2005 Season

Fixtures & Results 2005
Press Releases & Match Reports
Season Review and Presentations
Full Team Stats for 2005 Season compiled by Bill Gibson
Team Roster 2005

Fixtures & Results 2005

Pre Season				W/L	For	Agst

Regular Season (all home games Gateshead Stadium K.O 2.30pm)
Week	Date	Opponent	Venue	W/L	For	Agst
1	03 Apr	East Kilbride Pirates	H	Won	25	14
2	10 Apr
3	17 Apr	Birmingham Bulls	H	Lost	25	38
4	24 Apr
5	01 May
6	08 May	Nottingham Caesars	H	Won	28	6
7	15 May
8	22 May	Staffordshire Surge	H	Won	50	0
9	29 May
10	05 Jun	Doncaster Mustangs	A	Won	33	19
11	12 Jun
12	19 Jun
13	26 Jun	ASAP Yorkshire Rams	H	Won	42	6
14	03 Jul
15	10 Jul	Birmingham Bulls	A	Lost	10	26
16	17 Jul
17	24 Jul
18	31 Jul
19	07 Aug	ASAP Yorkshire Rams	A	Won	32	7
20	14 Aug	Chester Romans	A	Won	50	0
21	21 Aug	East Kilbride Pirates	A	Won	36	0

Regular Season Standings
Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	%
10	8	2	0	80%

Post season
Date	Opponent	Venue	W/L	For	Agst
4 Sep	Southern Sundevils (KO 2 pm)	Home	Lost	3	6
This defeat in the 'sudden death' playoffs ended the Senators' 2005 season.

This updated 4 Sep 2005

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Press Releases & Match Reports

Senators play the Best

The league structure for 2005 is now taking shape. The Senators are in the top echelon along with the other top teams in the country.
The alignments are:
Division 1 North: ASAP Yorkshire Rams, Birmingham Bulls, East Kilbride Pirates, Gateshead Senators.
Division 1a North: Chester Romans, Doncaster Mustangs, Nottingham Caesars, Staffordshire Surge.
Division 1 South: London Olympians, MCP Ipswich Cardinals, Personal Assurance Knights, Southern Sundevils.
Division 1a South: Bristol Aztecs, Cambridgeshire Cats, Chiltern Cheetahs, London Blitz.
The Senators will be playing East Kilbride, Yorkshire, Birmingham, Staffordshire and Nottingham at home, and East Kilbride, Yorkshire, Birmingham, Doncaster and Chester away.
The schedule of fixtures should be known in early February.

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Senators surpass Scots

Gateshead Senators 25 - East Kilbride Pirates 14

Pete Rogers' first start as Senators' quarterback saw Duncan French score four touchdowns as Gateshead opened their 2005 season with an emphatic 25-14 home win over Scottish powerhouse East Kilbride Pirates.

Pete Rogers takes the helm

With his kicking boots on, Pete Rogers kicked off for the Senators which resulted as so often in a touchback. Pirates' quarterback Lee Fraser, the former Senators' QB, was picked off but the Senators lost the chance to capitalise when the ball was fumbled on the Pirates' 10 yard line and recovered by the Scots. The Senators' defense held firm and East Kilbride had to punt, with the Senators starting their next possession on the Pirates' 35 yard line. The Gateshead 'O' line then sprung Duncan French free for a 23 yard TD run to open the scoring. The two point attempt failed leaving the score at the end of the first quarter 6-0 to the home team.

Senators' defense stops the run

The Gateshead 'D' got the ball back for the Senators and after Richard Green's superb 59 yard catch from Pete Rogers, Dr. Duncan French went in from 4 yards to double the score. Once again though the 2 point option was batted away by the Pirates' defense. Gateshead forced East Kilbride to punt, but the Scottish defense returned the favour with Gary Marshall punting back to the Pirates. Matt McCusker broke the plane with a one yard lunge to put the Scots on the scoreboard. The Senators defense thwarted the two point attempt. The Senators' next drive ended when Pete Rogers was intercepted by Ross Templeton, but the favour was returned when Matt McCusker, now at quarterback for east Kilbride, was intercepted by Charlie Heathcote. The first half ended with the 12-6 scoreline.


Senators prepare for the second half	Versatile Pete Rogers kicks the PAT

Senators defense holds firm

After the break, Ed Morgan got the Senators fired up with a 56 yard punt return, Gateshead making good use of the field position with a scoring capped by Duncan French's 1 yard scoring run. Pete Rogers kicked the extra point to bring the score to 19-6. Matt McCusker was again intercepted, this time by Richie Cowell, and Gateshead took full advantage when excellent blocking freed Duncan French for a 69 yard scoring sprint to close the third quarter 25-6.

Duncan French alone in the endzone

The dominant Senators were in celebratory mood, and started to relax too early, only to be given a sharp reminder that it's only the final whistle that counts when McCusker connected with a wide open David Mooney who went all the way for the touchdown to bring the score to 25-12. The Pirates took advantage when Jonathan Chilton caught McCusker's two point throw to bring the score to 25-14. With time running short, the Scots tried an onside kick but Gateshead took possession. East Kilbride had one more drive, but the Senators' defense was now once more alert and the score remained 25-14 at the end.

