2007 Season

Fixtures & Results 2007
Press Releases & Match Reports

Fixtures & Results 2007

All supporters are welcome to home games, no tickets required!

Senior team fixtures in UPPER CASE, youth team in lower case, home fixtures in bold.

Senior Team Regular Season Standings Played Won Lost Drawn % 10 3 6 1 35%

Youth Team Regular Season Standings Played Won Lost Drawn % 6 4 2 0 67%

Press Releases & Match Reports

Senators Youth Take 2nd Place

The Senators took place in the tournament alongside Dutch national champions the Amstelland Panthers, Moldovan side Kishinev Barbarians and Dutch side 99 Den Haag Raiders.

The Senators faced a tough test in their first game playing the hosts and tournament favourites the Amstelland Panthers a side who had lost only once in the last 2 years . The Senators struggled to make an impact on the 50 man squad of the Dutch Champions and the Panthers jumped out to a first half 21-0 lead behind some excellent running of star running back Donovan Dunn.

The Senators responded in the second half with some strong running from FB Stephen Manuel and capped this off with a 1 yd run from QB Ben Thomas , this however would be the Senators only score of the day with the Panthers adding a further two touchdowns to make the eventual score 34-6 to the hosts.

Gateshead kicked off their second game against the Raiders with it all to play for knowing that a victory would secure them second place against a Raiders side who had beaten the Barbarians 34-6 in their first game.

The Senators started the game well with excellent Defence forcing the Raiders to punt on their 1st possession the Senators took the ball own their own 30 yd line and drove the length of the field behind some excellent blocking by the O Line of Landless, Dearden, Buckley, Bell and Kersey ably assisted by TE Iain Dover the Senators fed the ball to HB Adam O'Brien and FB Stephen Manuel both gaining excellent yardage. It was Manuel who would cap the drive off with a 6 yd TD run the extra point was added by Ben Forster to make it 7-0 to the Senators.

Forster would turn out to be a key player for the Senators ending the day with 2 Interceptions and finishing with 3 for the tournament. The Raiders next drive saw some ferocious tackling by DE Matt Williams and a sack by LB Sean Foster force the Raiders again to punt.

It was HB O'Brien again who went to work on the Raiders Defence and behind an excellent block by WR Nick Walker ripped off an 80 yd TD run, again the extra point was added by Forster putting the Senators 14-0 up at the half.

The second half began with more strong Defence by the Senators led by D Captain Gavin Barr and FS Craig Fiddes who both finished with one Interception each on the day. It was Fiddes who set up the Senators for their next score after his INT with Si Cruise taking a 50 yd reverse to the End Zone, the Senators joy however was short-lived with a holding penalty wiping the score off.

The Senators would not be denied a further score however after some superb passing from QB Ben Thomas connecting with WR Chris Doyle on a 40 yd bomb setting up the next points (Doyle would lead all Senators receivers at the tournament a finish with 7 grabs for 150 yds )

On the next play from scrimmage running back O'Brien was again the scourge of the Raiders going in from 30 yds out. The Raiders added a consolation score and a 2 pt conversion late in the 4th quarter making the final score Senators 20-Raiders 8.

Head Coach David Wilson commented

" We would like to thank Coach Marcel and the Panthers organisation for arranging such a superb event we would love to return next year to represent England, I would also like to go on record and thank the coaching staff for the superb job they did preparing the team and lastly the players who behaved impeccably throughout the tour and are a credit to the Senators"

The event was capped off by FB Stephen Manuel receiving the tournament Offensive MVP.

The Senators tournament MVPs were awarded to

The Senators Youth will now prepare for the 1st game of the regular season at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 29th April against Clyde Valley Hawks 2.00 p.m. Kick off.

The Senators are currently recruiting for players and game day staff for more information contact Youth Head Coach David Wilson via email

9 Apr 2007

Senators announce sponsorship deal with Leeds Building Society

The Leeds Building Society are one of the largest mutual societies in the UK specialising in Mortgage and Investment business The Society is currently helping over 70,000 individuals, couples and families to buy a home, and is offering its savers greater value products and services.

Head Coach Gary Marshall commented,

"We are extremely grateful to the Leeds Building Society for the support that they are giving us this year ,we intend to use the funds to continue our youth development programme as well as continuing our investment in the senior team both on and off the field."

