BOMBERS 6 Leicester 0
The Bombers flew into Leicester needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and returned home with the required result after a hard territorial battle. Both offenses struggled in the first but Lancaster QB Mayne's passing was looking promising as he completed several passes, including one to TE Pemberton who unfortunately had to leave the game injured; and the rushing of Tom Hailwood also looked dangerous. Into the second and Leicester were forced to the air on almost every down, where they were thwarted by the emergent Bombers secondary of CB's Gil David and Rick Peters and rookie FS Adam Saul, who were imperious throughout the day. Lancaster were finally able to mount a long drive after crucial receptions from WR's Dean Alexis and Tom Hammill to set them up at the Lightning two yard line, where Leicester made a strong stand but were eventually overcome as RB Billy Simoneau blasted in for six. The Lightning stopped the 2PAT and the score was 6-0, where it was to stay for the rest of the game. Leicester came out strong in the second half but a huge sack from DE de Waart and more good coverage put paid to their efforts, and Lancaster RB Hailwood was looking ever more dangerous as the game went into the final quarter, where a promising Leicester drive was ended after a Peters interception on the Lancaster 20 yard line. After more territorial tennis and an earlier ˜miraculous reception" from new TE Ian 'History Boy' Brown, Lancaster had the ball deep in their own half after a terrific stop on the six yard line from their D, and QB Mayne completed more passes to WR's Gil David and Hammill, with his longest of the day a 33 yarder to David to put the Bombers deep into Lightning territory. Hailwood continued his strong running but the game came to an abrupt and unhappy end when a Lightning defender went down with a dislocated shoulder and damaged collarbone and they were forced to forfeit the game. Nevertheless it was mission accomplished for the Bombers who go into a do-or-die clash with Leeds with a win the only result they can afford...