This is an excellent start for the Senators season, as they had not been able to arrange any pre season action. Pete Rogers remarked, "It's going to get better!". He has certainly made a good start which can only impress the GB Lions coaches when he tries out for the national team later this month.

MVP Awards

Game	Dr Duncan French
Offense	Rich Green
Defense	Paul 'Uncle' Anderson

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Bulls battle Senators for win

Gateshead Senators 25 Birmingham Bulls 38

Duncan French pounding out yardage

The Birmingham Bulls beat Gateshead at home in a game that was at times much closer than the final scoreline 25-38 would suggest. The Senators looked unpractised and disconnected for much of the first half despite taking an early lead.

(Birmingham were playing in the orange tops, borrowed from the Senators.)

Duncan French in the endzone

Gateshead received the kick off but were damaged by penalties and had to punt. The Bulls' first possession didn't reach a first down, thanks to strong defense and in particular a superb tackle by Paul 'Uncle' Anderson. The Birmingham defense was equally strong and the Senators' next drive was saved only by Gateshead QB Pete Rogers' 4th down run to keep the drive alive. This paid off with Duncan French going 21 yards to open the scoring for the home side. The two point attempt was no good, giving Gateshead a 6 - 0 lead. Birmingham showed their class with an excellent drive in response, moving rapidly downfield culminating in Matt Phillips' scoring catch from QB Stuart Ennis. The first quarter ended 6-6.


Craig Million adds yards	Senators D flatten the runner

Duncan French - hard to bring down

The Senators' drive was killed by an interception and Birmingham struck again with a Stuart Ennis 3 yard pass to Matt Phillips to take the lead 6-12. Gateshead had to punt their next drive with Gary Marshall consistently putting the ball out at or near 'coffin corner'. Despite a deep sack of Ennis by Senator Richie Cowell, the Bulls kept moving and Ennis completed a 45 yard scoring pass to Joe Black to make the score 6-18. Again the 2 point conversion failed. QB Pete Rogers led the Senators on an excellent drive mixing run and pass to get down to the Bulls' 3 yard line, but was beaten by the end of the half, with the score still 6-18.


Senators O line clears a path for Duncan	Pete Rogers kicks off for a touchback

Richard Green's 62 yard score

Birmingham's first drive of the second half was stopped by Richard Nice's interception of Stuart Ennis for a revitalised Senators. Gateshead used their chance bringing the ball down to the Bulls' goal line, Pete Rogers going in from one yard behind a big push from the Senators' offensive line bringing the score to 12-18, and again the two point attempt failed. Gateshead's lifted spirits fell again swiftly when Joe Black returned the kick off over 80 yards for the score, which after another failed 2 pt attempt, brought the score to 12-24. The Gateshead offense rose to the occasion though with Rogers' next drive ending with Richard Green's 62 yard touchdown catch and run to make the score (the two pointer failed of course) to 18-24, and the Bulls knew they had a fight on their hands. Ennis replied with a 45 yard TD strike to Matt Phillips to regain the two score margin at 18-30. A fumbled snap by Birmingham was recovered by the Senators. Richard Green made a superb deep catch which would have given the Senators excellent field position, but it was said Green did not have proper control of the ball before he was tackled. The Senators punted, but then so did the Bulls.


Green has the ball and is tackled	Green is down - and still has the ball	Only now does the ball pop loose.

In the fourth quarter, the Senators drove down to the Bulls' endzone with the running of Duncan French and Mikey Rumney's blocking ending with Craig Million boosting the Gateshead scoreline with a one yard run to make the score 24-30. Pete Rogers kicked the extra point to make it 25-30.


Craig Million goes over from the 1 yd line	Pete Rogers kicks the extra point from the sure hold of Gary McNaughton

The Senator D swarms the runner

But Gateshead had to punt their next drive away and Birmingham used their time to get downfield and Ennis to throw a 3 yard score to Matt Phillips. Their two point attempt was good making the score 25-38. Gateshead put together a good drive to get into Bulls' territory but lost the ball on downs, having failed on a fourth down to get the yardage. The Bulls took the ball and shortly afterwards took the knee to end the game.

MVP Awards

Game	Paul 'Uncle' Anderson
Offense	Ian Fraser
Defense	Rich Marshall

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Variable Senators beat determined Caesars

Gateshead Senators 28 Nottingham Caesars 6

Gateshead Senators were as changeable as the weather against the Caesars, switching as quickly from excellent execution to incoherent incompetence as did the weather from bright sun to hail showers. But two first half running scores from Duncan French and two second half scoring passes by Pete Rogers were enough to gain the win.


