Seahawks Nationals take win in Balearics Cup

18th of November 2023, the Sealand Seahawks National team were licking their wounds after two painful defeats in Montpellier and Reykjavik and keen to turn things around.

The stage – San Moix Stadium, Palma for their fourth game, this time against Spanish top flight team, the Mallorca Voltors led by ELF coach Jesus Sanchez with a very strong team following wins in the Spanish preseason cup. This would be the Voltors’ third international match after hosting the Thundering Herd in 2018 and Sealand’s last opponents, the Reykjavik Einherjar in 2019.

A loss here would mean a slide to 1-3 and Drew Anderson was determined not to let that happen, especially with royalty in attendance: Prince Michael and Princess Mei of Sealand greeting and wishing the Seahawks luck before going out for the coin toss.

The game started poorly for the Seahawks, the passing game spluttering and leading to 2 interceptions before quarterback DeRuyter connected with receiver Aqueel Diwan for the first touchdown of the day. National champion Aaron Bowcott making sure the point after sailed between the sticks (and in fact out of the stadium)

Seahawk running back Andy Johnson had a sensational game, eventually winning him the offensive MVP as he just refused to be tackled, eventually crashing over the line for the second score, with Bowcott easily converting the PAT.

Tolo Flaquer, QB for the Voltors was incredible with a pinpoint pass in the corner of the endzone, with them making the PAT.

Joy for Mallorca was quickly turned to upset with receiver Steve Cox taking the following kick off the length of the pitch for another Seahawks TD as he righted the wrong of scoring against the Seahawks Masters for the Guadalajara stings a couple of months before.

The kick for the PAT making the score going into the half 21-7 to Sealand.

The back and forth continued through the third and fourth quarters with Prince Michael coming pitchside to watch a terrifying defensive stand by the Seahawks defence within their five yard line- the Voltors going four and out meaning all Sealand needed to do was kneel the ball out to get the victory in front of a very happy monarch who bought every player, coach and staff member a pint in the bar afterwards.

Unable to nominate a single defensive MVP after a massive game by the defensive line, it was given to the entire unit, with this being coach Charles Brooke-Taylor’s first time in charge of them.

A huge thanks to Jesus, the players, the coaches and the staff at the Mallorca Voltors for putting on a great game in a great venue. What’s next for the Seahawks? The Seahawks Masters are playing the Pirates Masters in Glasgow next February with this also being the setting for a Shehawks open training session as they prep to play the Prague Harpies later in the year.

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