Roses is a truly wonderful experience mixing a variety of sports with great food. Probably the event that displays this best is when York’s Centurions faced off against Lancaster’s Bombers in American Football.
The first quarter started off with the Bombers on the offensive, going up against the Centurions’ defence. The beginning of the first quarter seemed to be sluggish, with possession of the ball changing to both sides multiple times, as both sides were simply unable to break through each other’s defence. This changed however, with the Bombers managing to eventually break through the Centurion’s defence, scoring a touchdown, and on top of that, managed to pull off a one-point conversion, this was quickly countered by York’s Centurions, as they made a touchdown towards the end of the quarter, making the score 6 – 7 in the Bomber’s favour.
The second quarter immediately kicked off with offence from the Centurions being met with a tough defence from Lancaster’s Bombers, where the Centurions were eventually slowed down and possession switched off to the Bombers. The bombers however similar to the centurions just moments earlier were eventually slowed down and failed in their offensive, and possession switched back to the centurions. Everything changed however when during the centurions offensive, there was a brilliant interception from the bombers, which switched possession to the bombers, which eventually led to the bombers scoring another touchdown; they were however, not able to carry that momentum and make a one-point conversion. The score is now 6 – 13 in the Bomber’s favour, and this is where a Bomber’s fan described the situation brilliantly as being a ‘Redwash,’ in reaction to that excellent interception.
By the third quarter it started raining a little bit, causing the once giant crowd to shrink ever so slightly, however, this did not have any effect on the game, and the third quarter stood to be one of the most active quarters during the match. It started off with the Bomber’s offensive being stopped by the Centurions, giving possession to the Centurions. Now on the offensive, after a grueling and steady advance by the Centurions, they were able to score another touchdown, attempting to carry this momentum the Centurion’s attempted a two-point conversion, a risky bet, which didn’t pay off, and the Bombers successfully prevented a Centurion lead, with the score standing at 12 – 13. With the bombers now in possession, they took this opportunity, and were able to make another touchdown, making the score 12 – 20 and putting the Bombers in a very comfortable position for the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was the last real chance for the Centurion’s either draw the match or take the lead. It kicked off with Centurion’s Will Swales being injured and walking off the field. Following this, and with the bombers now on the offensive, they steadily advanced, and were eventually able to break through and score a touchdown, which was immediately followed up with a successful one-point conversion, making the score 12 – 27. However, the Centurions were able to fight back and make a long pass and subsequent touchdown, putting the score at 18 – 27. Following this, the Centurions yet again made another risky bet for a two-point conversion, a poor choice as the Bombers were able to prevent this play, keeping the score at 18 – 27.
In the later half of the fourth quarter, the centurions were brought back onto they offensive, and this is really one of the last chances for the centurions to even the score, however, they lost this chance when the Bomber expertly intercepted a pass, and managed to turn that interception into a touchdown, further bringing the score up to 18 – 33. Following this, they made an attempt for a one-point conversion, however, the Centurions were able to block this., keeping the score as it is. The Centurions eventually gain possession again, and manage to push right up to the endzone, this is the last chance for the Centurions to really put up a fight, and they make a touchdown, bringing the score up to 24 – 33. However, it did not get better, with the Centurions failing the attempt for a point conversion. This is the point where the game ended, with Lancaster’s Bombers winning 24 – 33.
The game is best summarised by Oscar, a student from Lancaster stating that the match was “really good, really competitive, Lancaster came on top, York had some good plays,” this is added on by Tom from York, stating that the Centurions were “good defensively, couldn’t do offense.”