Duncan French in motion, Pete Rogers calls the play	Duncan French runs through the hail and the endzone for six (Photo: Derek Morgan)

Duncan French lands for the second score
(Photo: Derek Morgan)

The Senators dominated the first quarter with Nottingham unable to gain a first down for some time. But the Caesar's defense was equally mean, and both teams traded punts. Gateshead kept up the pressure and the result was Andy Sinclair's fumble recovery for the Senators which led rapidly to Duncan French's 10 yard touchdown run. The two point attempt failed. Nottingham's next drive was killed when Senator Matthew Kidd pounced on a fumble to give Pete Rogers the ball back. The drive ended with Duncan French again going in from 3 yards out, sprung by the powerful right of the Gateshead 'O' line. The two point again failed, making the score at the quarter end 12 - 0.

Caesars' D break up another Gateshead play

The change of ends and weather and the heavens opened seemed to affect both teams. As the Senators receiving team tried to get their hands on the punted ball, Nottingham swept in and recovered their own punt. Gateshead then tried to get every penalty in the book as they just gave yardage away to the Caesars with one yellow flag after another. Nottingham's Scott Messom was very grateful and ran in the score from 3 yards out. Lee Stone's PAT was blocked by Gateshead. The Senators had to give up the ball on downs on their next possession, and then so did Nottingham. The Caesars' defense punished every mistake the Senators made pushing them deep against their own endzone on fourth and a bus ride. But Gary Marshall's high hanging punt was recovered by the Senators, and enables Pete Rogers to drive right down to the Nottingham goal line, where the Caesars put up a superb four down goal line stand to keep the score at 12 - 6 at the half.


Ed Morgan returns the punt	Defensive coach Mark Sloan lays it on the line

Ed Morgan makes the tackle

The Senators' coaches were not nice at half time and as the sun shone again, so Gateshead recovered, stated immediately by a long 45 yard run by Duncan French to take the game back to the Caesars. Nottingham met the challenge and forced Gateshead to punt. But then they went 4 and out and Pete Rogers capped the drive with a 17 yard pass to Richard Green for the score, with Mikey Rumney barging in for the two points. The third quarter ended with Danny Thompson recovering a fumble to give Gateshead the ball again and the score at 20 - 6.


Richard Green makes the scoring catch	Danny Thompson recovers the fumble

Into the fourth quarter and the Senators soon increased the lead with a 78 yard scoring pass from Pete Rogers to Cheyne McDonald. John Harrison scampered through to get the extra two points. Gateshead soon had the ball back but Rogers was intercepted by Shaun Chambers. Nottingham drove well, but lost the ball on fourth down after what must rate as one of the closest measures recorded. The Senators then ran the clock out to seal the win at 28 - 6.


Cheyne McDonald with a 78 yard TD catch	Close or what! But not a first down. Senators' ball!

MVP Awards

Game	Ed Morgan
Offense	David Nimmins
Defense	Danny Thompson

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"Carpet Carrier" calls it a day

Mark Hume, the tough, quiet guy in the heart of the battle that makes so many plays happen, is having to give up the game he loves.
He has written to his "Sunday Family" outlining the reasons with a recurrence of an old injury and his play falling below the standard he expects of himself.
Mark wants to stay involved with the Senators, but sadly, after a twenty year playing career with never a touchdown, that won't be on the field.
Mark's Visitor Book Entry

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Pre-game silence in memory of Collis Seale-McConnie of London Olympians

Senators surge past Staffs

Gateshead Senators 50 Staffordshire Surge 0

Gateshead Senators shone both sides of the ball with a defensive shutout and seven players scoring eight touchdowns as Gateshead dominated Staffordshire.

The Senators made their mark quickly as Surge went four and out - Ed Morgan returned the punt 58 yards for the opening score. Surge again could not achieve a first down and on Gateshead's subsequent drive quarterback Peter Rogers gained long yardage on two successive bootlegs. The drive was capped with Duncan French scoring from 8 yards out. At the quarter's end the score was 12 - 0.


Pete Rogers scrambles for first down yardage.	Duncan French keeps hold of the ball

Dave Wilson #21 catches for six points

The rout continued in the second period with Dave Wilson's 15 yard TD catch to make the score 18 - 0. Surge then drove downfield, their game improving but Ross Elliott caught the interception at the Gateshead one yard line and went the length of the pitch, surrounded by the Gateshead 'D' all the way to the endzone for a 24 - 0 scoreline. Surge did not give up though and followed with a good drive ending in a 25 yard field goal attempt which fell just below the bar after a miskick. The brought the half to a close at 24 - 0.

Craig Million has the ball in the endzone

In the third quarter the teams traded punts until a Senator drive resulted in Craig Million scoring with a run from 17 yards out to bring it to 30 - 0.


Head Coach Gary Marshall confers with the referee	David Nimmins catches for a first down

Richard Green catches for a touchdown

The fourth quarter saw Gateshead pile on more pressure with a fumble recovery by Paul Anderson for the home team, the possession leading to Richard Green's touchdown catch from Pete Rogers. Danny Thompson then recovered a fumble to halt the Surge's next drive, this time it was Dave Wilson who caught the 15 yard throw from Rogers to raise the score to 42 - 0. Ellis caught the 2 point toss to make it 44 - 0. Adam Mennim followed with a third fumble recovery for the Senators' defense in the quarter. As the game time expired, a penalty flag was thrown, which meant the final play had to be repeated. Lee Fraser, now at QB for Gateshead once more, connected with David 'Phoenix' Nimmins for the touchdown from 21 yards to make the final score 50-0.


