2001 National Championship – Bowl 14
The Southern Sundevils defeated the Handforth Hammerheads 62–0 to win Bowl XIV and the 2001 BYAFA Youth Kitted Championship. Southern combined a powerful running game with the country’s top-ranked defence.
Match Details
| Event | BYAFA Bowl XIV / 2001 National Championship |
|---|---|
| Teams | Southern Sundevils vs Handforth Hammerheads |
| Final Score | Southern Sundevils 62–0 Handforth Hammerheads |
| Date | TBC |
| Venue | TBC |
| Kick-off | TBC |
| Competition | BYAFA Youth Kitted |
| Head Coaches | Graham Thorpe (Southern Sundevils); Stephen Rigby (Handforth Hammerheads) |
| Officials | TBC |
Road to the Final
- Northern semi-final: Handforth Hammerheads 8–6 Dundee Storm
- Southern semi-final: Southern Sundevils 20–18 London O’s
Game Summary
Handforth lost the opening kick-off, and Southern converted the turnover almost immediately. MVP Shaun Smith’s 48-yard run set up Dale Powell’s opening touchdown. Dan Baynham added the conversion. Baynham then found Coultas for a touchdown, Smith caught the conversion, and Smith ran 49 yards for another score. Jenkins returned a fumble about five yards for a touchdown, with Darren Skeels adding the conversion, to make it 32–0 after the first quarter.
Skeels scored twice from four yards in the second quarter as Southern reached half-time 48–0 ahead. A 40-yard Baynham pass to Coultas set up another Skeels touchdown in the third. McIlroy intercepted a Handforth pass in the fourth quarter and later scored from nine yards; the successful conversion completed the scoring. Handforth continued to compete and reached the Southern nine before the Sundevils defence stopped the final threat.
Scoring Summary
| Period | Scoring play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| First quarter | Dale Powell rushing touchdown; Dan Baynham two-point conversion | 8–0 |
| First quarter | Baynham touchdown pass to Coultas; Shaun Smith two-point reception | 16–0 |
| First quarter | Shaun Smith 49-yard rushing touchdown; Coultas two-point reception | 24–0 |
| First quarter | Jenkins fumble-return touchdown; Darren Skeels two-point conversion | 32–0 |
| Second quarter | Two Darren Skeels rushing touchdowns; conversions by McIlroy and Irving | 48–0 |
| Third quarter | Darren Skeels rushing touchdown; conversion unsuccessful | 54–0 |
| Fourth quarter | McIlroy nine-yard rushing touchdown; conversion successful | 62–0 |
Photograph
A surviving BritballNow photograph shows the Handforth Hammerheads on offence during the final. The original caption credits Nigel Payne via BYAFA. It can be added after migration into the WordPress Media Library.
Date Note
BritballNow dated both the final report and its separate semi-final-results item 9 November 2001. As that date was a Friday and cannot safely represent both rounds, it is treated as an article date rather than a verified playing date.
Related Links
2001 season page
Youth Kitted Champions (U19/U18)
Previous National Championship Game: 2000
Next National Championship Game: 2003
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