Games
Two valuable points earned in Białystok! Recap: Lowlanders Białystok – Warsaw Eagles
In week two of the Polish Football League we travelled to Białystok to face the local Lowlanders. The hosts made it tough, but we came away with two valuable points. Here is our game recap.
The ambitious, younger and win-hungry Białystok side showed from the opening whistle that they had no intention of letting the reigning Polish champions off the hook for even a minute. We kicked off, and on the very first play we saw the opponents score a touchdown. Brazilian Bernardo Horevitch took the ball the length of the field and finished his run in the end zone. Szymon Pietraszko added the extra point, and from the very start of the game we had to make up a seven-point deficit.
Bruno Waszkiewicz produced a very good return on the ensuing kick-off, allowing us to start our drive in the hosts' half. The Białystok players only managed to push him out of bounds around the 45-yard line. We tried to win back the lost points quickly. Mateusz Ozimek impressed on the ground and Clark Hazlett looked for Bruno Waszkiewicz through the air, but on almost every play Polish football veteran Damian Wesołowski put our players under heavy pressure. On fourth down Filip Twardowski attempted a kick at goal, but the field goal was no good. That swapped the units around, and the hosts started their next drive from around the 25-yard line.
Photo: Bartosz Tyszko
The Lowlanders kept pressing, pushing their offence towards our end zone. Bernardo Horevitch was impressive once again, and Szymon Kazberuk also made his mark. On one play Dawid Magrean came close to an interception, but the ball bounced off his hands. In the end we managed to stop the hosts' drive – and, what is more, respond to the conceded points very quickly. On our very first offensive play Clark Hazlett threw a screen pass to Krzysztof Nosow, who made a fantastic run down the sideline, leaving the hosts' defenders behind and reaching the end zone. Filip Twardowski converted the extra point and we were all square. The score stayed that way until the end of the first quarter.
We started the second quarter on offence. First Krzysztof Nosow made a superb catch, then Jan Szwej added yards on the ground. When we got just outside the Bison's end zone, Hazlett took matters into his own hands and ran it in himself. Filip Twardowski added the extra point and we could enjoy the lead.
Photo: Bartosz Tyszko
After the touchdown that put us in front, our defence also picked up some good momentum. We did not let the hosts out of their own half and forced a punt. The kick was short enough for Darius Lewis to make a modest return, carrying the ball into the opponents' half. The game swung around midfield. After a few plays Damian Wesołowski again put heavy pressure on our quarterback, bringing him down without mercy. At one point we decided to take a risk and go for it on fourth down, needing three yards for a first down. Mateusz Ozimek's run was stopped very quickly, however, and the teams changed ends. Late in the second quarter Filip Twardowski also got on the scoresheet with an accurate field goal. We went into the locker room with a ten-point lead.
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We started the third quarter with a big hit. On the very first drive of the second half we found our way into the hosts' end zone. Mateusz Ozimek ran almost 60 yards with the ball, leaving defenders in his wake, to score our third touchdown of the game. Filip Twardowski added an accurate kick and we led 24:7. The third quarter was played largely in our opponents' half. Both teams looked for their chances and traded quick tackles. Jan Sawicki made a good play for the hosts, getting to Krzysztof Nosow as he forced his way forward with the ball and bringing him down for a loss. Moments later Damian Wesołowski made his presence felt again, getting to our quarterback in a flash and knocking the ball out of his hands as he tried to throw. Fortunately, our lineman Murollo Machado kept his head, falling on the football and securing it safely.
As the minutes ticked away on the game clock, the black-and-yellows' offence began to make itself heard more and more. There were passes thrown towards the end zone and harder runs up the middle. Luckily, our defence stayed alert and did not let the Bison spread their wings, keeping the right amount of pressure on them. The final quarter passed without much incident. The game was played in the hosts' half, and neither side clearly took the initiative. On our offensive drives we tried to finish plays in bounds so the clock would run down a little faster.
As the old football saying goes – "A win is a win". It may not have been the most spectacular victory, but it showed us that during the season there will be opponents who will not hand us a win for free. A bucket of cold water just before the Easter break can only spur us on. Another two points added to the league table are what matter most. Now it is time to analyse our mistakes and enjoy a short rest around the Easter table.
Lowlanders Białystok – Warsaw Eagles 7:24 (7:7, 0:10, 0:7, 0:0)
Q1
7:0 – Bernardo Horevitch return / Szymon Pietraszko +1
7:7 – 80-yard pass from Clark Hazlett to Krzysztof Nosow / Filip Twardowski +1
Q2
7:14 – 25-yard run by Clark Hazlett / Filip Twardowski +1
7:17 – 34-yard field goal by Filip Twardowski
Q3
7:24 – 60-yard run by Mateusz Ozimek / Filip Twardowski +1
Our next game is on 12 April. This time it is a home game at the ground in Ząbki, and our next opponents will be the Warsaw Mets. Get your tickets now and come along to the derby! Excitement guaranteed!