Dave Wilson #21 scoring his second TD	David Nimmins comes down inbounds with the ball for the final score

MVP Awards

Game	D. Line
Offense	David Wilson
Defense	Ross Elliot

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Duncan does for Doncaster

Doncaster Mustangs 19 Gateshead Senators 33

With four of Gateshead's five scores against the Mustangs, Duncan French earned his Game MVP in the Senators' decisive win away at Doncaster.

Duncan French had 21 carries for 296 yards and four scores, the remaining scoring being a TD run by John Harrison and extra points from the boot of Pete Rogers. In what was mainly a running attack on the day, Duncan mixed his scores with two 1 yards runs and 45 and 60 yard scoring runs

Match Report by Gary Marshall:

The Senators were missing some key personnel on both 'O' & 'D' but still had confidence in their squad's ability to get the job done.

This expectation was not helped when LB Richard Nice injured his knee in the pre-game warm up in a freak collision with his own players and was ruled out before a ball had been snapped!

The Mustangs took the opening kick off and were determined to keep their long winning streak intact, their last loss, in fact, coming at the hands of the Senators some 17 games and 22 months ago.

Unfortunately for Doncaster the Senators 'D' was in no mood to be generous and with some good play from the D Line, the Mustangs went 4 & out on their first drive.

The Senators 'O' moved ball until the Mustangs 'D' stiffened and had the 'O' facing a fourth and 5 from the 30 yd line, RB #35 John Harrison got the necessary yards on the fourth down attempt with a trap play behind some good 'O' line blocks (something that was to become a feature of the game all day).

Duncan French

Two plays later RB #28 Duncan French plunged over from the 1yd line for the go ahead score. The 2pt conversion was good but called back for holding, the ensuing XP kick attempt was no good due to a bad snap.

Doncaster's next drive was stopped when DL Derek Parry's big hit on the WR caused the ball to pop up into the air where the grateful hands of LB Tom Evans were waiting, he returned the Int. for 5 yds to give the Senators good field position. As often happens on turn overs the ball was soon back in Doncaster hands when two plays later the normally safe hands of French spilled the ball on the handoff and the Mustangs fell on the loose ball.

Doncaster's 'O' took full advantage of the possession when Running back ~32 Paul Tiggardine evaded the Senators 'D' for a long run to the endzone and with the XP good Doncaster took a 7 - 6 lead.

Their joy was to be short-lived though when Gateshead opened the 2nd Quarter with French scampering down the sideline for a 60yd TD after some excellent blocking from the right side of Gateshead's 'O' line from Guard Ben Johnson and Tackle Steve Hudson. The XP kick was again unsuccessful due to a poor exchange between snapper and holder.

Doncaster tried moving the ball through the air but good pass defence from Gateshead broke up the attack with corner Ross Elliott batting down a long pass attempt. The Mustangs ground game was having no better success with Senators' D line in a determined mood, DT Rich 'Phallus' Marshall making some outstanding tackles behind the line for big losses.

John Harrison

The Senators moved the ball on the floor and when RB John Harrison exploded downfield for a long run the Gateshead 'O' were in scoring distance again. French finished off the drive going airborne from the 1yd line for his 3rd TD. With the snap and hold now sorted, Pete Rogers booted the XP.

Doncaster then replied with their best drive of the day taking the kick-off and marching downfield with some good running from Tiggardine and Viscomi. They capped off this fine series with a 5yd TD pass from QB #10 Lightfoot to WR #88 Paul Weston, the XP attempt was no good and the half ended with Gateshead up by 19 points to 13.

The Senators took the ball to open the second half and mounted a 6 play drive but were halted by some determined 'D' from the Mustangs and when Pete Rogers field goal attempt sailed narrowly wide Doncaster took over. The Senators defence replied in kind and stopped Doncaster's drive when DB Dave Fillingham stepped in front of a pass intended for Weston and returned the interception 5yds.

Lee Fraser

John Harrison got on the score sheet with a 6yd trap play from a Lee Fraser (now in at QB), handoff following another long gain from French and Rogers kicked the XP to extend the lead to 26 - 13.

Doncaster could make no headway against the Senators 'D' on the ground with Rich Marshall and Adam Ledner in the thick of things and when DB #3 Richie Cowell defended a long pass attempt the 3rd quarter ended as the Mustangs turned over the ball on downs.

Mikey Rumney

French was soon back in action again and behind a crushing block from FB #33 Mikey Rumney added to his TD haul with a 45 yd run to the EZ. The XP attempt was again good from the reliable boot of Rogers.

