A gritty display from a below-strength Sabres squad saw them take local rivals Essex Spartans right down to the wire at Gloucester Park.

But the plucky performance from the 16-strong squad was not enough to see the Southend team get off the mark.

Getting away - Sabres quarterback James Dawson releases a long pass in the clash with Essex Spartans. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

Brave defending kept their Basildon opponents at bay for three quarters of the match, but an unconverted TD in the final quarter proved decisive.

The first half produced few chances at either end as both sides defended stoutly.

Sabres' DE James Lawrence claimed his first two quarterback collars of the year, but the biggest play of the half was a wind-assisted punt which cleared 70 yards before dropping out of bounds.

In the second half Sabres had their best chance to win the game when QB James Dawson floated a pass into the centre of the end zone only to see the ball narrowly evade Lee Walsh after he had broken away from the cover.

But that disappointment seemed to knock Sabres off their stride and in the final quarter they conceded the decisive score.

Spartans running back Gary Dillon raced 25 yards up the left sideline, breaking two arm tackles to reach the end zone.

And as the game drifted to its conclusion, Essex wide receiver Paul Simpson fluffed a great chance, dropping a pass from Aaron Griffiths on the five-yard line.

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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