The Coventry Jets suffered an agonising defeat as they came up inches short against their heated rivals the Bristol Aztecs. The 34-32 loss marks the third time Coventry have lost to Bristol in their last four meetings. Courtney Pope's diving 16 yard touchdown grab on the final play of regulation hauled the Jets to within two but the American receiver couldn't repeat the trick on the ensuing conversion as he was ruled mere centimetres short after the play was initially called successful.
Although it ended in defeat the game showed a remarkable turnaround for a team that were well beaten just 15 days earlier. The frustrating mistakes that marred the season opener were almost entirely absent but the pivotal play of the game saw the Jets turn into their own worst enemy. Trailing by just a point in the fourth quarter a blown snap saw Fred Jones scoop up the loose ball and return it 70 yards to seemingly hand victory to the hosts.
Lorne Sam appears to have developed some chemistry with his receivers as he hooked up time and again with his prime targets, Pope and Jeremy Simms. The American quarterback completed 22 of 37 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns including the late bomb to Pope. Sam opened the scoring as he hit Simms for 15 yards in an explosive opening quarter. Derek Yenerall hit right back with a touchdown pass of his own, picking out Steve Leonard from 36 yards away.
Benjamin Barker was next on the scoreboard, his 21 yard reception put the Jets up 14-7 as Alan Steel hit his second straight extra point. The scoring continued at a frenetic pace, Yenerall hooking up with Ade Okuneye from 18 yards to tie the scores at 14-14. Both defences started to get to grips with the game before Warren Thompson broke through on a one yard dive. Bristol couldn't convert the extra point as a bad snap forced Dom Westwood to attempt a pass which sailed out of the endzone.
As the Aztecs were forced to punt on their next possession Tony Perkins broke free for a 64 yard touchdown return, with Steel's kick missing narrowly to the left the scores were once again tied and remained at 20-20 until the half. Sam hit Simms for the only score of the third quarter. After the 8 yard score Coventry opted for a two point conversion as the wind grew ever stronger, Sam's pass was caught by Simms but out of the back of the endzone.
Bristol's first possession of the fourth quarter ended with Thompson's second score as the powerful running back barrelled in from 6 yards out. A clutch defensive stand handed the Jets the ball deep in Aztec territory but Jones' fumble recovery put paid Coventry's hopes of snatching a late lead. Simms came up with an elusive kick return to put the Jets back in contention and Sam's 16 yard touchdown pass on fourth down handed Coventry an opportunity to force their first ever tied game.
It wasn't to be as, whilst Pope's feet were in the endzone, the ball never crossed the goal line. Head Coach Gerry McManus was delighted with the progress his side made since the demoralising defeat just over two weeks ago. "We've not had much to time to work on what we've been doing wrong but the progress we've made has been nothing short of phenomenal. We don't have much time to prepare for the London Blitz now as the games start to come thick and fast but we'll keep plugging away and will soon be up to speed".
You can see how the Jets fare against the reigning champions as they meet at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday the 12th of June. The action gets underway at 16:00 and entry prices are £5 for adults, £2 for Under 16s with a family ticket that covers 2 adults and 4 children for just £10. For further information on the Coventry Jets visit their website www.coventryjets.co.uk or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/CoventryJets.