Photo © Paul Briscoe 2012
In a very close game, the Stallions opened the scoring with a Safety after keeping MMU pinned within their own 5 yard line for much of the first quarter, followed by a touchdown by running back Richard Adiyia.
To their credit, MMU's heads never dropped, and they tied the score up in the second quarter with a long touchdown drive and a successful 2 point conversion.
The scores remained level at 8-8 throughout the whole 2nd half, with neither side able to capitalise on their chances. The Stallions defence held MMU out on key 3rd & 4th downs, including a momentous stop just inches shy of a first down deep in the 4th quarter.
With a lack of any further scores, the game headed to Overtime, the first for Staffs since their heartbreaking Double Overtime loss away at Leeds Celtics back in the 2009 season.
Staffs received the ball first, and a long run from QB Glyn Chadwick gave the Stallions a fresh set of downs, with a penalty against the MMU Defence proving costly, as it took the Stallions even closer to the goal line.
Finally, on 4th down, Chadwick took the ball again, this time on a QB sneak and broke the plane sufficiently for the touchdown to be awarded.
The game was not yet over, as MMU still had a drive of their own. The Stallions were greatly helped by a holding call on first down, giving MMU 1st and 20 on the 35 yard line, a fate from which they wouldn't recover. On 4th down, the MMU QB threw a deep ball which fell incomplete in the endzone, ending the game and resulting in celebration for the home team.
The Stallions now have a week to recover and improve before they face the Liverpool Fury at the stables on Superbowl Sunday.
Game MVP: Stallions Defence
Offence MVP: Glyn Chadwick
Defence MVP: Joe Doyle
Special Teams MVP: Richard Bayes
Rookie MVP: Dan O'Donnell