This was the third meeting between the two teams this season and was coming off the back of a Stampede victory, 54-0.
The ball started off with the home team Swindon Storm but the first drive came to nothing after great pressure from the defensive line of the Hereford Stampede. After the turnover of possession, Hereford started in good field position. The drive began with a stutter but soon picked up pace as the Stampede resumed where they left off in the team previous meeting. A huge run from QB Steve Hall making his way into the end zone and kicking off the scoring. Hereford 6 – Swindon 0
With the ball back in the Storm’s possession, they were met by a heavy run defence which lead to a punt. Hereford couldn’t take advantage of this strong work and the ball was fumbled after a low snap which was recovered by the Storm. Swindon’s drive started with a Stampede tackle for loss by DE Aaron Egerton.
The Storm’s offensive drive came to nothing and resulted in a punt which landed in the hands of Stampede danger man WR JJ Spencer who reversed his run and made a 60 yard punt return for a touchdown. Hereford went for two extra points which was converted by RB Blaine Smith, 0-14.
Storm’s offence were shooting blanks after more defensive stability from the Stampede. Hereford got the changeover of possession and started to ram the ball down the opposition’s throat with an aggressive running attack after a long pass downfield to TE Dave Seymour which gave Hereford strong field position. This was converted after a pitch to RB Pete Smith who made his way to the end zone increasing the score by six points, 0-20.
Things went from bad to worse for the home team after the kick-off return was fumbled and recovered by Stampede LB Joey Assirati. With the ball back in Hereford hands, the Stampede looked to capitalise with a short pass to WR JJ Spencer who gained good yardage after a mazy run and some missed tackles. After a positive start to the drive it ended in a Stampede fumble which was recovered by Swindon.
Hereford took back possession after continued defensive pressure but were immediately forced to play defence after an interception by Swindon. This didn’t stop the Stampede defence from bringing pressure and resulted in a sack for DE Luke Loft-Griffiths.
HS started the next drive with a swing pass to RB Pete Smith who danced his way through the Storm defence. The score line increased for the Stampede after a pitch to RB Blaine Smith who tip toed his way down the side-line all the way to the end zone. This was then converted for two extra points through a pass to WR JJ Spencer ending the half with the away team with full control, 0-28 to the Stampede.
The second half began in Storm’s possession. They started well with a long pass down the side-line which was stopped by a score saving tackle by Stampede DB Jake Cassidy. With good field position the home team looked to take advantage but weren’t able to do so with multiple tackle for losses by the Stampede defence and a pass break up on 4th down.
Hereford Stampede got their opening drive of the half and started strong after a run by QB Steve Hall. Hall then threw a bullet of a pass down the middle to TE Dave Seymour. On this occasion Hereford didn’t get any points on the board despite good progress into opposing territory.
With Swindon looking to make their way up the field they focussed on the passing game but were intercepted by DB Dan Harris who brought it all the way to the end zone for 6 and made Stampede history with our first ever competitive league pick 6, increasing the score line to 0-34.
After another defensive shut out by the Stampede defence it resulted in a punt by Swindon. It was that man again WR JJ Spencer who returned the punt for 40 yards following a highlight reel block by DB Dan Harris.
After two wall breaking runs by RB Blaine Smith the ball was pushed into the end zone for the final time with a QB run by QB Steve Hall, 0-40 to the Stampede.
The game then came to a close and gave the Stampede another convincing win over league veterans the Swindon Storm.
Stampede are now 4-2 in the BAFA 2022 season and look forward to a home game against local rivals Worcestershire Black Knights at Ledbury Rugby Club on Sunday 17th July, 1400 kick off.
Notable Performances
Touchdowns
1 – Jay Jay Spencer
1 – Blaine Smith
1 – Pete Smith
1 – Dan Harris
2 – Stephen Hall
2 pt Conversions
1 – Jay Jay Spencer
1 – Blaine Smith
Interceptions
1 – Dan Harris
Fumble Recovery
1 – Joey Assirati
