Positives To Take as The Royals Fall to Third Consecutive Loss

Worcester came up short in a hard fought encounter against division leaders Nottingham Trent Renegades, suffering their third consecutive loss, falling 0 - 14.

Only seven days ago the Royals travelled to Nottingham, facing the same side in extremely windy conditions, eventually losing 0 - 14 in an injury plagued game. It was a match where both sides of the ball struggled for Worcester as lengthy stoppages took their toll and two serious injuries causing lengthy stoppages causing the match to be abandoned.

Worcester knew they’d be up against it when they welcomed NTU to the Moors the following Sunday, fully aware of what they’d have to do to overcome the obstacle of a severely depleted squad. The team would have to band together, play with heart and determination if they were to have any chance against the Midlands 1A powerhouse.

The tone would have to be set early and after a Royals punt it was a chance for the defense to do just that. Last week they struggled to stop the NTU run game and force turnovers, but with the first play of the game rookie Linebacker Ross Stephenson, in his first start, intercepted the QB, sending the home sideline into ecstasy. The game was on!

The offense couldn’t capitalise from the good field position and the ball was punted back to the visitors. What was to follow would be the main essence of the game, the ball staying firmly in the trenches, with both offenses struggling to get anything meaningful going.

What was noticeable was a vast improvement on the defensive side stopping the NTU rush attack and playing with the heart that was needed to keep the game competitive. What also stood out was the physicality shown by the offensive line and the willingness for QB Kieran Salais to find contact, taking it on the run himself numerous times.

The half continued in the same fashion with tackles being made all over the field by both defenses, limiting scoring opportunities and ensuring that the game remained 0 - 0. A broken play on the run would lead the visitors deep into the Royals red zone giving them first & goal and the first real scoring opportunity of the game. A few tackles later and a sack left them with 4th down having to settle for a field goal opportunity. However the muddy conditions caused the snap to bobble and the kick missed.

All square going into halftime. Worcester were well and truly in for the fight.

The second half would decide the game and the lack of depth on the Royals defense would start to take its toll. A broken play resulted in a big gain on offense for NTU, who’d now started to abandon their run game in favour for the aerial route. The replacement Trent QB found a man in space over the middle who made good yards after the catch. A few plays later Worcester got their second pick of the game, safety Joel Long reading the play, making the catch and taking it back for solid yards.

The pre game underdogs were giving themselves every chance to win the game, massively outnumbered by the team in pink, but matching them step for step. The offense would continue to complete passes, make the first down marker on the ground, but with credit to the Nottingham Trent defense the big play needed to open up the game just wasn’t happening.

Late in the third quarter that breakthrough finally came, unfortunately it was for the Renegades. Another broken play, another pass over the middle and slip by a Worcester defender saw an NTU receiver take 60+ yards to the house. The conversion was made and the score now read 7 - 0 to the visitors.

The pressure was all on the Royals’ offense, but with the bit between their teeth an energized NTU defense made another interception, taking it all the way back to the Royals 2 yard line. After a quick switch of ends, as the 3rd came to a conclusion Nottingham Trent broke the white paint again to score their second TD, the QB finding his receiver open in the corner of the endzone. The kick was made extending their lead to 14 points.

The home team, deflated by the two consecutive touchdowns, needed to dig deep to get back in the game. Hoping to channel the Warwick heroics of two weeks before, coming back from two scores down to make a game of it, the offense edged over midfield with the goal line in firmly in their sights..

Quarterback Kieran Salais took off again when the play broke down only to be slammed by an NTU defender, taking a hit to the head and would not return.

It was four down territory for the Royals O now led by backup QB Matt Cole. They gave it everything they could in an attempt to bring this game back, however it would finish 0 - 14 and Worcester saw themselves slip to a third consecutive defeat.

The Royals will undoubtedly be disappointed with another loss, leaving them with a 1 - 3 record, but they will be extremely pleased with effort and passion shown on both sides of the ball to keep the game close.

Team MVPs were, Defense - Allesandro Guida, the rookie defensive lineman in his first ever start notched up numerous tackles in the backfield and a couple of sacks. All in all it was a very rounded and impressive performance by the first year Royal.

On offense the MVP would have to be from the line due to their physicality and willingness to get into trenches battle. The standout performer, a hard job for the coaches, was centre and team captain Will Carson, his experience and leadership evident for all to see.

The Royals will take all the positives from this defeat and look ahead to their final game before the Christmas break, a home encounter against division strugglers Staffordshire Stallions and an opportunity to get back to winning ways.

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