Stags Run Rampant :: Wessex Scene Online

Stags Run Rampant

Stag Party: Tam Amachree wins the ball (Photo: Leigh Morris)

22nd April 2008
Paul Ovenden

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Oct 09 - Stags Split: Are They Better Off Alone
Jan 09 - Stags Run Rampant Over Bears
Dec 07 - We are Wessex, who are we?
Mar 07 - Solent stagnation may leave clubs cheerless
May 06 - Celebration for Stags

Southampton Stags crowned National Champions again after record-breaking season

Staffordshire Stallions 20
Southampton Stags 54

They say that the history books never remember the runner-up. So despite having gone undefeated all season, breaking records for points scored per game and total points scored, and even winning the John Slavin award for ‘best organized gameday experience’, the Southampton Stags knew that they still had it all to do in the 22nd College Bowl.

The BUAFL National Championship game, took place in Doncaster’s Keepmoat Athletics Stadium between the undefeated Southern Champion Stags and the undefeated Northern Champion Staffordshire Stallions.

Easter Saturday in a Northern town, sleet the night before and snow threatening throughout the region with a 45mph gale blowing in from the north, the Stags huddled together and triumphed in a 54 to 20 win over the Staffordshire Stallions to claim the right to be called 2008 National Champions.

The game was decided on the ground, the weather limiting the passing options for both teams. Instead there was a head to head battle between the much talked about Staffordshire line and the all conquering Ed Goka, who led the league with 37 touchdowns and more than 2600 yards gained in the 11 preceding games, and the Southampton offence which had quietly amassed 3375 yards and a league record 462 points in the eight game regular season.

Staffordshire started the game on the ground with Goka taking the ball, however the defensive front of Southampton was up to the task and forced an early punt. The second Stallion drive was stalled on the Southampton 24 yard line after two long gains by Goka. Then Tam arrived. Three plays were reeled off in quick succession for 72 yards capped by Michal Katnik scoring from four yards out. The pattern was set; Staffordshire could not stop the Southampton ground game and Tam, but the Stags kept Goka reigned in for most of the game.

The contest finished early in the game as the Stags defence and special teams forced six turnovers in the Stallions first eight possessions. The score at the half was 26 to 6 in favour of the Southern Champions, and finished 54 to 20 when all was done.

Tam Amachree’s crowning moment came in the third quarter. Staffordshire punted the ball deep into the Southampton half, the ball was returned 61 yards to the Staffs 19 by Ben Webb on the back of two crushing blocks from Tam. Then it happened, a moment that will be remembered by all who were there. The ball was pitched to Tam and, as he moved to his right, it appeared that he handed the ball to Dom on an end around back to the left. Tam stopped and stood with his back to the onrushing defence with the ball hidden from view. All the offence went left. All the defence went left. Tam stood still looking over his shoulder. The crowd and cameras looked left. Then with a huge grin Tam took off for the end zone and hurdled the only defender to get close on the goal line for what will be remembered as perhaps the greatest play in the 22 years of the British College Bowl. Tam finished the day with 250 yards from 25 carries and two scores, a National Title, an MVP award and a share of immortality.

Stags general manager Fergus Kehoe was understandably delighted with the result, and admitted that they couldn’t have done it on their own “the Stags would like to thank all of our friends and supporters for their commitment during our record breaking 2007-2008 Season.”

Look out for more features on the Stags coming soon in Wessex Sport, including coverage of their forthcoming City of Southampton award in May.