WORCESTERSHIRE Black Knights suffered an agonising 28-26 defeat to the Jurassic Coast Raptors in the National League Division Two South West Conference at Kings Norton Rugby Club on Sunday.
In the club’s first-ever home game, fans were treated to a high-tempo spectacle as both sides looked to pick up their first win of the new campaign, but it was the Raptors who held their nerve to claim the victory and condemn Black Knights to a 0-2 start.
From the offset, the visitors were on the scoresheet following a quick drive which resulted in a touchdown.
Things got worse for the Worcestershire outfit when a misplaced pass by Black Knights quarterback Matt Edgar was intercepted for a touchdown, opening up a 14-0 lead following two successful extra point conversions.
It was not until the second quarter that the hosts began to find their offensive groove, when tight end James Lawrence put in a blistering 90-yard run into the end zone to bring the score back to 14-7.
A second Lawrence score, sandwiched between two more Raptors touchdowns midway through the second quarter, left the hosts with a lot to do as they went into half-time trailing 28-14.
Lawrence got the third quarter off to a bang when he stormed into the end zone for his second touchdown of the afternoon to bring the game to within one score.
However, the missed extra point attempt left the Black Knights needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to level the game.
Worcestershire’s defence remained resilient as great work from linebackers Josh Chambers and Tom Duffield picked up seven tackles between them, and defensive back Jake Cassidy stopped the visitors from moving the chains.
At the two minute warning in the fourth quarter, Black Knights had the ball just inside their own 40-yard line and began a sensational run downfield, courtesy of some powerful running by fullback Sam Bennett and running back James Styles.
Finding themselves on Raptors’ ten yard line, Bennett punched the ball for the much-needed touchdown to bring his side to within two points at 28-16.
Needing to convert the two-point attempt, Knights put in a strong run but were halted just two yards short, which enabled Raptors to take a knee on the next play and seal the win.
The Black Knights return to action on Sunday, May 7 when they take on Torbay Trojans at Kings Norton Rugby Club (Kick-off 2.30pm).
