Match report: Northants Knights 6-14 Nottingham Caesars
Image: Adrian Howes Photography
There was excitement in the air as Northants Knights took to the field for their first game in two years, and the very first league game since they passed the associate process.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, BAFA - the sport's governing body - decided to do away with the usual league format and instead grouped teams based on geographical location. This meant a top Division 1 team like Nottingham Caesars travelled to Wellingborough Old Grammarians to take on the recently inducted Northants Knights for week 1 of the BAFA Central East campaign.
Both teams had around 50 players on the sidelines and many fans in attendance to watch a great pre-game performance from local cheerleading group Born2Dance before settling down to watch the return of Brit Ball action to Northamptonshire since the Northants Storm of the late 80s.
It was a defensive battle from the whistle with both teams struggling to get much going on offense, and a costly turnover from the Knights set the Caesars up with great field position for them to take the lead and go up 6-0.
When many lower teams would have crumbled at this point, the Knights did not. A fumbled handoff was recovered by linebacker Dan Harding and returned 44 yards into the lushly painted end zone to make it 6-6 and give the Knights a glimmer of hope despite missing the PAT.
The Knights offense stuttered a little on the day and despite making some good plays and gaining some good yardage they were unable to capitalise in the end zone and a number of turnovers didn’t help on the day.
The game became a stalemate from this point with both defenses putting in top level performances but it was the home team who came closest to scoring when quarterback Nick Rizzuto found Max Harrison In the corner of the end zone but celebrations were promptly halted as the official spotted a penalty on the offense. Knights hearts were again in their mouths soon after as Rizzuto once again found a wide open receiver in the end zone only for the ball to travel straight through his open arms and into the turf.
Despite being the overwhelming underdog it was the Knights who continued to be aggressive looking to find the go ahead score, to their own demise. Going in search of the game winner it was QB Nick Rizzuto who looked to find a receiver but was picked off by number 22 of the Caesars who then ran it back for the game winning pick six.
It wasn't to be for the Division 2 side and the game fizzled out into a 14-6 win for Nottingham Caesars.
Speaking after the game, head coach Wayne Gumbs said: “Today's game was a benchmark. The lads didn't know what to expect but now they do. Frustration set in at times today as they know they should have made crucial stops and even scored.
“From a coaching stance we know what to fix and work on. The team has so much talent and now they believe in themselves.
“To keep a team in a division above so close makes a clear statement that the Knights can, and will, compete."
The Knights next home game day is on 1st August when they host newcomers South Lincs Lightning where spectators will be welcome.