OFFICIAL PROGRAM

VS Cambridgeshire Cats

GLADIATORS JUNIORS vs Watford Cheetahs Juniors

25th May 2014

www.colchestergladiators.com Message from the Chairman

Welcome to Mill Road as the Gladiators open their home campaign for the 2014 season. Coming off the back of a remarkable 2013, the club has built for the future in exceptional style and seen real positive strides in the off season. Following the National Championship victory, the seniors find themselves back in the very top tier of British football for the first time since 1992, and have already recorded a win against old foes the East Kent Mavericks in last week’s nail-biter.

The Juniors too have had an encouraging start to the new season. Under new Head Coach Tim Rowe, the Junior programme boasts a healthy roster and a real enthusiasm for the sport, which is pleasing to see. They have already secured their first victory at the Cambridgeshire Cats and are looking to continue that momentum today.

Last week also saw the curtain raiser for the Gladiators’ youth team, competing in 5-man action at their home tournament, held here at Mill Road. The Youth team were low on numbers, but never low on heart and determination. With 90% of the team having never played a competitive game, they looked a little shell shocked early, but quickly recovered to run local rivals the Essex Spartans very close, losing by only two points, and then pushing the former national champion London Warriors close in the final of the three games. Putting more than 50 points on the board across the three games meant that the team have quickly established a reputation of playing hard and being ferocious opposition to anyone. We wish them the best of luck with the rest of their season as their tournaments progress.

We welcome the Watford Cheetahs to Colchester in the opening game today, who make the journey from north London to challenge the Junior Gladiators. As ever with teams from around the capital, the talent will be formidable and the game promises to be an excellent demonstration of Junior football. Coach Rowe and his team have worked hard preparing for this, and the Gladiators are champing at the bit, so we hope for some success in the first game in Colchester for 2014.

The second game will see the return of Premier division football, as the senior Gladiators take on the Cambridgeshire Cats. There have been memorable encounters with the Cats in the past, with a number of games going to the final play, as two evenly matched teams fought it out. Cambridgeshire appear to have restocked their roster and welcome a number of new players into their fold from all over the world. Their proximity to American military bases has always been helpful in recruiting, but the Gladiators have also dug deep into the local talent pool with a number of new additions of their own, and we hope they will prove their worth against our East Anglian neighbours.

So, on this bank holiday weekend, sit back and enjoy an extravaganza of American Football, with two great games, as top tier football roars back into Colchester.

Welcome, enjoy, and GO GLADS! Message from the Coach

Matt Roberts - Head Coach - Colchester Gladiators

Today is a massive test for the club. The Cats are an athletic and always competitive side and will be a perfect test for us to really see where we stand in this division. Clearly I’m delighted with the win last week, and the overall performance level to achieve that but if we don’t follow it up today with a similar display potentially that starts looking like a blip and not a trend.

Offensively, despite a depressingly long injury list to our backs I’m as happy as I can be, with Chris Jackson having another stella year already and with new players making massive contributions I know this unit is both exciting to watch and has the ability to score points which will be needed today.

Defensively were missing some key players today, which will be a real challenge for everyone to make up for, but I know under Coach Box the guys will be ready to roll and will look to keep the Cats plethora of American talent in check.

Thanks to everyone for their support and I hope it can help propell us to a 2-1 record. Tim Rowe - Head Coach - Gladiators Junior Team

This Sunday sees the Gladiator Juniors playing their first home game of the season with new faces and new systems alike on both sides of the ball.

A tough opening weekend against an incredibly strong London Blitz left the squad slightly down beaten. However, there were many positive points to take away from that game which showed that our weeks of commitment and hard training were playing dividend. We may feel some solace in the fact that London Blitz went on to their next game and soundly thrashed the current British champions, Lon- don Warriors.

Huge credit to the Players and coaching staff around me for picking themselves up the following Sunday and returning to face our old enemy, the Cambridge Cats. The Offence moved the chains well, together with some strong game changing Defensive stands and disciplined special teams it resulted in a well deserved win.