Doncaster didn't give up however and with Mike Hibbert now in at QB, marched the ball downfield he managed to find an open Weston for the wide receivers second TD reception of the day; the Senators 'D' stepped up and blocked the XP attempt. When the offense took over with Lee Fraser in at QB, Gateshead moved the ball downfield and French nearly went 'nap' for the day on another long run but was tackled just short of the 10yd line. Gateshead then ran out the clock to seal the 33 - 19 win.

Gateshead must now get ready for the visit of the Yorkshire Rams.

MVP Awards

Game	Duncan French
Offense	The O Line
Defense	Rich Marshall
Bag of Nuts	Lee Fraser

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Richard rams it to Yorkshire

Gateshead Senators 42 ASAP Yorkshire Rams 6

The Senators put on a display of offensive power as Richard Green caught for 227 yards and six touchdowns and the defense, depleted by GB, holiday and work commitments demonstrated the depth of the Senator defensive unit.

Andy Goodhead - ground gainer

Gateshead kicked off with the powerful boot of Pete Rogers, and the Rams drove rapidly downfield with a strong running game that had the Gateshead defensive unit looking amateur. With seven regulars missing, other Senators had stepped up, including the recently self retired Mark Hume, to fill the breach. But they held on and Yorkshire had to give up the ball. The Gateshead offense was also missing some key personnel but the absence of Duncan French was not a factor as Andy Goodhead piled on the yards. He with Mikey Rumney and John Harrison formed the basis of the Gateshead ground game all day. But it was in the air that the scores came and the first of six connections from QB Pete Rogers to Richard Green came on the Senators' next drive from 18 yards. With the boot of Pete Rogers adding the PAT, the home side were leading 7-0.


Rogers' PAT sails clear, ballboy Liam Wooton wonders how far it will go!	Richard Green in the endzone again

John Harrison gets yardage, blocking courtesy of Mikey Rumney

#35 John Harrison gets yardage, blocking courtesy of #33 Mikey Rumney

Ed Morgan showed the revived defense when he sacked the Rams' QB, leading to an early punt which, to compound Yorkshire's woes, was blocked giving Gateshead the ball just 16 yards out. A couple of plays later, after a 5 yard penalty, Rogers and Green combined for the second score from 20 yards. The 2 point attempt failed. The next Yorkshire drive was thwarted by the swarming defense with notable tackles from Danny Thompson and they had to punt, but the Rams defense was fighting back and Gateshead had to settle for a 35 yard field goal attempt which was, unusually for Pete Rogers at that range, too short. But the Senators 'D' soon had the ball back when step-up Mark Hume made a fumble recovery. Rogers and Green lost no time and the next score was a 43 yard catch. Richard Green then caught the two point catch to bring the score at the end of the quarter to 21-0.

Richard Green outpaces everyone on his way for another score.

The Rams had to punt and immediately the confidence of the Gateshead attack was shown with an 80 yard touchdown strike from Pete Rogers to Richard Green, Gary Marshall kicking the PAT from Lee Fraser's hold to raise the score to 28-0. The Rams fought on though and Stuart Jones raised spirits for Yorkshire with an interception of Pete Rogers. Despite Yorkshire QB Josh Warehime being sacked by step-up Roy Davis, Paul Goodwin put fresh heart into the Rams with his 8 yard touchdown run. The Rams 2 point try failed. Gateshead soon replied with another Rogers - Green hook up, this time from 15 yards, and Rogers 2 point pass to Lee Fraser made the score 36-6. The Rams' next drive was effectively stopped when Rich Marshall sacked Warehime and this brought the half to a close.


Green in the endzone for the score	Green still pursued...	Green chased from the endzone...	...and pushed into the metal railings

While Gary Marshall gets the punt away, Ed Morgan and Rams Tim Adams race away

The first half had been unusually long in real time, over 90 minutes so perhaps that explains why after the break the game seemed tired and some momentum was lost. The teams traded punts and possessions with the closest to a score coming when Pete Rogers' long field goal attempt was just wide. At the end of the third, the score remained 36-6.

Rams kneel in homage as Richard Green makes another catch.

In the fourth period, Mark Hume, who was having an excellent game, sacked Warehime, and an immediate further sack caused the Rams to punt. But Gateshead could not capitalise as Yorkshire showed all the grit and determination the county is noted for. But the Rams' next drive was killed when the quiet man of the Gateshead defense, Richie Cowell, intercepted Warehime. This led to the sixth touchdown pass from Rogers to Richard Green, this from 13 yards. The 2 point play failed. Rich Marshall again sacked the Rams QB and the game finally ended after a long hot afternoon with Gateshead winners 42-6.

MVP Awards

Game	The entire Defense
Offense	Rich Green
Defense	The entire Defense
Bag of Nuts	Ed Morgan

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Senators give up early lead to Bulls

Birmingham Bulls 26 Gateshead Senators 10

Sunday July 10th 2005 - The Pavilion, Moor Lane

Match report and pictures courtesy of the Birmingham Bulls

The Birmingham Bulls defeated the Gateshead Senators in another classic encounter to secure the Northern Division Conference for the Bulls for first time in 4 years with a 26 to 10 victory.

