U17 TOURNAMENT 1: North Team Report

The MANCHESTER TITANS NORTH U17s (6) vs Chorley Buccaneers (36)

Ardwick in Manchester was definitely Sunny Side up for a opening day of the Under 17s Tier of contact football! The first fixture saw the Manchester Titans take on the favourites, Chorley Buccaneers.

This fixture started with the North not moving the first drive of the day beyond the first down marker and that lead to a change of possession for the Buccaneers Defence, who proved to be a tough unit all day, conceding just 6 points all day.

The Buccaneers started the first offensive drive of the season with short yardage plays, all narrowly contested by the Titans defence to earn the first down. This lead to a huge 25 yard pass into the end zone for the first Chorley score of the day, punched in by the tight end to make the score 7-0.

The next drive saw the Chorley defence shut out the Titans for another four plays, leading to another change of possession. The Buccaneers ran crossing routes to release player #1 into the flat, who ran into the end zone unchallenged. Player #1 also scored off the 1 point attempt to take the score to 14-0. Not long after and before the half the Buccaneers extended their lead to 23-0 with another monster pass over the middle into the end zone, with the extra point completed to take the score to 24-0.

The Titans took control of possession and were able to capitalise on short gains, leading to a consolation touchdown by #14 Matthew Taylor, who would take a 25 yard rushing touchdown to score the only points that Chorley would concede all day.

In the second half, #8 of the Titans Muheeth Owaisi recovered a fumble but Titans were unable to convert on offence. Chorley would add another two scores and two extra points to close the first game out at 36-6. The Buccaneers ran for a total of 81 yards and passed for 120 yards, giving an impressive 201 yards total offense. The Titans accounted for 107 yards rushing on Offence.

Titans players with a special mention –
#8 Muheeth Owaisi with 7 tackles
#14 Matthew Taylor with 89 rushing Yards

MANCHESTER TITANS NORTH U17s (33) vs Chester Romans (0)

After a tough opening battle and carrying some injuries to a few starters, Titans (North) marched into the second game with focus. The Titans elected to start with the ball and the opening play led to a monster gain on the ground by #16 Thomas Wilson who carried the ball over the half way for a 25 yard pickup. Two plays later the ball was ran in by #14 Matthew Taylor for the first score of the game. The attempt for the extra point was no good with the ball being dropped in the endzone.

The Chester Romans first four rushing downs were stopped by the Titans defence and a couple of flags that went against them. This then set up the Titans for the second drive of the day, resulting in Chester turning the ball over on the second offensive play due to a fumble by the Titans. The Romans were unable to capitalise on this defensive effort and were forced to change possession by a stoosh defensive effort. Titans on their next drive ran the ball with #16 Thomas Wilson who leaned his shoulder to get yards after contact and score for the Titans. The extra point was thwarted by the Romans defense who played the down excellently. Just before the half #16 Thomas Wilson played two downs at Defensive Tackle leading to the QB throwing an incompletion, then a fantastic awareness play to force a QB fumble and recover the fumble in the endzone. Thomas then caught the extra point to complete his 7 point play, taking the Titans to 19-0.

In the next Chester offensive drive, #9 Kai Sowerby storms through to sack the QB in the endzone for a safety and 2 points, his effort stretching the Titans lead. In the final minute of the first half, the Titans defence had four testing attempts at their endzone and managed to hold out to end the first half 21-0 to the Titans.

In the opening play of the second half, #4 Joe Cooke connected with #8 Muheeth Owaisi to take home the biggest gain of the day (35 yard pass). The extra point was denied, leaving the score line at 27-0. The last score of the game came from #16 Thomas Wilson for another 25 yards rush after a couple of dukes.

The rest of the second half was dominated by both defences and brought the game to a 33-0 close and the first win of the season for the Titans North.

Titans players with a special mention –
# Muheeth Owaisi with 5 tackles
#16 Thomas Wilson with 77 rushing Yards and 3 TD’s