Belfast’s lead on the last play of the half when Mike Calo recovered a fumbled Saints punt in the endzone for a touchdown.
The Bulls defense played well in throughout the second half. Stephen Coulter and Willy Hart made some good tackles. Mid way though the third quarter, the Bulls got into scoring range again and Lorimar punched in another short yardage score to effectively seal the game for Belfast. The Bulls special teams came up with its second score of the game early in the fourth quarter when Mark Helferty ran out of punt formation and scrambled 47 yards for a touchdown. Helferty also scored the Bulls next offensive touchdown, from 2 yards out. The Bulls defense then got on the scoreboard when linebacker Willy Hart intercepted a Saints pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown. The Bulls 8th and final touchdown of the game came late in the quarter through a Gareth Millar run to make the final score 58-0.
The win puts the Bulls back in the hunt for a play-off place with a 3-3 record. With the Dublin Rebels, UL Vikings and Carrickfergus Knights looking like they will secure three of the four semi-final places, the Bulls will battle the Cork Admirals and Dublin Dragons for the final play-off place through the month of July. Both rookie teams – Saints and Marshals are mathematically eliminated.
DCU Saints 44-32 North Dublin Marshals
June 10th, 2006 | | Game Reports
Venue: Iveagh Grounds, Crumlin.
Scorers:
1st quarter:
NDM: Darien Bell 4yd run + 1xpt (0-7).
2nd quarter:
DCU: Conor Buggle 10 yd run + 2xpt (8-7);
NDM: Mark Davey 15yd pass from Seth Larson (8-13).
3rd quarter:
NDM: Jess Palmer 80yd pass from Larson (8-19);
Conor Buggle 34yd run + 2xpt (16-19);
NDM: Steven Travers 60yd pass from Larson (16-25).
4th quarter:
NDM: Jess Palmer 80yd pass from Larson + 1xpt (16-32);
DCU: Ed Prendergast 32yd pass from Buggle + 2xpt (24-32);
DCU: David McMahon 30yd run (30-32);
DCU: Conor Buggle 5yd run + 2xpt (38-32);
DCU: David McMahon 32yd run (38-44).
The DCU Saints won their first ever IAFL game against fellow newcomers thanks to a fourth
quarter comeback in which they scored 4 touchdowns. Running back David McMahon had close to 300 yard rushing and rookie quarterback Conor Buggle had three rushing touchdowns for the Saints whereas Marshals quarterback Seth Larson threw 4 touchdown passes in what turned out to be a shootout. This is the second high scoring game of the season between these teams following the Marshals 45-41 victory in April.
The Marshals were first on the scoreboard in what turned out to be a slow opening quarter.
Receiver Darien Bell took a hand-off and ran in from 4 yards out. The Saints responded early
in the second quarter with a 10 yard run by quarterback Buggle. Mark Davy’s 15 yard touchdown pass from Larson gave the Marshals a slim lead at the half.
Both offense began to fire on all cylinders in the second half as the Marshals began to move
the ball through the air and the Saints on the ground. Marshals quarterback Seth Larson, who had over 400 yard passing in the game contributed two long touchdown passes for the
Marshals – to Jess Palmer and Steven Travers, both in the third quarter. These sandwiched a 34 yard scramble for a touchdown by DCU’s Buggle. The Marshals looked like they sealed the game early in the final quarter when Larson hooked up with Jess Palmer for Palmers second 80 yard touchdown catch of the game. However, the Saints, led by McMahon’s running, staged a dramatic final quarter comeback. They responded to the Marshals scores with a 32 yard pass from Buggle to Ed Prendergast. After stopping the Marshals, McMahon’s mazy rushing got them within one score thanks to a 30 yard touchdown run. The go ahead score came from a 5yard run by Buggle following some McMahon rushs. McMahon then sealed the Saints win with a 32 yard touchdown run late in the game.