This week sees us lining up against strong opposition from the Watford Cheetahs but we are excited to be able to finally show the home fans what this years Junior Gladiators are all about. Roster For Junior Gladiators

Head Coach Tim Rowe Offensive Coach Karl Bourke Offensive Coordinator Pedro Gowans Defensive Coordinator Nick Waring Defensive Coach Simon Wilkinson

10 - Sam Huxtable QB 79 - Jake Golding OL 14 - Alexander Wright FS 81 - James Deady WR 15 - Tomas Donnelly QB 83 - Tom Plowman WR 20 - James Boreham RB 85 - Callum Roberts CB 21 - Kurtis Thorne RB 87 - George Louch WR 23 - Charles Day QB 88 - Ben Olive WR 25 - Greg Forsaith CB 92 - George Horan DL 26 - Dan Stokes CB 93 - Daniel Goshen DL 29 - Danny Whiteman LB 95 - Liam Morgan DL 31 - Pouya Dylan Mehrabi RB 97 - Mason Garrity DL 34 - Joe Costanzo FB 99 - Ben Chable FS 35 - Craig Hudson RB 37 - Sean Colliety RB 39 - Sam Morton RB 44 - Harris Tzen QB/FS 52 - Jack Greenland LB 56 - Andrew Cairns LB 59 - Zack Watt LB 64 - Stephen Myatt OL 68 - Leon Cross OL 74 - Jordan Nuttall OL 77 - Scott O’Brien OL Cats Juniors vs Gladiators Juniors Look Back

The Colchester Gladiator Juniors by the defense which lead to the Gladiators seemed to be strode past the Cambridgeshire the Cats running back taking the revitalized when they came back Cats this weekend to collect their ball to the end zone for a quick- on the field with a collaboration first win of their campaign in what fire 6 points, however due to a of offensive and defensive series is hopefully going to be a season sudden rise in confidence the that mounted a serious amount which can deliver on great cats believed they could power of pressure on the Cats which promise. over for a two-point to try and eventually lead to their breaking trample the Gladiators spirits but point, but the first Touchdown of From the start of the game it was thankfully their heads did not drop the game for the Gladiators did clear that the Gladiators had and they rejected the attempt. not come from a usual source. the physical edge in the game Shortly after this on another In fact the points came from by quickly eradicating any form defensive series there was a Middle Linebacker and defensive of an offensive series the Cats moment of great concern for the captain Jack Greenland who tried to string together with the team which could have changed recovered the football in the end front seven and their versatile the outcome of the game when zone after the Quarterback had back-field shutting down all a punt by Cambridge struck an fumbled the ball after taking a play-making options. However unsuspecting player on the back big hit the backfield which was when it came to offence it was gifting the ball to Cambridgeshire then followed up by a another a different story as although they within the twenty-yard line. But successful point-after Kick from gained yards slowly they looked like the rest of the game the Andrew Cairns. as though they were struggling end zone was again blockaded to find some rhythm out on the by the Gladiators immense After this the Gladiators believed field, however due to another defensive efforts. Finally on the the best way to close out the dominant defensive series the last offensive series of the First game was to add another quick field position the offence received half for Cambridgeshire it looked fire score this time from the was too good to not put some briefly like they had added offense by utilizing the power points on the board and although another score to the board running game fronted by Full-Back they did not find the end zone when again their running back Andrew Cairns who again lived they managed to come away broke the secondary and began up to the billing and delivered with three points thanks to speeding downfield but this time with a sturdy run that garnered Andrew Cairns he had traipse back to other end 6 points for the team. However of the field due to holding penalty despite the joy this brought to the Having said that just after this on incurred by Cats Offensive line. team there was also a moment of a Cambridgeshire Offensive series true concern for both teams when there was a temporary slip-up After a sun soaked halftime a member of the Cambridgeshire Cats Juniors vs Gladiators Juniors Look Back

side’s defense was struck on the This result was good for the whole said run rendering him movement team especially after they went less for what seemed a lengthy through some growing pains period of time and lead to him two weeks ago at the hands of being taken away by the on-site the London Blitz after there were medics. However after the game dramatic coaching changes it was announced that he had during the offseason to a junior suffered no serious injuries with side which looks as though it will Whiplash and bruising being the make a run into and through the final diagnosis. Play-offs. But for now the team will return to training for two- After this moment had passed weeks to iron out any wrinkles and the extra point had been and prepare for their first home kicked successfully the games game of the season against the momentum began to slow and Watford Cheetahs on May 25th at after a repetitive amount of Colchester Rugby Club. scoreless series for both sides it seemed inevitable that had something had to break and eventually it did when the Cats began to air the ball out at the end of the fourth quarter in a last ditch attempt to get a result. For a moment at the end they had some success and they were able to gain multiple first downs putting pressure on the defense however with less than a minute left on the clock the defense woke from their trance and was able to stop the gaining offense and close the game out with a sack. Roster For Junior Cheetahs

