Match Report: NWFL Solent Thrashers vs London Warriors 11th May 2024
- Mike Woolnough
- May 15, 2024
- 3 min read
Photo: Jason Brown Photography
Saturday 11th May 2024 saw the curtain rise on the NWFL 2024 season with the headline act being a tough test for the Solent Thrashers’ first home game of the season as they welcomed the reigning National League champions the London Warriors. Solent were also playing in their first 9v9 game in the NWFL having elected to make the jump from the Development leagues following a successful 8-0 regular season record in 2023.
With the step up in format, Solent faces new challenges not only in the number of players per side but also a larger field and the introduction of special teams to the game.
So, onto the game. While being a short way from the water, there was little in the way of cool breezes and the field was still a hot place with temperatures up to 230C at kick-off.
London Warriors Head Coach Dee Williams said he was hoping for a good game. He added that that Solent had players who had shown their quality and skill and so he was expecting the Thrashers to be a challenge in this opening game. Long term the Warriors are looking to be the dominant team in this format again.
On the home sideline, Alex Phillips, who plays Adult Contact for the Warriors and GB stated “I am proud of the effort and energy the team have all put in to get to this point. Several players would be getting their first experience of football at any level alongside the veteran players.”
London Warriors won the toss and deferred their option.
Solent opened with a good kick return and steadily drove down the field with strong running from Running back Steph Wyant and Quarterback Eilidh Currie. The 11-play drive ended when the Thrashers failed to convert on 4th and 1 at the Warriors’ 8-yard line.
Giselle Orebanwo of the London Warriors ran for 10 yards on the first play before taking the ball to the house on an 81-yard TD run on the second play. After a delay penalty, Samantha Read attempted the extra point which drifted wide right.
A three-and-out by Solent gave the Warriors the ball back on their 30-yard line. 2 runs by QB Sydonie Calvert and a pass completion to Samantha Read moved the ball to the 36-yard line. Giselle Orebanwo then got the ball and ran in another fantastic TD to extend the Warriors’ lead to 12-0 following a failed extra-point attempt.
Solent found their groove on the next drive, which crossed over into the second quarter and ended with Eilidh Currie running in from the 21-yard line for the Thrashers’ opening touchdown. Steph Wyant then ran in the 2 points try to bring the score to 12-8.
The two teams then traded touchdown blows with Warriors in excellent field position following a 38-yard kick-ff return from Jochebed Frempong and 4 plays later, Jessica Melifonwu ran in from the 7 and Sydonie Calvert ran in for the extra 2 points. Solent then responded and capped an 11-play 71-yard drive with Eilidh Currie running in from the 7-yard line for another touchdown and Steph Wyant capped it off with a tough run for 2 points. The first half finished Warriors 28, Thrashers 14.
A frantic start to the second half saw a kick-off return taken to the house called back to the Solent 35-yard line. Jochebed Frempong initially fumbled the return, only to recover the ball and take the ball back for a touchdown however a penalty nulled the 6 points. A 25-yard pass from Sydonie Calvert to Samantha Read, a 14-yard TD run by Siobhan Walker and a 2-point conversion caught by Samantha Read saw the Warriors move to a commanding 36-14 lead.
Photo: Jason Brown Photography
Although the Warriors extended their lead following a 10-yard touchdown from Siobhan Walker capped off by a 2-point conversion by Danielle Hamelburg the Solent Thrashers did not give up. Solent very stubbornly started a productive 14-play drive with a 22-yard kick-off return by Tuva Strom and finished with a 4-yard touchdown run by Steph Wyant. Unfortunately, the 2-point conversion was no good and the score stood at 44-20 for the Warriors.
The London Warriors capped off their dominant performance with an 8-play, 70-yard drive that saw Jessica Melifonwu run for a 25-yard run and with a failed 2-point conversion the game ended 50-20.
Player Stats
Solent Thrashers
Rushing
Name | Rush | Yards | TD | 2XP | |
15 | Steph Wyant | 32 | 109 | 1 | 1 |
21 | Eilidh Currie | 19 | 146 | 2 | - |
TOTAL | 51 | 255 | 3 | 1 |
Passing
Name | Att | Comp | Yards | TD | 2XP | |
21 | Eilidh Currie | 10 | 5 | 30 | - | - |
Receiving
Name | Comp | Yards | TD | 2XP | |
14 | Tuva Strom | 4 | 32 | - | - |
46 | Kathryn Dale | 1 | -2 | - | - |
Returns
Name | Returns | Yards | |
14 | Tuva Strom | 5 | 102 |
15 | Steph Wyant | 3 | 33 |
London Warriors
Rushing
Name | Rush | Yards | TD | 2XP | |
2 | Gisselle Orebanwo | 4 | 162 | 2 | - |
13 | Sydonie Calvert | 4 | 36 | - | 2 |
16 | Siobhan Walker | 2 | 15 | 1 | - |
26 | Daniealla Hamelburg | 4 | 27 | - | 1 |
30 | Jessica Melifonwu | 8 | 164 | 3 | - |
88 | Jochebed Frempong | 3 | 3 | - | - |
TOTAL | 25 | 407 | 6 | 3 |
Passing
Name | Att | Comp | Yards | TD | 2XP | |
13 | Sydonie Calvert | 5 | 5 | 49 | 1 | 1 |
Receiving
Name | Comp | Yards | TD | 2XP | |
16 | Siobhan Walker | 1 | 10 | 1 | - |
21 | Samantha Read | 4 | 39 | - | 1 |
Returns
Name | Returns | Yards | |
2 | Gisselle Orebanwo | 1 | 38 |
88 | Jochebed Frempong | 3 | 122 |
