TOUCHDOWN- Wolves lose by single score after tough contest with rivals NTU

Yesterday, the Warwick Wolves took to the field at Butts Park Arena, as part of their long-awaited TOUCHDOWN event, which saw them face division rivals NTU Renegades. After a challenging contest in harsh weather conditions, it was NTU who came out on top, edging the Wolves by a single score and sealing their second victory of the season with a score of 6-13.

Speaking to Wolves president, Joshua Ogbonna before the match, excitement within the squad was high. When asked how the squad had been preparing to face their rivals, he told The Boar, that they have been prepping for NTU since the summer. Having already beaten NTU 14-10 during their first match of the season, the squad “understood them more”, but Ogbonna recognised that the team “still had to be disciplined”.

An impressive 420 supporters took to the stands, as Warwick’s cheer squad, the Devils, welcomed the teams onto the field in preparation for the all-important coin toss. This saw Warwick win the toss and opt to start on defence—which proved to be their strongest asset.

Warwick’s kick-off saw NTU awarded a touchback, and play began at the 35-yard line. An impressive first play from the away side saw them travel 11 yards, awarding them a new set of downs and another opportunity to advance. They were unable to convert these, which saw the Wolves take possession of the ball.

Warwick’s offence had an impressive first drive, taking the ball from just inside their own half down to their opponents 20-yard line. They too struggled to convert this into points, and an incomplete pass in the end zone on fourth down saw possession returned to NTU. Still, a strong start from the Wolves, nonetheless.

The rest of the first quarter played out in a similar fashion, with both teams struggling to capitalise on opportunities to get off the mark. Frustrations began to build with several penalties being awarded, and both teams often being forced to punt the ball and return play to their opponents. The score at the end of Q1 remained 0-0.

The defence is the highlight of our team

Nana Bekoe Wolves Offensive Lineman

Going into the second quarter, NTU started with the ball and made a successful run on their first down, but a series of incomplete passes on subsequent downs saw the Renegades forced to punt the ball, resulting in a touchback being awarded to Warwick.

Warwick’s first offensive play of this quarter was much more successful than their opponents, with Warwick’s Edward Kyere making an impressive run to make it 2nd and 2 for the Wolves. They were able to successfully convert their efforts into a new set of downs on the 35-yard line but a 10-yard penalty for holding saw the Wolves forced to move backwards. They too made little progress on this drive and were forced to punt the ball and return play to NTU.

The story remained much the same for the Renegades with the team making short gains on each down. Much like their counterparts NTU often favoured the run, which proved more successful in penetrating the Wolves’ strong defensive line.

However, the opportunity for the Renegades to break the deadlock came closer after a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct was awarded against Warwick’s number 21, who showed a disappointing lack of discipline. This saw 15 yards awarded to NTU who reset to 1st and 10 at the 30-yard line.

During this drive, yet another penalty was awarded, this time for holding, and the Renegades found themselves 15 yards from the goal line. After an incomplete pass on their first down, NTU finally scored on down number two, running the ball into the endzone. The subsequent point after kick was successful, taking the score to 0-7.

We lost today, but that doesn’t change our philosophy

James Thomson Wolves Defensive Lineman

At this point, pressure was visibly building on the Wolves, with an incomplete pass and an illegal kick on fourth down quickly returning play to the visitors who retook possession just 15 yards away from their oppositions endzone.

NTU advanced on their next play edging closer to scoring. However, the Wolves were able to regain composure and prevented the Renegades from entering the endzone, before play returned to the home side on the stroke of half time.

An impressive halftime performance from the Devils kept energy levels high, even as temperatures in Coventry began to drop. Shortly after, it was time for the teams to retake the field for the second half of what had so far been a nail-biting competition.

NTU kicked off, and the Wolves began their drive on their own 25-yard line. Warwick had trouble picking up speed early on and eventually reached a 4th-and-5 situation, which they were unable to convert.

The next offensive series by NTU was cut short by a Warwick interception, but the Wolves’ renewed drive was immediately halted when the visitors returned the favour on the very next play. That turnover gave NTU momentum and they capitalised almost immediately, striking with a decisive touchdown that extended their lead to 0-13. However, the margin remained that way as the Wolves blocked the subsequent conversion attempt.

Warwick then responded with one of their most promising sequences of the half. A strong 35-yard run from Jamiel Danquah and a precise 20-yard pass completion from Joshua Famulusi pushed the Wolves deep into NTU territory. Despite this progress, a sack and incomplete passes left them unable to convert, turning the ball over on downs.

From there, the game settled into a defensive battle. NTU were forced to punt after short possessions, while Warwick’s offence continued to struggle with consistency. Warwick soon regained momentum with another productive drive, featuring a long run of nearly 20 yards and several short gains. Despite an NTU interception, Warwick held their guard. This resilience eventually allowed them to break through.

After advancing to the NTU 25-yard line, a pass interference call on 3rd down moved the ball into goal-line territory, which allowed Warwick’s number six, Thomas Bell, to power into the end zone to score the team’s only touchdown of the day. A penalty pushed the subsequent kick attempt back, and the Wolves were unable to add an extra point, leaving the score at 6-13 in favour of NTU.

The Wolves will be all the more determined to come back with a bang and show the opposition why they are the reigning Premier North champions

The visitor’s offence looked to respond quickly, often targeting Kingsley Eke, their number 80, who produced multiple key catches despite several false-start penalties disrupting the drive. Progressing towards the goal line, NTU appeared poised to extend their lead until Warwick’s Thomas Bell, fresh off his offensive touchdown, produced a crucial interception that stopped the drive.

Warwick then attempted to build from their own 22-yard line following the turnover, but NTU’s defence held firm. A punt was avoided when an offside gave the Wolves a second chance on the 4th down, but Warwick were unable to convert, returning the ball to the visitors.

The pattern repeated: NTU drove the ball into Warwick territory but were pushed back by a stubborn Warwick defence, who didn’t allow them to travel far, eventually forcing NTU to punt once more. Warwick regained the ball at their own 19-yard line, favouring the run, but an intercepted pass on 3rd down ending the Wolves’ hopes of a late comeback.

As the final minutes ticked away, NTU managed the remaining moments effectively, and with no further scoring, the game concluded.

When speaking to members of the Wolves post-match, players expressed their disappointment at the result, but praised the team’s resilience, especially considering the harsh weather. Defensive lineman, James Thomson described it as “just one of those days” but that the whole team should be proud of their performance, adding, “we lost today, but that doesn’t change our philosophy”.

Offensive lineman, Nana Bekoe expressed similar sentiments, praising the Wolves’ defence as, “the highlight of our team”. When asked what he believed the deciding factor in the result was, he explained that the team suffered from injury setbacks going into the game and that their starting running back actually picked up an injury during the match.

For Warwick, it was simply just a case of not being able to score this time around. They will be hoping for a better performance next weekend away at Newcastle, who they registered landmark victories against last season. After a tough loss like this, the Wolves will be all the more determined to come back with a bang and show the opposition why they are the reigning Premier North champions.