Pete Rogers launches a long pass
(Photo: Birmingham Bulls)

Gateshead marched into Moor Lane with ambitions of reversing the outcome early in the season when the Bulls won a thriller 33 to 25 to hold the advantage, but a Senator win would see the whole Division race blown wide open. The Bulls simply could not afford to lose.

The Senators, on the back of a strong winning streak of their own and took the opening drive and marched down the field with a mixture of strong running from RB Duncan French and a couple of accurate throws from QB Pete Rogers that accumulated in a 30 yard strike being pulled in by a great catch despite the presence of both CB Duvalle Merchant and Kevin 'Magic' Joseph. The PAT was good and the visitors led 7-0.

#20 Ed Morgan helps stop the run
(Photo: Birmingham Bulls)

The Bulls responded well and also moved the ball well behind the elusive running of RB Kofi Campbell and the arm of QB Stuart Ennis who moved the ball inside the Senator 30 yard line, however, the drive ended when the Bulls committed 3 penalties that took them well out of scoring position and had to punt. The Senators then took over and were again able to move the football on a Bulls defence, led by Nigel Dias, that although were tackling hard and making penetration were not stopping the Senators on 3rd down and the found themselves knocking at the Bulls end zone again. But up stepped the Big Bulls D, and big sacks from LB Roberto Monfardini and then by Mark Pagett took them out of scoring position.

The Bulls then took over and moved the ball again successfully behind OL Owen Powis and Dave Moore and it was again Kofi Campbell that found the end zone on a 1 yard run. The drive had some particularly challenging 3rd downs the best of the bunch, a 12 yard pass form Ennis to WR Dave Winter on 3rd and 11. Unfortunately Winter missed the PAT and the Bulls were still down.


Duncan French outpaces the defense (Photo: Birmingham Bulls)	Duncan French finds the gap (Photo: Birmingham Bulls)

But as the second half started winding down, the Senators again found the strength the force the Bulls back and with only 10 seconds left on the clock, QB turned kicker Rogers thumped a 40 yard field goal to give Gateshead a 10 to 6 half time lead.

Duncan French declines the Bulls' invitation to stop
(Photo: Birmingham Bulls)

The Bulls needed to respond to the Senators strong first half display in order to claim the division and did so immediately when Joe Black claimed the second half kick off and raced 80 yards behind a great block from Mark Pagett in the wedge and then key blocks from Matt Barrett and Brendan Cunnane that sprung the Bulls leading touchdown scorer. A successful PAT gave the Bulls their first lead at 13 to 10.

The Senators were shaken and it wasn't long before the Bulls were pushing hard again, Ennis hit Winter on 2 first down passes and Campbell started to churn out the yardage with a vintage display of power and heart. And it was the threat of another Campbell run that allowed Stuart Ennis to run untouched for 15 yards to increase the Bulls lead to 20 to 10 with a true generals TD.

Adam Mennim gets the ball carrier
(Photo: Birmingham Bulls)

The 4th quarter had the Senators throwing everything they could at the Bulls trying to get back into the game but the Bulls were not selling any comeback tickets today as the blitzes from Monfardini and LB Ed Winter punished Rogers continually and the secondary knocking away any threat that came their way and when the pressure got too much for the Senator QB, Ahmed Hashin stepped in front of a end zone thrown pass and made the interception. RB Paul Duncan completed the scoring on a 10 yard run that gave the home team not only the game but the Northern Division with a 26 to 10 win.

After the game the Bulls were sad to hear that the popular Birmingham factory 'Flags' had all of its stock blown out of the storage room during the game due a sudden gust of wind. The factory, that produces household yellow dusters for the general consumer, had its entire stock of yellow flags blown across Birmingham, the majority of which were blown onto the Bulls playing field at Moor Lane. Bulls fans said "It seemed as if every time we looked up, there was another one of these yellow hankies lying on the floor, they were everywhere. The zebras tried to remove them but before you knew it, there was another one on the grass. I couldn't believe it. I counted at least 19 of them throughout the day. Absolutely ridiculous."

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Mark bows out Defensive standout Mark Lindsey has bowed out of the "Sunday family" after nineteen years. In a statement on the club's website Visitor Book, Marks says that due to "ever increasing work and personal commitments" he is no longer able to give the club the commitment he believes it take to play.

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Senators earn home playoffs with EKP win

East Kilbride Pirates 0 Gateshead Senators 36

Report courtesy of East Kilbride Pirates

Gateshead Senators sealed second place in the Division 1 Northern Conference, with an easier than expected win away to the Pirates on Sunday. The win also secures home field advantage in the National play-offs for the Senators, while East Kilbride are left with the long trip to confront the London Olympians on September 4th.

