Anthony Eiliazadeh's two touchdowns (one rushing, one kick return) were not enough as the Tyrants opened up their season with a narrow 21-14 defeat to LJM Fury. The Tyrants fall to 0-1 whilst the Fury improve their record to 2-0.
Match Report by Rob Eden
On a surprisingly warm Sunday in Manchester, Manchester Tyrants met Liverpool John Moores Fury at Burnage RFC with what proved to be a tight and unfortunately disappointing affair. Liverpool Fury arrived on the back of a thumping 48-6 victory against Lancaster Bombers, whilst Manchester had their first initial game of the season against Staffordshire Stallions postponed due to poor weather. Manchester’s defence started strongly, registering an early sack whilst containing Liverpool’s opening drive. However, the Tyrants’ offence failed to capitalise. This was to be the tale of the 1st quarter, as both offences failed to 4cement any real momentum.
Nevertheless, some superb Tyrants’ defensive work and a decent run from running back Anthony Eiliazadeh enabled Manchester to start the 2nd within 20 yards of Fury’s end zone. Quarterback, Chris Payne handed off to Eiliazadeh who managed to side step and weave his way through Fury’s defence, rushing for a touchdown. The extra point was missed; Manchester led by 6.
Consequently, Fury reacted getting their rhythm going by throwing the football. Finding themselves in Manchester’s half for the first time of the game, Fury’s QB launched a football 35-yards straight into the hands of their receiver in stride who finished for a Touchdown. Fury converted their extra point, the score stood at 7-6.
The last few minutes of the first half would prove to be the most exiting of the match. It began with a fantastic Manchester punt, from kicker Matthew Studt, which allowed Manchester to give chase and force Fury to start their drive from their 1-yard line. Nonetheless, a succession of deep passes from Fury’s QB took them within 10-yards of Manchester’s end zone, which was finished this time by the QB scrambling for a touchdown. Fury converted the extra point and the Tyrant’s were now eight points down with 26 seconds left to go before half time. Heads dropped.
Tyrants’ special teams took to the field. Eiliazadeh received the kick and ran right. Picking a gap in Fury’s rushing line he raced for the end zone only to be caught with 5-yards to go, but staying strong and composed, the ball broke the plane whilst he was being dragged out of bounds. He had brought Manchester back into contention on the edge of halftime with a moment of pure inspiration.
Craig Jantzen capped off the comeback by running in a cheeky two-point conversion to enter half time tied at 14-14. Amazingly, Manchester had gone from a team with their heads down, to a team entering half time full of energy.
The third quarter resembled the first; both teams’ defences did their jobs to great effect, shutting down each offence. One notable change was that Fury opted to field a new quarterback; he offered ability to scramble and rarely passed. That is until he threw the longest pass of the game for a touchdown at the start of the 4th quarter.
21-14 down, Manchester failed to respond immediately. Even a superb interception from safety Martin Potter failed to change their fortunes, with Manchester also throwing an interception immediately afterwards.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t seem to be Manchester’s day offensively, as they failed to mount a successful drive in the dying seconds. Fury’s defence had troubled the Tyrants’ offence all day, securing them their second win of the season.
The result means that the Manchester Tyrants’ go 0-1 for the season, and must now travel to the 1-0 Derby Braves, aiming to bounce back, even more determined to claim that elusive first ‘W’ of the season.
Match Report by Rob Eden
On a surprisingly warm Sunday in Manchester, Manchester Tyrants met Liverpool John Moores Fury at Burnage RFC with what proved to be a tight and unfortunately disappointing affair. Liverpool Fury arrived on the back of a thumping 48-6 victory against Lancaster Bombers, whilst Manchester had their first initial game of the season against Staffordshire Stallions postponed due to poor weather. Manchester’s defence started strongly, registering an early sack whilst containing Liverpool’s opening drive. However, the Tyrants’ offence failed to capitalise. This was to be the tale of the 1st quarter, as both offences failed to 4cement any real momentum.
Nevertheless, some superb Tyrants’ defensive work and a decent run from running back Anthony Eiliazadeh enabled Manchester to start the 2nd within 20 yards of Fury’s end zone. Quarterback, Chris Payne handed off to Eiliazadeh who managed to side step and weave his way through Fury’s defence, rushing for a touchdown. The extra point was missed; Manchester led by 6.
Consequently, Fury reacted getting their rhythm going by throwing the football. Finding themselves in Manchester’s half for the first time of the game, Fury’s QB launched a football 35-yards straight into the hands of their receiver in stride who finished for a Touchdown. Fury converted their extra point, the score stood at 7-6.
The last few minutes of the first half would prove to be the most exiting of the match. It began with a fantastic Manchester punt, from kicker Matthew Studt, which allowed Manchester to give chase and force Fury to start their drive from their 1-yard line. Nonetheless, a succession of deep passes from Fury’s QB took them within 10-yards of Manchester’s end zone, which was finished this time by the QB scrambling for a touchdown. Fury converted the extra point and the Tyrant’s were now eight points down with 26 seconds left to go before half time. Heads dropped.
Tyrants’ special teams took to the field. Eiliazadeh received the kick and ran right. Picking a gap in Fury’s rushing line he raced for the end zone only to be caught with 5-yards to go, but staying strong and composed, the ball broke the plane whilst he was being dragged out of bounds. He had brought Manchester back into contention on the edge of halftime with a moment of pure inspiration.
Craig Jantzen capped off the comeback by running in a cheeky two-point conversion to enter half time tied at 14-14. Amazingly, Manchester had gone from a team with their heads down, to a team entering half time full of energy.
The third quarter resembled the first; both teams’ defences did their jobs to great effect, shutting down each offence. One notable change was that Fury opted to field a new quarterback; he offered ability to scramble and rarely passed. That is until he threw the longest pass of the game for a touchdown at the start of the 4th quarter.
21-14 down, Manchester failed to respond immediately. Even a superb interception from safety Martin Potter failed to change their fortunes, with Manchester also throwing an interception immediately afterwards.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t seem to be Manchester’s day offensively, as they failed to mount a successful drive in the dying seconds. Fury’s defence had troubled the Tyrants’ offence all day, securing them their second win of the season.
The result means that the Manchester Tyrants’ go 0-1 for the season, and must now travel to the 1-0 Derby Braves, aiming to bounce back, even more determined to claim that elusive first ‘W’ of the season.