Adams, Chris OL Pecorini, Tom QB Anderson – Watson, Reece WR Pettitt, William QB Ashton, Jonathan DL Power, Matthew DL Baragwanath, Robert DL Radtke, Michal WR Burgess, Dennis LB Richardson, Jake DL Cubitt, Richard DB Richer, Harry LB Eastwood, Samuel DB Ridgewell, James LB Elliot, Oliver DL Roberts, Sam DB Filer, Daniel DL Romain, Max OL Gilmore, Alex OL Shmulewitz, Jacob DB Ginsburg, Aaron WR Smith, Edward OL Healy, Andrew DB Treharne-Curtis, Alexander DB Higgins, Jack WR Truman, Rupert WR Ingles, Jake RB Jackson, James DL Knill, Sam OL Merten-Mancer, Theo RB Meyers, Benjamin RB Moller, Raphael LB Olufemi, Jordan RB Ozwell, Conor DB Palumbo, Ascanio DB Roster For COLCHESTER GLADIATORS

Head Coach Matt Roberts Defensive Coordinator Luke Box Defensive Backs Nick Foxley Asst. Paul Lilley Asst. Liam Whiting

0 Andrew Clarke WR 49 Brendan Bignell LB 0 Chris Chandler WR 50 Andre Auguste DL 0 Alex Keatley DL 51 Phil Moreton OL 1 Brandon Slieker QB 54 David Walton DL 2 Sam Gennings DB 57 David Crane OL 7 Nathan Brown WR/K 58 Andi King OL 8 Victor Williams WR 64 Ian Digby LB 10 Anders Bengston RB 66 Tarek Al Baghal OL 11 Curtis Bourke QB 67 Tom Burridge OL 14 Alex Robinson DB 70 James Birch DL 15 Adam Levy QB 72 Joe Bunyan DL 19 Ash Latter WR 73 Alfie Sharman OL 20 Richard Weeks DB 75 Nigel Mann OL 21 Andi Hyka WR 76 Paul Brunsden OL 23 Joe Stickings DB 77 Paul Bovingdon OL 25 Chris Jackson RB 82 Oliver Ackland-Snow WR 27 Neil Owen WR 85 Mitchell Freeman WR 31 Lewis Henson LB 88 Mark Gilbranch LB 36 Raul Barclay DB 90 Sean Chadney DL 39 Josh Milgate LB 95 Charles Greig WR 45 Jake Hawkins LB 98 Matthew Richardson DL 48 David Kerr DB 99 Garry Shuttleworth DL East Kent Mavericks 37 vs 40 Colchester Gladiators Look Back

