The UWE Bullets were far too strong for the Bristol University Barracuda, as they beat them 34-25 at American Football in the Varsity 2015 opener.

The Bullets led from the off, as Jamiel Tinto weaved past the Barracuda’s defence to open the scoring with a touchdown in the first quarter. The Barracuda found their rhythm though and opened their account with a touchdown from Alex DeCaro to equalise.

But the UWE Bullets were the ones with the initiative again, with quarter back JJ Davies pulling the strings which resulted in wide receiver Andy Sutton taking the ball over the goal line. UWE then made the two point conversion to make the score 14-6.

Charles Thomas then ran over the goal line, with an extra point conversion. But the Barracuda kept pegging the Bullets back and managed to get the score back to 21-19 at the half time break.

University of Bristol’s team came out strong with an early touchdown to take the lead for the first time. The Bullets defence held strong on many occasions as the Barracuda’s experienced American quarter back Clay Rust started to find his aim.

They withstood heavy pressure from the Barracuda throughout, until Jamiel Tinto got his second touchdown of the game for UWE. Davies at the heart of the move once again finding Tinto who’s tricky running throughout caused headaches for the Barracuda’s defence.

After that Charles Thomas got his second touchdown of the game which proved a step too far for the Barracuda. The Bullets survived a late rally, with the Barracuda scoring a consolation touchdown late on, but some inspired defence work from Tinto and Davies again, denied them the victory.

The final score was 34-25 to the Bullets who yet again showed their superiority over their neighbours to extend their unbeaten Varsity streak.

MVP of the game was awarded to the Bullets quarter back JJ Davies, for both his range in passing and his grit in defence.

Being interviewed after the game, Bullets president Jack Austin said this about Davies, “I don’t know what he’s on today! JJ’s destroying it out there, he’s just been phenomenal”.

Austin added; “This is the best team that we’ve had and we thoroughly deserved the victory today”.

Jamiel Tinto and JJ Davies seemed to be the difference in terms of attacking flair, to get the Bullets over the line. The rousing support from the UWE fans and cheer-leading squad, the UWE Comets, outshone the opposing supporters throughout.

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By Phil Turbitt

Images courtesy of Sam Atkinson