CORNISH SHARKS 50 GLOS BANSHEES 12

THE final game of a long, hard season was played out on the field at Newquay Sports Centre.

Gloucestershire Banshees made the trip with a depleted squad, ravaged by injuries and last-minute pull-outs.

They nonetheless gave a good account of themselves against a rather heavy handed Cornish outfit, and the final scoreline did not bear any reflection to the sterling performance of the Banshees.

Within the first minute the visitors marched down the field with no penalties and promptly went in for a touchdown from Shaun Griffin, the extra point going wide.

After that the home side managed to score throughout the second, third and fourth quarters, putting the game out of reach of the Banshees.

In truth the Banshees marched the Sharks defence up and down the field for long periods, getting within striking distance of a score on no less than six occasions only to be thwarted by basic errors.

With less than a minute left the final play of the day saw Griffin going over in the corner for his second touchdown, once again the extra point going wide.

The day really belonged to number 22 running back Griffin.

Needing just over 100 yards to break the magical 1,000 barrier, he finished the final game of the season on a high of 119 yards.

This gave him the 'holy grail' of American football for the second season in a row.

Griffin said: "Without the O line I wouldn't have made it.

"Now it's going to cost me a packet. Tradition has it that if I break the 1,000 the O line gets a free meal and I pick up the tab."

Banshees coach Maurice Myers (inset) said: "I can't really go into the close season without some honourable mentions.

"All the Banshees did well but a few caught my eye.

"Richard Lusty for his sterling defensive work, Bobby Crough for his excellent offensive line work, Gary Williams playing the last three games with a broken wrist and – last but not least – Craig Harris and Brian Myers for the blocking they did for our 1,000 yard rusher."