The Colchester Gladiators opened their On their but two account in the Premier South with a thrilling opening consecutive win over last year’s playoff contenders, the possession, completions East Kent Mavericks, in a game that will be Colchester took the ball to remembered for a long time. could not the Colchester In a game that swung first one way then the move the ball 7 before time other, the Gladiators trailed at half time, but and had to ticked down let an 18 point fourth quarter lead slip away punt but were to 2 seconds. before finding a way to win on the game’s gifted a score The Mavs final play. on the Kent elected to go Faced with a fourth and two on the five, a side’s next snap for a field goal time out was called to top the clock with just when the ball which they duly one second remaining, and quarterback was sent over converted to Curtis Bourke placed the outcome of the their QB’s head, take the score game firmly on his shoulders and called what who turned to to 16-9 at half would be the winning play. With no room for collect it, but time. error, on a winner-take-all decision, Bourke was tackled The Gladiators convinced head coach Matt Roberts to go by Garry came out for the win rather than try to kick a field goal Shuttleworth for fighting in the with the final play, that would, if successful, a safety. The third period, tie the scores at 37. Instead, he called a pass two point play wasting no time play, threw the ball to rookie receiver Andy took the score before adding Clarke, who leapt to catch the ball, and to 6-2 and the to their tally. A held on as he was hit by two defenders, for Mavs had to 65 yard kick off the game winning touchdown. The six points kick off again. return by Ash secured the emotional win for the Gladiators A nine play, 63 Latter gave 40-37, and was the team’s first win at the top yard drive was them good level of football in the UK since 1992. aided by a 34 field position yard pass from and it took The Mavericks received the ball to start the Bourke to Vic them just three game and quickly scored, thanks to a 53 Williams down to the two and ended when plays to score when Chris Jackson forced yards catch and run from their American Bourke went over for a score two plays later. the ball over. The score-tying extra point was QB Josh Adamson to their leading receiver Nathan Brown kicked the extra point to give blocked so the Gladiators remained a point Hughes to the Gladiators’ 10. One play later the Gladiators a 9-6 lead. behind at 16-15. Richie Bowen ran the ball in for the game’s After an exchange of possessions, the Mavs After stopping East Kent on fourth down, opening score. The extra point was blocked retook the lead when another short pass the Gladiators took the lead when Williams but the Mavs led 6-0. was converted into a 55 yard scoring play capped a 10 play drive with a nine yard run. by good blocking and some The two point attempt was thwarted but the speed shown by Hughes Gladiators led by five at 21-16. who outran the defence for This became 27-16 minutes later after a the score. The extra point 22 yard punt return by Sam Gennings set was good and the Mavs led them up on the Kent 33. Jackson scored his again by four at 13-9. second, this time from 19 yards out but again The Gladiators were the PAT was blocked. threatening again as the first Joe Stickings picked off Adamson to give the quarter cam to an end but Gladiators’ “O” the ball again as the fourth a good defensive play on quarter began and they took full advantage fourth down stopped them when Bourke found receiver Mitchell in their tracks, turning the Thomas from 28 yards out for the rookie’s first ball over on downs. touchdown. Brown kicked the extra point An exchange of turnovers, and the Gladiators were coasting, up by 18 an interception thrown at 34-16. by Bourke and a fumble Stickings snagged his second interception of caused by Shuttleworth the day on Kent’s first play from scrimmage and recovered by the first but with back-up QB Brandon Slieker in game’s MVP Brendan Bignell at the helm, getting some valuable reps, prevented further additions the offence spluttered and couldn’t take to the totals. East Kent were advantage of the turnover. threatening again however The Mavs took full advantage and with less before Raul Barclay took than seven minutes remaining, started to advantage of a tipped ball make the game interesting again after they and claimed the Gladiators’ ran in from four yards. The two point pass first interception of the day, attempt failed but the gap was now just 12 returning it to the Kent 43 points. but the ball popped loose The Gladiators again could not register a as he was tackled, giving first down to eat away at the remaining time the Mavs another chance and had to punt, but a poor kick bounce the as time was ticking down Mavs’ way and set them up on the Gladiators towards half time. 31, and four plays later they were celebrating A 39 yard scoring play again and sensing victory as they closed to was negated by a penalty within five at 34-29. East Kent Mavericks 37 vs 40 Colchester Gladiators Look Back

