The Coventry Cassidy Jets overcame yet another sloppy first half performance to pull off their second straight come from behind victory with a 20-7 win over the visiting Sussex Thunder. A 29 yard reception in an explosive third quarter and a 66 yard punt return to seal victory in the fourth were enough to secure Jeremy Simms' second successive MVP award with two touchdowns for the second straight week.
Although they arrived over an hour late it was the Thunder that got off to a fast start, driving 51 yards in five plays to score easily with Eber Kington hitting Matt Williams from 21 yards and Chris Percival adding the extra point. The remainder of the first half was a display in offensive ineptitude by both clubs with Coventry turning the ball over 4 times to the Thunder's two.
Head Coach Gerry McManus made it clear at half time that it was of utmost importance for his team to establish the run. That charge fell upon the shoulders of Tony Perkins as he carried 5 times for 47 yards on the first drive of the second half. His final carry of the drive was a six yard run to haul the Jets to within one point at 7-6.
With the Jets defence beginning to click Sussex struggled to move the ball at all gaining just 28 yards in the third quarter. Stuart Franklin, however, outdid them on one play, a touchdown pass to Simms who blew past his cover to score easily at the back of the endzone. Franklin found Norwegian running back Marius Lodoen for the two point conversion to making the score 14-7 to the hosts. It also marked the first time in six weeks that the Jets have managed a point after.
Things would get no better for the Thunder as their first possession of the final quarter led to Simms' sensational punt return and a 20-7 lead for the defending National Champions. Sussex's final attempt was snuffed out by a Dominic Olney interception, the star defensive back had one of the Jets three picks on the day with Danny Wardell and Daniel Smallman-Gough snaring the others.
Next up for the Jets is a trip to Bristol, a win would guarantee a trip to the playoffs for the fifth straight year. The Aztecs however always provide a stern test for Coventry and McManus knows full well that they'll put up a better performance than their display in early May that saw them lose 16-7 at the Sphinx.