BOURNEMOUTH BOBCATS 19

JURASSIC COAST RAPTORS 2

JURASSIC Coast Raptors kicked off their 2019 campaign in the South-Central division with a difficult 19-2 loss at Bournemouth Bobcats.

The Raptors, once again fielding a small squad full of passion and enthusiasm received the opening kick-off and initially looked to be moving the ball well, with last year’s MVP David Laleye smashing out a couple of threatening early runs.

However, the drive ground to a halt just inside the Bobcats’ half and the Raptors punted away.

The Bobcats initially were no more successful, with two decent rushes, but not threatening the Raptors’ goal-line.

Into the second quarter and the Bobcats got a lucky break of the ball as the home quarterback attempted an inadvisable pass into heavy traffic, the ball deflected off a Raptors defensive back and dropped neatly into the hands of the Bobcats receiver.

Bournemouth took this stroke of luck and turned it into momentum, driving all the way into the endzone for 6-0.

Raptors could not get any momentum on offence despite a few good runs, while the Bobcats were able to make a significant stop.

Equally, the Raptors’ defence was defying the Bobcats, with interceptions for both James Witchell and Harvey Brimicombe.

The second half started in the same pattern until the Bobcats put a few plays together and scored again, this time converting for 13-0.

Raptors responded by pinning the Bobcats back on their one-yard line with a superb punt and then tackled the running-back in the endzone for a safety and a 13-2 scoreline.

Late into the fourth quarter, the Bobcats again drove down the pitch into field goal range, but on third and long the Raptors gave away a pass interference penalty setting the Bobcats up at the two-yard line.

From there, they punched it in at the second attempt for the final score of the game, this time having the extra point blocked by the Raptors for 19-2.

It was a disappointing start to the Raptors’ season.

Despite the energy and effort on display, Raptors went short of the break needed to get into the contest.

None more so than Jamie Lamb-Foster who barely stepped off the field, played offence and defence all day, but despite getting the ball in dangerous positions a few times throughout the game, could not manage to shake that last Bobcat defender off to take it to the house.

The Raptors have time to recoup before a trip to Swindon at the start of June.