The 2009 edition of the Coventry Cassidy Jets were taught a tough lesson in Zurich yesterday as they went down 28-6 to the Renegades. A lack of solid preparation put paid to the visitors as their well drilled opponents were able to methodically grind them down. Kofi Campbell contributed Coventry's lone score with a 1 yard touchdown as the Jets now have to rely on the help of the Prague Panthers to prolong their ambition of lifting the EFAF Cup.
With a squad numbering just 24 players the Jets game plan was thrown into disarray. Last minute pull outs deprived the British Champions of such seasoned veterans as Pete Cowler, Will White, Matt Barrett & Mark Connolly. Their replacements gave a good account of themselves and showed great promise for the future but couldn't help provide a winning start to the season.
The opening quarter saw each team's defense on top as neither offense could click into any rhythm. The Jets finally achieved their first first down with the final play of the period as they mounted their best drive of the game to that point, reaching Zurich's 34 yard line before being stopped on a fourth and 1.
They were made to pay for the short coming as American quarterback Chris Joseph completed two long passes with the second going 30 yards for the opening score. Michael Langholz exploited a coverage breakdown and found himself alone in the endzone for what must have been the easiest score of his career. Tino Gasser was automatic on the extra points kicking a perfect 4 of 4.
Try as they might the Jets couldn't respond before half time and a series of miscues cost them dearly. A blown snap sailed high over Dominic Olney's head leaving Coventry with a fourth and 27 on their own 6 and as the half came to a close a blocked punt heaped more pressure on the Jets already overworked defense. Things went from bad to worse as Great Britain receiver James Hossack suffered a severe knee injury in the closing stages of the half.
With a slender lead the Renegades began to work on running out the clock and held possession for virtually the entire third quarter. The Jets defense, lead by a resurgent Paul Newey, inevitably began to tire and Keith Greer took advantage with a 1 yard touchdown dive to leave Coventry in a 14-0 hole heading into the final period. The Jets responded well and Jeremy Simms, who enjoyed an incredible all round day, was close to scoring on a 32 yard reception but was forced out of bounds.
Kofi Campbell finished the job on the next play, crashing in from 1 yard out. With both Fraser Houston and new acquisition Alan Steel unavailable, the Jets travelled without a kicker, forcing them to try for 2 points. Campbell couldn't complete the trick as 3 Renegade defenders combined to eventually drag him down short of the goal line.
A further 1 yard dive from Greer put the result out of Coventry's reach as the game became more about damage limitation. Further mistakes killed off any lingering hopes of making the scoreline respectable. An interception and a muffed punt return set up the hosts to score a final touchdown, this time Joseph picked out Andres Trautmann in the back corner to complete the scoring on the games final play.
With the group stages' round robin format Coventry may still progress if Prague defeat Zurich in two weeks time & the Jets can then topple the Panthers 2 weeks after that. In order for that to happen the reigning Britbowl Champions know they have much work to do and a difficult BAFL Premier League opener versus Bristol to navigate also.