Youth gain hard won Victory

Gateshead Senators 22 Clyde Valley Hawks 20

Hawks were first to put points on the board when they marched steadily upfield behind the power running of Graeme MacMillan. Ryan McCabe took the hand off from 23 yards out and scampered upfield for the opening score. The extra point attempt was kicked wide right something that would prove to be key in the later stages of the game.

Ready for the snap (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

With Hawks starting on their own 20 yard line, Senators' duo Sean Foster and Scott Kersey continued to pile the pressure on Clyde Valley by sacking the Hawks' QB to end the half with Gateshead ahead 8 points to 6.

Hawks runner stopped (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

On the very next drive Hawks' Blake Kyle brought the score to within 2 points. He went on a 26 yard tackle breaking run for the TD. David Orr converted the extra points when he kicked the ball through the posts to make the score 14-14.

Finding the gap (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

There's a Hawk under there! (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

Gateshead managed the ever decreasing clock excellently led by QB Ben Thomas and more strong running by FB Manuel to leave Clyde Valley only 45 seconds to try to win the ball game. Although the Hawks tried to score Gateshead were not about to give up their slender lead and prevented any further points to run out winners 22-20.

More game pictures at http://gatesheadsenatorsyouth.wordpress.com/league-games/5/

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Senators' Soccer Scoreline Success

Gateshead Senators 5 East Kilbride Pirates 0

Evading the tackle (Photo: Dave Moore)

Leaping defense (Photo: Dave Moore)

Pete poised to pass (Photo: Dave Moore)

The hand off (Photo: Dave Moore)

Offensively Tait finished the game with 116 yds on 28 carriers but was pipped to the MVP by Rob Lochrie for his work at both RB and WR not to mention his work as a DB. Ti Bello was awarded the 'D' MVP on the back of his two interception performance; however Game MVP was awarded to two way star Ross Elliot recording 8 solos, 5 assists and two defended passes from his CB position and two grabs for 35 yds at wideout.

The Senators' next home game is against Birmingham Bulls at Gateshead Stadium on Sunday 20th June, 2.00pm kick off .

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Youth Team's narrow loss

Glasgow Tigers Youth 14 Gateshead Senators Youth 12

O Line ready (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

The Tigers were quick to capitalise on the Senators' mistake and behind some excellent blocking by their O line fullback Scott Watson powered in from 4 yards for the opening score of the game, the two point conversion was hauled in by Tight End Andrew Burns making the score 8-0 to the home team.

Defense swamp the runner (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

Keeping hold of the ball (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

The 2nd half saw the Senators' 'D' begin in determined mood, led by Nose Tackle Mark Regan. The Senators forced the Tigers continually to punt the ball, however the Tigers' D stood firm, more turnovers and errors by the Senators offence were the order of the day forcing them out of scoring position.

The Senators surge forward (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)		I want to break free... (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

The 4th Quarter began with the Senators desperately seeking a way through the Tigers' Defence, it was QB Thomas who would make the breakthrough, hitting Wide Receiver Chris Doyle on a 40yd bomb to bring the scoreline to 14-12 in favour of the Scots. The extra points were needed to tie the game however a bad snap meant the points were missed. Both teams traded further possessions but when the Tigers recovered a Senators' fumble with 2:10 left on the clock they were able to run the clock out to secure the victory making the final score Glasgow Tigers 14 Gateshead Senators 12.

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Another two point loss

Gateshead Senators Youth 14 Glasgow Tigers Youth 16

Sean Foster and Craig Summerfield make the tackle (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

The Senators went into week 3 of the regular season looking to avenge their 2 point loss to the Tigers two weeks earlier, however as in the previous game it would be turnovers and a missed extra point that would prove costly.

With QB Ben Thomas nursing an injury the Senators had to turn to back up Ben Forster to lead the offence and rely on the running game to attack the Tigers . It was Gateshead who started the brighter out of the two teams taking the ball from the opening kick off and driving to the Tigers' 25 yd line behind some strong running by Mark Gorman and Scott Smith. The Senators opted to go for it on 4th down, however were stopped short by the Tigers' D. Strong Senators' Defence led by Gavin Barr and Sean Foster forced the Tigers to punt the ball back to the Senators who opened up with the passing game on their next drive. However QB Forster was sacked by the Tigers' D fumbling the ball in the process giving the Tigers excellent field position on the Senators' 12 yard line.

