THE Lancashire Wolverines’ hopes of a playoff berth were dashed, as the Tamworth Phoenix squeezed out a second half comeback to defeat the team 22-15.

The Wolverines started the game brightly, quickly turning the ball over in what became an early battle between two very dominant defences. Just as the Tamworth Phoenix began to put together their first meaningful drive, safety Eden Beesley picked off quarterback Patrick Daley in the end zone to give Lancashire the ball back.

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In difficult weather conditions, the Wolverines drove well, but could not push the ball into the opposite end zone, turning it over on downs on the Tamworth 2 yard line. But the defence would do what it has been doing all year, causing trouble in opposition backfields. A bad snap would be capitalised on by Stuart Robinson, who hit the quarterback, forcing the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety and 2 important points.

With just 45 seconds left in the half, the Wolverines again got the ball back and drove well, before stand-in quarterback Sam Bloomfield found receiver Toby Sirkett over the middle for the score, giving Lancashire a 0-8 lead at the half.

The Phoenix came out of the half time interval pumped, returning a punt all the way to the house for a touchdown early on in the third quarter. Daley then kept the ball on a keeper for 2 points, and a tied 8-8 game.

But Bloomfield and the Wolverines offence would bounce immediately back, with the QB first connecting with Luc Kinder before finding Sirkett again who broke two tackles on his way to the end zone for the second time.

But the Phoenix would again punch back, driving with a tough running game downfield and back in for a score, giving us a 15-15 game going into the fourth.

Tamworth’s QB then found a receiver on the next drive with a bold, over-the-middle, across the field throw, into the end zone for a TD and a final score of 22-15 to the home side.

The Wolverines look to end their season on a high as they take on the Coventry Jets this coming Sunday at Blackburn Rugby Club, following the Juniors game against Merseyside from midday.