Gladiators TD which won it for us! a classy return also shows the investment in Not only that but Chris Jackson special teams continues to pay off. Likewise carrying the load on the ground with a vital fourth down fake punt, Sam was exceptional once again and Gennings is getting close to being stolen for shows why he’s the rock of the the offence! unit with 53 tough yards and two “We still have so much to work on, we made scores as well as four receptions. too many silly errors in all phases of the game Special mention has to go to the which meant we surrendered an 18 point offensive line and Curtis at QB lead which really isn’t good enough, but it in the pass game. This year the feels great to take down one of the better practice has really been paying teams in the division and hope we can grow off, our protection up front has from here” been excellent and Curtis has really The Gladiators’ next game is this started getting his eye in giving us Sunday against old rivals, the high flying a more balanced feel than ever Cambridgeshire Cats, at Colchester Rugby before. Club, 2.30pm kick off. “Defensively we were solid, and Further information about the Club and despite a couple of early blunders contact details for all sections can be found we really bottled up their explosive at www.colchestergladiators.com. offence. East Kent have one of the highest scoring offences in the league but for most of the game we kept it in Disaster followed for the Gladiators. With check, Bourke back in at QB, and little over two forced minutes remaining, Bourke fumbled the ball numerous long as he was hit and it was returned to the down situations Gladiators’ 13. One play later, the Mavs were which helped celebrating as their running back sprinted the offence across the goal line for six. The two point run wrack up the was good and the home side had a three scores we point lead with the score standing at 37-34. needed to seal The Gladiators could not afford any mistakes it out. Special if they were to save the game that they praise has to should have already secured. Two pass go to Garry interference penalties against East Kent Shuttleworth took the ball into their half and a disgraceful who was example of arguing and swearing on a leader the pitch by a Mavs defender was rightly with seven penalised with consecutive personal fouls. tackles and These took the ball all the way to the Kent 13 an incredible which set up the final four plays. Jackson ran work rate, and for four yards, Bourke for one and Jackson for for the unit to three more before a time out was called with amass three just one tick of the clock remaining. Bourke’s picks, two courage and throw earned him the MVP sacks and four award and a happy coach ride home as the turnovers is Gladiators celebrated this historic win. very pleasing Head Coach Matt Roberts was emotional and testament after the roller coaster of a game and said: to the great “Today was just a fantastic game to be a work the part of, and despite the penalties through coaches are the game was a great advert for the skill and doing. athleticism we have in the UK. I’m hoping “Finally despite today was a real watershed moment for some troubles us, we got nervous in part and following a with our PAT disappointing loss to South Wales we needed conversion to see how we bounce back against a team on the day, eyeing post season football. I’m over the special teams moon that we did what we needed to when was excellent it counted and got a massive win. for us; Ash “Offensively I’m just ecstatic that three latter having new players got on the score sheet with an amazing 65 rookie Mitch Freeman getting his first catch yard return to and score for the team, new signing Vic their ten to set Williams had a tremendous day once again up one score contributing on special teams and offence and to see new with a score of his own, and likewise I have player Andi a feeling with only one second on the clock, Xheka having Andy Clarke might remember his first ever League Table / Remaining Fixtures

Team Wins Losses Ties pct for against Bristol Aztecs 2 0 0 1.000 93 0 London Warriors 2 0 0 1.000 106 6 London Blitz 2 0 0 1.000 95 6 London Olympians 2 0 0 1.000 43 26 Colchester Gladiators 1 1 0 0.500 52 51 East Kent Mavericks 1 2 0 0.333 73 80 South Wales Warriors 1 2 0 0.333 14 107 Cambridgeshire Cats 1 3 0 0.250 51 149 Berkshire Renegades 0 4 0 0.000 25 127

Check it out - Click Here!

June 8, 2014 2:00 pm Colchester Colchester Gladiators – London Warriors

June 15, 2014 2:00 pm Colchester Colchester Gladiators – Berkshire Renegades

June 22, 2014 2:00 pm Finsbury Park Athletics Stadium London Blitz – Colchester Gladiators

August 3, 2014 2:00 pm Colchester Colchester Gladiators – Bristol Aztecs

August 17, 2014 2:00 pm Beckenham, Greater London BR3 1NZ London Olympians – Colchester Gladiators Follow Us TWITTER FACEBOOK

Click to follow Roster For Cambridgeshire Cats

Coaches Paul Bowkis Sean Gray Jonathan Smith Matthew Kelly Haluk Acar Anthony Hazel Corey Carpenter Stuart Holland Chris Cooke Nathan Hull Christopher Fenton Rhys Lewis Clifton Flint Charles Mack Devyn Gourdine Jordan McCarther Mickey Grubbs Wayne Richard Daniel Heginbottom Jack Rutherford Timothy Allen Stacy Simblett Luke boggs Larry Stockford Steven Bright Connor Turner Thomas Carr Jim Weir Andrew Custerson Tom Wonnacott Nathan Evans Antonio Reveglia Andrew Finlay Mikael Rose David Hobbs Thomas Sheppard Michael Holt Christopher Smith Adrian Jones Reginald Smith Ben Langford Andrew Smith Dan Lloyd Jake Swisher Mike Marina Brian Jelley Mark Pooley Nigel Turner Philip Gaskin

numbers and positions not provided - sorry