South Wales Warriors 24 - 14 Nene Valley Hybrids Sunday, July 18th 2004 The Hybrids made their first venture across the Welsh border to take on the South Wales Warriors this Sunday. Travelling with their smallest squad of the year, this was always going to be a tough encounter, and with the winner getting the inside track to a playoff position, the game was a crucial one. Early on, the Warriors ground game was dominating and they scored first from 13 yards out. The two-point attempt came up short as LB Jody Williams stuffed the play. The Hybrids too started on the ground as Adam Gumbs ploughed up the middle, however the South Wales defense held firm and forced the punt, but a mishandled snap by Anthony Ivory saw the punter downed deep in Hybrid territory. The Warriors O ground the ball down to the one-yard line where the fullback bulled in for the score. This time, the two-point attempt was stopped by marauding safety Richard Foulger. Being 12-0 down in the second period saw the Hybrids roar back, with QB Russ Wingfield hitting a streaking Buddy Williams down to the 7.Nene Valley advanced to the one, where Ricardo Givens drove in to paydirt. Adam Gumbs hit the extra point and made the game 12-7. The Hybrids D soon forced the punt, then Wingfield hit Williams again, this time for 21 yards. With the Warriors now starting to look for the pass, space opened up on the ground for Adam Gumbs, who followed a crunching block from Liam McManus to run in from 18 yards and give the Hybrids the lead. Gumbs again hit the extra point. The Warriors threw deep at the end of the half, but time ran out with them camped on the Hybrids four-yard line and the score 14-12. The third quarter started with a long kickoff return by the Warriors, and with their option offense starting to click they scored from 30 yards out midway through the third quarter. The two-point attempt was again stopped by the Hybrids, giving the Warriors an 18-14 lead. The fourth period was a tense affair with both teams moving the ball well. The Warriors looked to the air to try and ice the game, but CB Wayne Gumbs picked off a pass at the Hybrids 10 and returned it into Warriors territory. South Wales held firm however and forced the punt, which was again mishandled giving the Warriors good field position. Still using the option to good effect, the Warriors drove toward the goal-line and scored from close range. The fourth two-point attempt was unsuccessful. A late interception by CB Rob Wilkes gave the Hybrids the ball back with under 2 minutes left, but with the Warriors D expecting the pass, Wingfield was picked-off throwing deep, sealing a 24-14 win for the Warriors.