Ed Morgan on an earlier punt return

The Pirates received the opening kick-off, but immediately went 3-and-out. Steven Wilson punted the ball away, but Gateshead's Ed Morgan returned it 53 yards for the opening score. Veteran kicker Gary Marshall added the conversion to make it 7-0 in the visitors' favour. Things didn't get any better for the Pirates on their next possession, when QB Matt McCusker was picked off on first down. The Senators quickly capitalised on the good field position when David Nimmins pulled in a 4 yard pass from Pete Rogers and Marshall again converted. As the quarter progressed, East Kilbride looked to have reduced the leeway when McCusker found David Mooney in splendid isolation for a 57-yard touchdown, only for it to be called back on a needless penalty for a block in the back. That lack of discipline was to hurt the home side throughout the early stages, with penalties regularly leaving them in poor field positions. Gateshead however were only too happy to take advantage of this and scored a third TD before the first period had expired. This time it was Mark Hume who ran the ball home from 3 yards and Marshall added the extra point. The Pirates now had a mountain to climb as the game moved into the second quarter.

Richard Green catches against Surge (22 May)

East Kilbride continued to struggle on offence, and failed to put together a sustained drive at any time. The Senators showed how it should be done, when Richard Green caught a 10 yard Rogers pass in the endzone despite the presence of no fewer than three Pirates defensive backs. Marshall successfully converted once more to make it 28-0 in favour of Gateshead. The teams traded possession for the remainder of the half without further addition to the scoreboard.


Mark Hume - 1st career TD	Lee Fraser - back with the 'Sunday Family'

The third quarter did see some improvement on both sides of the ball for the home side, but that didn't prevent Gateshead extending their lead on a 13-yard John Harrison run. Pete Rogers then passed to tight-end Lee Fraser, a former Pirate, for the 2-point conversion to end the scoring at 36-0. East Kilbride had several attempts at gaining at least a consolation score, but it wasn't to be, on a day that they will be keen to forget.

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Slender Score scuppers Senators' Season

Gateshead Senators 3 Southern Sundevils 6

Cheyne McDonald makes the catch
(Photo: Andy Goodhead)

A sliver of the ball breaking the plane on a goal line play for six points was enough to counter the powerful boot of Pete Rogers' 45 yard field goal to send the Senators home and the Sundevils to Surrey next Sunday after what must rank as one of the most tightly fought games in the league this year.

A feast of flags

If either team thought the other was going to be a walkover, then both were sadly mistaken. Tension started early with a penalty against Gateshead for defensive pass interference, quickly followed in the same Southern drive by a series of flags against the Sundevils as the officials determined to make their mark early. Gateshead regained the ball with a Ross Elliott interception of the Sundevils' American QB Eric Lewis, but the Gateshead offense could not capitalise and the teams traded punts for the rest of the quarter.


Senator defense stop the run	and even Lewis's frequent scrambles

Rich Marshall sacks Eric Lewis
(Photo: Andy Goodhead)

The second quarter saw a little more action, but Senator QB Pete Rogers was having problems sustaining a drive in the air, and being intercepted by Sundevil Dale Powell didn't help. Eric Lewis was sacked by Rich Marshall and Southern had to punt, but a mix up on the Senator receiving team allowed the Sundevils to recover their own punt. But the Gateshead defense held firm once more ending the drive. Ross Elliott got his second interception of Lewis, and Rogers started to find some rhythm with passes to Richard Green and running by Duncan French and John Harrison. But the half ended scoreless under the baking sun.


Duncan French brought down, and the official is the other side.	Richard Green lands with a diving catch

David Nimmins celebrates a spectacular diving catch

The stalemate was broken in the third quarter. The Sundevils had brought another Gateshead offensive drive to a stop but the strong boot of Pete Rogers enabled the Senators to go for the field goal and Pete Rogers' kick was good from 45 yards to put the first points on the board. But then each team found the other hard to break, with the Sundevil defense stopping the Senators despite some good gains with the ground game, and the Senator defense shutting down the Sundevils' passing game and limiting the ground game.

Duncan French fends off the Sundevils

The fourth quarter started with a further exchange of punts and it looked as though Gateshead could get through with that field goal. But then Roland Quayle intercepted Pete Rogers and achieved excellent field position for the Sundevils. In the last minutes of the game Scott Miller brought Southern a 1st and goal at the 6. A play later and the ball was millimetres from the goal line. On the snap there was a surge of Sundevil yellow and Senator white above which reached forward a yellow clad arm holding the ball which was then knocked back. It would all depend whether the ball had broken the plane. Southern gleefully indicated Touchdown, while Gateshead shook their heads. The officials made no signal. The argument raged around the pile up and after 28 seconds, the referee signalled for the Southern score. Their two point attempt was no good, making the score 3-6. Another Senator drive came to nothing and the game ended as Southern were about to take possession again.


Duncan French slips the tackle (Photo: Andy Goodhead)	Richard Green beats the coverage (Photo: Andy Goodhead)

So it's Southern Sundevils who progress to meet their division rivals PA Knights, Gateshead's dream is over - but only for this year.

MVP Awards

Game
Offense
Defense
Bag of Nuts

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Junior Gridiron in Gateshead

Gateshead Senators have announced that they are recruiting a junior team for the 2006 season.

To be eligible to play kitted junior football all players must be aged between 16 and 18 years of age. A meeting then short training session will be held this Sunday 11th December at 11.30 am at Gateshead Stadium. All players who wish to play for the team are welcome to attend.