Two plays later Glasgow running back Kieran Phillips scampered into the endzone untouched from 6 yards out for the first points of the game. Andrew Burns slotted the extra points making it 8-0 to the Tigers.

Gavin Barr the ball carrier (Photo: Dave Moore)		Offense at the ready (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

Stephen Manuel keeps possession (Photo: Cathryn Buckley)

Adam O'Brien makes the yards (Photo: Dave Moore)

The Senators' joy however was short lived. The short kick off was fielded by Nick Halfpenny on his own 40 yd line who then scampered down the sideline for a 60 yard score. Again the extra points were slotted by Burns making it 16-14 to the visitors.

Gavin Barr fakes while Adam O'Brien comes for the ball (Photo: Dave Moore)

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Jets shoot down Senators

Coventry Cassidy Jets 45 Gateshead Senators 7

Gateshead were able to take advantage of good field position from an early unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Jets and began their march towards the end zone with a mixture of short runs, short passes and long penalties. Less than four minutes into the game the Senators drew first blood. Quarterback Pete Rogers found David Wilson for 7 yards and a touchdown. Rogers then kicked the extra point to put Coventry in a seven point hole, marking the first time that the Jets had trailed a British team in almost 2 years.

Gateshead's score served as a wake up call for the Coventry Cassidy Jets. Tim Spaull led out his offense and within four plays had evened the score, the drive culminated with a 36 yard bomb to Joe Black for the first of his 2 touchdowns. The Senators' next possession ended with a punt after they failed to move the football. Jeremy Simms received the ensuing kick and returned the ball from his own 20 yard line.

Steve Coles led an offensive push accounting for each of the 56 yards on the Jets' second possession. The Great Britain running back barrelled his way into the end zone for a second Coventry touchdown, kicking the point after as well. A reinvigorated Jets' defense was now in control, and led by middle linebacker Paul Newey, held the Senators' offense to 167 total yards. Gateshead's defense held Jets star receiver Mark Cohen to just 2 catches, however, Gateshead couldn't stop him from getting on the score sheet as both he and Robin Carter added touchdowns before the half.

The Senators kicked off the second half trailing 27-7. An ugly second half was punctuated by the ejection of 2 Jets. In separate instances Eric Watts and Liam Smith were both given their marching orders for throwing punches. Having made some half-time adjustments, Gateshead's defense was able to thwart the Jets' aerial assault forcing Cohen on to punt. A muffed punt return and a failure to convert a 4th and 2 were the sealed the Senators' fate. Jets QB Spaull ran in the final two scores of the game, posting a score of 45-7 in favour of the Coventry Cassidy Jets.

Honours even

Birmingham Bulls 3 Gateshead Senators 3

The Senators without key players travelled with 26 of their 48 man squad and came close to pulling off an unlikely victory whilst the Bulls Defence had been boosted by the addition to their coaching staff of former Gateshead D Coordinator and Hall of Famer Mark Sloan.

Both teams started slowly with the kick off being delayed due to Gateshead being stuck in traffic and not arriving at Birmingham until 2.30 after a six and a half hour journey.

It was Birmingham who managed to take a lead with a field goal from rookie kicker Scott Fennell and this looked like it might have been enough. Gateshead played well and dug in deep in a much improved performance but without any major threat to the Bulls' endzone, as the swarming defense held them at bay.

With time running out a good punt from Gateshead veteran punter Gary Marshall pinned the Bulls on their own one yard line. The Bulls managed to break out with strong running and determination but a fumbled hand off which was recovered by Mark Hume gave the Senators excellent field position. After going to the air in search of a touchdown the Senators had to settle for a Field Goal attempt by QB Pete Rogers. The kick was good and the game was tied at three all.

The Bulls were given one last chance with thirty five seconds remaining and despite a break away run by Jason Prince, time ran out and the honours were even.

