Preseason1 | Preseason2 | Birmingham | Cheshire | Cheshire (H)
East Kilbride | Gateshead | Redditch (H)
Season 2001
The Caesars first pre season game ended disappointingly in a 2 point defeat by the Norwich Devils.
The difference in the game were 3 extra point failures by the Caesars who chose to go for two each time, as their kicker had gone to Long Eaton, instead of Eaton Park, Norwich.
The Caesars fell behind early, but a scramble by QB Gary Stainton on a broken play brought the Caesars back into it. The first half ended with the Caesars trailing 20 - 7.
A change of QB in the second half gave Stainton a chance to move into the halfback slot, and this paid dividends as he brought the score back to 20 - 12 on a sweep.
An Adi Edwards dive put the Caesars within 2 points, but they failed to complete the comeback as staintons 4th down pass was dropped in the endzone with 2 minutes to play, and Norwich ran out the clock for the victory.
Receiver Ian McCartney had a good game for the Caesars, as did Adi Giles on defence. The next game sees the Caesars take on the Yorkshire Rams at Harvey Hadden Stadium, Nottingham.
Ok, so the Caesars lost. But, it was a good performance by many new players, and good running performances from Scott Messom (2 TD's) and Guy Kersey (1 TD).
With regular QB Gary Stainton missing, Mike Hibbert took over, and produced some good drives, but costly turnovers in the final minutes cost the Caesars the victory.
Yorkshire are a division below the Caesars, and outperformed their division 1 rivals, showing that the Caesars still have some way to go before they can challenge for the title.
But looking on the bright side, they get to play the Bulls in week 1 of the regular season.
We lost again. But credit where credit is due. The Caesars put up a valiant fight against what is undeniably one of the best teams in the country in the Bulls.
Trailing only 12 - 0 at half time, the Bulls squad strength showed, and they pulled out to a comfortable victory.
If Ian ever sends the stats, I will list them here. So if anyone sees him, get him to send them.
And the streak goes on. The Caesars were unlucky in this match against the Romans, leading 12 - 0 early on, then falling to a late TD, and conversion by the Romans.
Adi Edwards helped the Caesars to a 6 - 0 lead, intercepting a pass and returning it for a score,and Albert Thompson extended the lead with a long TD reception fron QB Gary Stainton, but the Caesars failed to convert either TD, with Scott Messom coming close, but being ruled down.
Trailing 12 - 6 with 2 minutes remaining, the Romans were forced to punt, but a roughing the kicker penalty, combined with a personal foul gave them the ball back in good field position, enabling them to take the lead, which they held on to for the remainder of the game.
The Caesars were without several key players, and played with a squad of just 18 players, but the lads performed well considering most of them played out of position. The return fixture with chester is in 2 weeks. We will see what happens then.
The Caesars were desparate for a first win of the season, and got it in style against the Romans, who beat the Caesars last game.
The Romans jumped out to a fast 14 - 0 lead behind some good running, and the 18 man Caesars squad had visions of a blowout, but it was not to be, as QB Gary Stainton brought the scores closer, before throwing a 2nd qtr TD to Adi Giles, out of retirement.
It was a bad pass from Stainton just before the half, that let the Romans increase their lead, and an onside kick followed by a fieldgoal left the Halftime score with the Caesars trailing 24 - 14.
The second half was a different game, with Stainton picking up 2 more TD's and RB Guy Kersey adding one of his own, to give the Caesars a 34 - 24 lead, which they would hold onto until the final whistle.
A good defensive performance from the Caesars, in particular Dave Clamenza, (1 pick and 1 fumble rec.) and Jay Smith helped the Caesars to a second half shutout, and a morale boosting victory.
Scott Messom, and Guy Kersey lead the offense on the ground, behind the O line, which enabled them to rush for over 200 combined yards.
We lost.
Caesars 8 - 32 Gateshead Senators
We lost again. But we only need 14 players to do it.
Ok, so we were on the wrong end of the defeat, but we did finish second.
Again, small squad numbers and injuries lead to many players playing out of position, and both ways for the whole game. The Caesars only TD came on a long pass from Stainton to McCartney, with Scott Messom getting the 2 point conversion. Despite the loss, the team played well, all things considered.