The Tridents welcomed London Olympians to Westcliff in a game that showed plenty of fight but ultimately too many errors to trouble a well-organised Olympians side. Despite a defence that repeatedly rose to the challenge, Essex couldn't find the end zone as London ran out comfortable winners.
Both teams struggled to find rhythm early, with the Tridents unable to move the chains on their opening drive. The Olympians made them pay, putting together a well-mixed drive before punching the ball into the end zone. PAT good. Olympians 7–0.
Essex received the restart on their own 36 and showed some real promise. A big pass to Jack Millen (#25) moved the chains immediately, and good running produced another first down, leaving the Tridents on the Olympians' eight-yard line. A sack on Frazer Childs (#9) stalled the momentum, and a shot to the end zone sailed just high for Noah Sims (#0). The field goal attempt was no good. Turnover on downs.
Back to back losses of yards on the next drive put Essex in a difficult position, and a Frazer Childs (#9) interception was returned to the Tridents' 43. The defence dug in, forcing a fourth down, but the Olympians converted before a big play on the next possession resulted in a touchdown. The Tridents' defence batted down the PAT. Olympians 19–0.
The Tridents defence started the second quarter superbly, forcing a three and out, but an excellent punt left Essex pinned back on their own one-yard line. Unable to escape, the Tridents went three and out again. The punt was high, giving the Olympians the chance to return it to the Tridents' 24-yard line. London made the most of the field position, driving in for the touchdown. A bad snap disrupted the extra point, with the Tridents' defence halting the kick. Olympians 13–0.
The Tridents weren't done before the break. A big run from Richard Olyaniyan (#23) moved the chains immediately, and a subsequent completion pushed the drive further into Olympians territory. A punt was downed neatly at the Olympians' 11-yard line as the half-time whistle blew.
Adam Rice (#22) picked off the first pass of the second half to hand the Tridents the ball on their own 38, but the offence couldn't convert. A bad snap forced Josh Summerhill (#33) to chase the ball down, and a hurried punt left the Olympians in good field position. The defence responded magnificently, a tackle for loss from Ellis Warner-Larthe (#1) brought up fourth down, and the Tridents made the stop to force a turnover on downs.
The Tridents continued to frustrate the Olympians on defence, forcing multiple three and outs and keeping the scoreboard ticking over in their favour. The offence, however, struggled to capitalise on the opportunities presented, going three and out on consecutive drives before the punt team downed the ball neatly at the Olympians' 44-yard line.
From there, Frazer Childs (#9) began to find his range. A big throw to Jack Griffiths (#2) moved the chains, and another well-executed pass to Jack Millen (#25) produced a huge first down as the third quarter drew to a close.
The promising drive was ultimately unable to find the end zone, and the Tridents turned it over on downs at their own 28. The Olympians wasted no time, a quick slant broke free for a touchdown. London went for two but a flag on the play penalised them five yards back, and the two-point attempt fell short. Olympians 25–0.
The Tridents kept fighting. Ellis Warner-Larthe (#1) produced an outstanding catch to put the Tridents on the 11-yard line, their best position of the second half, but a sack on Frazer Childs (#9) forced a fumble, recovered by the Olympians. Josh Summerhill (#33) came up with a late interception to give the Tridents one final chance, but the clock had other ideas.
Match report written by Grant Stammers
Photography by Kenneth Campbell