Defensive Coordinator David Wilson commented,

"This was a superb TEAM performance from our guys many of whom had to play both ways against a very good Bulls outfit. We are looking forward to welcoming back more of our veteran players for the visit of Bristol on Sunday."

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Rampant Senators shut out Colts

Gateshead Senators Youth 36 Lancashire Wolverine Colts 0

The Senators were forced to field a weakened side with 11 of their 32 man squad unavailable due to holidays and examinations but still came way with a creditable victory and their first shutout of the season.

Misdirection and deception - where is that ball? (Photo: Dave Moore)

Pitch out (Photo: Dave Moore)

Going nowhere... (Photo: Dave Moore)

Swarming defense (Photo: Dave Moore)

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Rampant Senators shut out Colts - again

Lancashire Wolverine Colts 0 Gateshead Senators Youth 24

The game started well for the Senators with them marching downfield on the first drive of the game; the drive was capped off by a 22 yd TD run from Simon Cruise in his first start at RB. Things would quickly get better for the Senators. After the Wolverines had gained a first down, strong defence by the Senators' D Line of Dearden, Landless, Regan and Bell forced the home side back towards their own end zone. After dropping back to pass the Lancashire QB was flushed out of the pocket after excellent work by Matt Dearden straight into the grasp of James Landless for a 2 point safety, the 1st quarter ending 8-0 to the Senators.

The second quarter started with the Wolverines forcing the Senators to punt. A Ben Forster 'coffin corner' punt pinned the home side back within their own 10 yard line. Landless and the rest of the Senators' D would keep the Wolverines at bay on their next drive pushing the home team back towards their own end zone after Landless recorded his second sack of the game. This time it would be Defensive Captain Gavin Barr who would record a TD, intercepting the Lancashire QB at the 17 yard line and scampering into the end zone. Adam O'Brien added the two point conversion running the ball into the end zone to make it 16-0 to the Senators at the half.

The second half began with the rain affecting both offences. .Defence came to the fore with both teams struggling to move the ball. Tom Carroll led the much improved Wolverines' D with an impressive performance from Middle Linebacker disrupting the Senators' running game. With James Landless and Craig Summerfield keeping the Lancashire offence at bay for the Senators, it was Summerfield who increased the scoring for the visitors' first recording a sack, then a 2 point safety after recovering a fumble in the Wolverines' end zone, the third quarter finishing with the Senators leading 18-0.

The Senators continued to run the ball in the 4th quarter due to the weather conditions and it would be Adam O'Brien who would cap a fine team performance with the final TD of the day; after taking the ball 18 yards out O'Brien ploughed through a would-be tackler on the 10 yard line and burst into the end zone for six points. The extra point was missed leaving the final score 24-0 to the Senators.

The Senators now move to 3-2 on the season and prepare for the visit of divisional leaders Clyde Valley Hawks on the 29th July, a game that could decide the Northern Conference.

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Clyde Hawks Down

Gateshead Senators Youth 22 Clyde Valley Hawks 6

The game started tentatively with both teams forcing each other three and out. Both teams would turnover the ball 4 times and 5 times respectively on the day, however it was the Senators who made the most of the early possession.

After a scoreless first quarter the Senators were given the ball in Hawks' territory after Dan Geux had recovered a Clyde Valley fumble. Three plays later Adam Obrien opened the scoring from 25 yards outpacing the Hawks' defence to the endzone. The Senators opted to go for 2 and Stephen Manuel barrelled into the endzone to make it 8-0 to the Senators.

On the next drive great work by DE Craig Summerfield allowed Cornerback Simon Cruise to come up with a forced fumble and recovery all of his own giving the Senators the ball within the Hawks 20 yard line. But two plays later the Senators returned the favour, coughing up the ball to hand possession back to the Hawks.

It wouldn't be long before the same one two punch of Obrien and Manuel would hurt the Hawks again. After changing possessions it was Dan Geux again who came up with the big Defensive play intercepting a tipped pass from Hawks' QB Alan Harrison to again give the Senators excellent field position with 2 minutes left in the half .

