GB Lions feel the pain in Spain
Images courtesy of Geoff White – See more at gw-images.com
It’s taken me three months to put pen to paper (ok fingers to keyboard) to report on the GB Women’s contact team’s trip to play Spain. I was hoping that with one game left to play, the gold medals and the title of European Champions was within their grasp, with just old rivals Finland standing in their way. Unfortunately, after a second narrow defeat in a row, it’s the silver medals that are the potential prize on August 17th when GB play the Finns. If the Lions beat Finland, then both teams, along with Germany will be in a three-way tie on 2 and 2, and a complex tie-breaking process will be triggered to determine who gets which shade of precious metal. Spain, you may recall, weren’t expected to end up on the podium, but with Sweden forfeiting their last game, the Spaniards were crowned Champions of Europe having swept the other nations.
On a warm April evening in Calatayud it looked for a while like it would all go to plan for the Lions when the mercurial Siobhan Walker returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown, but as the game wore on the initial optimism gradually evaporated. Here’s how the action unfolded.
Walker and Schecter, impact players for the GB Lions
Walker’s score was converted, and the Lions had the early lead at 7-0. The Spaniards tried to run the ensuing kick-off back but made little ground as linebacker Sydney Green stuffed the ball carrier inside their own ten. Three plays later Spain set up in punt formation but faked it and tried to run. During the play the Lions suffered a crucial blow when defensive tackle Delta Npuna fell to the turf clutching her knee. It was painful to watch as she received medical treatment on the field and after some delay the ambulance was called. The incident had clearly taken the wind out of the Lions sails who looked to re-group on the sideline. Before the game could re-start a replacement ambulance had to arrive, it took almost an hour before play got back underway.
Teesside Steelers quarterback Rachael Tumelty was at the helm as the Lions began their possession on the Spanish twelve-yard line. The teams exchanged several penalties before the Brits attempted a field goal, which was unsuccessful. Spain’s offence with the talented Valverde at quarterback wasn’t having much luck either and on fourth down would look to punt the ball away, however, an errant snap flew into the endzone where the scrambling punter smothered the ball conceding a safety. The Lions extended their lead to 9-0.
The Spaniards had to kick from their twenty and the Lions offence would have another opportunity to move the chains and increase their lead. However, the Spanish defence were resolute with both Ruth Matta and Siobhan Walker being tackled in the backfield. The Brits punted it away giving the Spanish offence a chance to get a foothold in the game.
The Spaniards were starting to make progress
In a sign of what was to be the Spaniards route to success, they went to the air completing two short passes, before they ended the first quarter with a deep catch that had them at the Lions fifteen. On the next play a deep fade into the corner of the endzone was caught, touchdown Spain! They went for two with a run and were successful. They were now back in the game and only trailed by one point. GB 9, Spain 8.
On their next possession the Lions had to punt, then a surging Spanish offence turned the ball over on downs following a crunching tackle by Phoebe Schecter and Lucy Peaty. To pace Matta, Giselle Orebanwo was introduced to carry the ball, but she was caught in the backfield. The Spanish defence were now playing with great intensity and forced a fumble at the Lions two-yard line. One play later they ran the ball in for the score and followed that with a kicked conversion. They now led for the first time, GB 9 Spain 15.
With half-time fast approaching, Lions Head Coach Chris Stone would need to instill some confidence back in his players. We know Walker is always a danger on kick returns and this time she got the ball back to the Brits thirty-six yard line. With Tumelty under pressure she dinked the ball over the line into the waiting hands of Matta. Sixty yards and several missed tackles later Matta found herself in a familiar piece of real estate, the endzone! The point after kick was good making the half-time score GB 16 Spain 15.
As the second half got underway there was everything to play for. Spain had the ball first, but this quarter would be dominated by the defences. The Lions got good penetration into the Spanish backfield and caused a fumble, recovering the ball on their own forty-six. Tumelty found the reliable hands of Oli Davies on a screen pass before setting off on a scramble herself. In the ensuing chaos a Spanish defender was injured, which led to a short delay. The Lions had to punt, but their defence were eager to get them the ball back. Green delivered another crunching tackle for a loss, but Spain did manage a first down before Green picked off a pass to put the Brits in good field position. With the Lions sitting at the Spanish thirty, Matta broke a run for eight yards. As the quarter ended the Lions were looking threatening and still held a one-point lead.
Schecter on the take-down
With the pressure on them, the Spanish defence stepped up and forced the Lions to go for a field goal on fourth down. It was the same outcome as the Brits earlier attempt in the game and they turned the ball over to the Spanish. Now running out of time, Spain looked to make some yards on the ground, but they were turned back by a resolute British defence, forcing them into a punting situation. The snap came back low, and the punter was tackled. The Lions were on the Spanish twenty-five and had the chance to put the game out of reach, alas four plays later they tried a short pass, but it went incomplete and they turned the ball over on downs. Would Spain go back to the air where they had seen great success in the first half? indeed they would. A deep completion saw them sitting at the GB thirty. A breakaway run saw them advance to the Lions twenty before Abi Coleman made a touchdown saving tackle. Keeping it on the ground they couldn’t secure the yards they needed thanks to tackles from Rebecca Martin and Phoebe Schecter and the Lions took over on their own ten. The Spanish defence stifled any attempt by the Brits to get down the field and they forced the punt.
Ruth Matta played some defence too
With little time left the Spanish offence started at their own forty-eight. Bravely, at fourth and four they went for it and secured the first down via a completed screen pass. They were now at the Lions fifteen and flooded receivers into the endzone, the result? a touchdown deep left! They went for the two-point conversion but failed. With under a minute left the Spanish led 21-16. It was now all or nothing time for the Lions and when Walker returned the kick-off to the midfield stripe, they saw a chink of light. Two incomplete passes were followed by an excellent completion to Walker, taking the Brits to the Spanish thirty. Sydney Geen and her big arm came in at quarterback, but on fourth down the deep pass attempt fell incomplete and the game, along with the Lions chance of securing the gold medals was over.
Spain's offence had just enough to get the win
Football can be cruel, expectations can be dashed in a matter of seconds, but the beauty of the game is that you never win or lose in isolation. It’s a collaborative effort where you always have your team mates to pick you up and go again. With their home fans cheering them on at Six Ways Stadium, that’s what the Lions must do on August 17th.