American Football BAFA Southern Conference Division Two West    

By Twm Owen    

Torbay Trojans 6, South Wales Warriors 14 

A late interception returned for a touchdown secured the South Wales Warriors a key victory against their only rivals for the divisional title. 

The Torbay Trojans welcomed the Warriors to their Paignton home with both sides undefeated at 5-0 in the British American Football Association (BAFA) league’s division two west this season. 

At the end of the first quarter there was nothing to separate either side who battled away in the Devon heat without managing a score. 

The Trojans struck first when their ground game eventually broke through the Warriors defense for the game’s opening touchdown. Importantly however the Warriors defenders held firm and stopped the home side from punching in the two-point conversion. 

The lead was maintained until the third quarter when the Warriors offense replied with quarterback Dean Jackson connecting with receiver Max McNeill-Smith for the equaliser. But the Warriors were unable to take the lead when their two-point conversion attempt also fell short. 

As the game wore on it looked as if the top two teams might remain perfectly matched but Warriors defensive back Adam Balson stepped up to claim an interception which he returned to the house for a pick six. 

Jackson hit receiver Lawrence Tuckett to extend the lead to eight points by adding the two-point conversion and seal a vital victory for the visitors. 

Both teams now have a free Sunday before meeting on July 22, at the Warriors’ Llanharan RFC home, in a game that’s likely to decide the division title.