A key reception on 3rd down by Chris Doyle on a pass from QB Ben Thomas moved the Senators within the Hawks' 30 yard line. Hard running from Gavin Barr and Stephen Manuel moved the chains for another first down and with time running out in the half the Senators opted to run the ball with 30 seconds left. It was Obrien again who would scamper into the endzone from 19 yards out. Once more the home team opted to run the two point conversion and again it was Manuel who waltzed into the endzone untouched behind some great blocking by the Senators' O- line to make it 16-0 to the home side at the half.

The second half started slowly from both teams but sprang into life when Hawks' QB Harrison hit a wide open receiver who sprinted away from the Senators' D. However Cornerback and kicker Ben Forster made up 15 yds to make a touchdown saving tackle and bring the runner down on the Senators' 10 yard line . Forster would have an outstanding day with two touchbacks, 1 interception and a fumble recovery. More good D from the Senators forced the Hawks back with James Landless coming up with a key fumble recovery leaving the third quarter scoreless.

The 4th quarter began with another sustained drive by the home side seeing them reach the endzone again. This time it was Simon Cruise doing the damage scampering home from 24 yards out, the Senators again opted for two but this time the Hawks D led by Karl McCrann held firm making it 22-0 to the Senators.

The Hawks however were in no mood to lie down and marched the ball downfield behind the strong running of Blake Kyle and Karl McCraan. With just over two minutes left on the clock Hawks QB Allan Harrison play faked the entire Senators D and ran into the endzone untouched from 20 yards out. The key extra point was blocked by the Senators to make it 22-6 to the home team.

The Hawks opted to go for the onside kick but this was recovered by Senators' Matt Buckley to enable the Senators to run out the clock and claim the Northern Conference title by two points.

Senators MVPs sponsored by the Newcastle Sports Cafe

Northern Champs fall to Aztecs

Bristol Aztecs Youth 24 Gateshead Senators Youth 14

The Aztecs had graciously agreed to move the game to allow Gateshead to field a team.

The game started slowly for both teams with neither team able to move the ball with any success on their first drives. The Senators' second drive would be the start of a run of bad luck for the visitors; after gaining a first down the Senators' offence fumbled the ball away to the grateful Aztecs D. The next play from scrimmage the Senators suffered a major blow, losing starting Guard and D Tackle James Landless to a dislocated thumb. Neither team were able to reach the endzone for the remainder of the quarter leaving the first quarter scoreless.

The second quarter sprang into life when the Senators' offence began to move the ball behind some excellent running by Stephen Manuel, Senators QB Ben Thomas used the play action pass to freeze the Aztecs D lofting a perfectly flighted pass to a wide open Adam Obrien who outpaced the Aztecs D for a 79 yard score. The 2 point conversion was no good making it 6-0 to Gateshead.

The Aztecs would reply quickly moving the ball 80 yards on two running plays, the second of which cost the Senators starting CB and Kicker Ben Forster who had started the game well making 7 tackles. Forster was forced to leave the game after taking a helmet to the back. On the third play of the drive running back Stef Williams scampered home from 5 yards out; the 2 point conversion was good, making it 8-6 to the Aztecs at the half.

The start of the second half was delayed after Landless and Forster both required hospital treatment. This delay seemed to affect the concentration of the now 18 man visitors' squad with the Aztecs increasing the scoring on their first 2 possessions of the third quarter, firstly on a 4 yd TD run by Jack Cockell and then a 40 yd TD reception by Aztecs' TE Tom Wallis. Both scores were successfully converted to make the score 24-6 to the Aztecs at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The 4th quarter saw the Senators try and mount a comeback; excellent work from NT Mark Regan and rookie CB Callum Wright starting his first game saw the Aztecs forced to punt. The Senators started with the ball on their own 2 yard line and mounted a 98 yard 8 minute scoring drive behind some excellent blocking by David Bell (replacing the injured Matt Buckley at Centre) and some strong running by QB Ben Thomas and FB Stephen Manuel. It was Thomas who capped the drive off, barrelling into the endzone from 2 yards out. The two point conversion was run in by FB Manuel to make the score 24-14. Neither team was able to add to the scoreline the game finishing 24-14 to the Aztecs who now progress to the semi finals.

Head Coach David Wilson commented,

"The coaching staff are immensely proud of the commitment and effort shown by the guys, especially after losing 2 key players to injury. The staff would also like to Cath Buckley for all her hard work throughout the season."