Anyone requiring further information can contact David Wilson on 07710477798.

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Battle for top honours at Senators' Awards

Players' Player: Duncan French

It was a battle for bragging rights at the Gateshead Senators' Annual Presentation Night.

The North East's top American football team was giving out team awards after their successful 2005 season in which they got as far as the playoffs, going out at the quarter final stage.

The event was held at "The Gate" in Newcastle on Saturday 10 December.

Three players each earned three awards, Duncan French, Richard Green and Richard Marshall. Running Back Duncan was Game MVP (Most Valued Player) in the home game against East Kilbride and also in the away game at Doncaster. Dr. French also scooped the coveted "Players' Player" Award, chosen by his teammates.

Speedy Wide Receiver Richard Green was the MVP on Offense at home to East Kilbride, and against Yorkshire Rams, taking Offensive Player of the Year as well.

Defensive key man Rich Marshall was Defensive MVP at home to Birmingham and away to Doncaster and he was Defensive Player of the Year.

All awards were tightly contested. Head Coach and Club Chairman Gary Marshall said,

"We have had an excellent season, although we lost a couple of games we really could have, and should have won. With our youth programme and links with local university teams, the Senators' 'Sunday Family' is well set for 2006."

The full list of awards presented by Head Coach Gary Marshall:

MVPs

East Kilbride Pirates (H)


O: Rich Green		D: Paul 'Uncle' Anderson

Game: Duncan French

Birmingham Bulls (H)


O: Ian 'Fraz' Fraser		D: Rich 'Phallus' Marshall

Game: Paul 'Uncle' Anderson

Nottingham Caesars (H)

O: David Nimmins (not present), D: Danny Thompson (not present)

Game: Ed Morgan

Surge (H)


O: Dave Wilson		D: Ross Elliot

Game: D line (not presented)

Doncaster Mustangs (A)

O: O line (not presented)


D: Rich 'Phallus' Marshall		Game: Duncan French

Yorkshire Rams (H)

O: Richard Green

D: Entire D (not presented), G: Entire D (not presented)

Club Trophies


Rookie of the Year: Ian 'Fraz' Fraser		Special Teams: Ed Morgan (second year in a row)


Offensive player of the Year: Rich Green		Defensive player of the Year: Rich 'Phallus' Marshall


Play of the season: Ross Elliot		Leading Tackler: Richard 'Nicey' Nice

Players' Player: Duncan French

Richard Cowell

No awards were made for the remaining games of the ten game regular season plus playoffs.

Statistically, it would seem that being called Richard is a great advantage for a Senator, even those who have left the team. The outstanding defensive back Richard Cowell was never far from the top of the list. His work has taken him down to London and away from the Senators - Gateshead's loss is certainly London's gain.

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Senators expand Youth Programme

Following the success of the Senators' junior trials on Sunday, the club is set to expand its youth programme.
There will be a training session this Sunday, 18th Dec., at Gateshead Stadium on the astroturf from 11.30 until 1.00.
David "Will" Wilson of the Senators said, "We can cater for players from 11-15 (flag) and then 16-19(kitted) We intend to have two teams."
Anyone requiring further information can contact David Wilson on 07710477798 or .
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The Board, Staff & Players

Management Committee

Chairman and Managing Director	Gary Marshall
Secretary and Executive Director	Bill Gibson
Director of Finance	Mel Bell
Director of Player Affairs	Dave Wilson
Director of Management Services	Barrie Hicks

See also "Club Contacts" page

Player Roster

The team roster can be viewed here in PDF format. (139K)

Head Coach/"O" Coordinator:	Gary Marshall
"D" Coach:	Mark Sloan
Special Teams:	Frank McParlin
Stats:	Bill Gibson

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Fixtures & Results 2005

Press Releases & Match Reports

Senators play the Best

Senators surpass Scots

Gateshead Senators 25 - East Kilbride Pirates 14

MVP Awards

Bulls battle Senators for win

Gateshead Senators 25 Birmingham Bulls 38

MVP Awards

Variable Senators beat determined Caesars

Gateshead Senators 28 Nottingham Caesars 6

MVP Awards

"Carpet Carrier" calls it a day

Senators surge past Staffs

Gateshead Senators 50 Staffordshire Surge 0

MVP Awards

Duncan does for Doncaster

Doncaster Mustangs 19 Gateshead Senators 33

MVP Awards

Richard rams it to Yorkshire

Gateshead Senators 42 ASAP Yorkshire Rams 6

MVP Awards

Senators give up early lead to Bulls

Birmingham Bulls 26 Gateshead Senators 10

Mark bows out

Senators earn home playoffs with EKP win

East Kilbride Pirates 0 Gateshead Senators 36

Slender Score scuppers Senators' Season

Gateshead Senators 3 Southern Sundevils 6

MVP Awards

Junior Gridiron in Gateshead

Battle for top honours at Senators' Awards

Senators expand Youth Programme

Management Committee

Player Roster