The Cassidy Jets returned to British competition with a comfortable 67-0 win over local rivals the Birmingham Bulls. Scoring on 6 of their first 7 possessions the home side shot into a commanding half time lead thanks to 35 second quarter points. Once again Mark Cohen starred for the Jets, his 12 receptions for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns spear headed a potent attack that amassed 444 yards.
American quarterback Dax Michelena saw only limited action but enough to find Cohen for touchdowns either side of a 47 yard touchdown sprint. Cohen's first grab set the tone, the giant receiver scored from 17 yards out before Michelena added the second score. Cohen's second was a highlight reel catch followed by a race to the endzone for a 57 yard score.
Former Bull Kofi Campbell made a surprising recovery from an injury sustained in Austria last weekend to add touchdown runs of 2 and 16 yards. The Cassidy Jets appear to have broken their extra point hoodoo converting 7 of their 8 attempts including 3 for 3 kicking by Steve Coles, his extra point making the score 37-0 with half time rapidly approaching.
A handling error by the Bulls special teams on the ensuing kick return gave the ball straight back to the Jets and Canadian Neil Balthazaar, who'd stepped in at quarterback for Michelena midway through the second quarter, completed 3 of 4 passes to add another quick score with a 14 yard pass to fellow debutant Jonathan Gordon. With just time for one more play before the half Bulls quarterback James Horn was picked off by linebacker Parm Sidhu who returned the ball 42 yards for his first touchdown of the season. Coles' kick made it 51-0, a record for the Cassidy Jets in a half.
With the game already in hand Head Coach Gerry McManus was able to hand time to back-ups and was "particularly pleased" to see the return of Lawrence Grugeon who had two carries to mark his recovery from a broken ankle late last year. The only points in the third quarter came courtesy of Dominic Olney when he gathered in his second interception of the afternoon returning this one 60 yards for the score.
Steve Coles notched the final touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter on a 3 yard run to make for an impressive 67-0 result. The Great Britain running back has spent most of the last 2 games lined up at wide receiver in the absence of James Hossack who's still recovering from a broken wrist. McManus acknowledged his receivers' output "Mark Cohen was outstanding today, he seems to be getting better with age".
The victory puts the Cassidy Jets joint top of the BAFL Premier and sees them back to winning ways after last weeks European exit.
Coach McManus commented on the nature of the "professional performance" of his team, continuing to say "I wanted to see a positive response to last weeks defeat and I believe that's what the players gave me today. It was also great to see Matt Barrett back on the field after such a long time out". Next up for the Cassidy Jets is a home tie versus the London Blitz. Kick off is 16:00 Saturday the 24th of May at Warwick University.