Alpine Rams rally past London Warriors for first AFLE victory

The London Warriors (0-3) looked poised to claim their first win of the season before the Alpine Rams (1-1) stormed back in the second half to secure a dramatic 23-20 victory at Cherry Red Records Stadium in London.

For the Rams, it was a historic moment as the young franchise earned its first-ever win in the American Football League Europe, while the Warriors were left wondering how a promising start slipped away.

Warriors seize early control

The home squad could hardly have asked for a better opening.

London struck first with a safety to take a 2-0 lead and quickly built on that momentum when Raymond Sobowale powered in from two yards out for a touchdown. With Reiss Ormonde-Cunningham adding the extra point, the Warriors led 9-0 and had the visitors on the ropes.

The defense continued to make life difficult for Alpine, while Marcus Libman provided one of the highlights of the first half with a spectacular 46-yard reception that helped keep pressure on the Rams.

Ormonde-Cunningham later connected on a 42-yard field goal to extend the lead to 12-0 early in the second quarter.

Rams find a spark

Just when it looked like the game was slipping away, the Rams finally found their rhythm.

Seth Morgan connected with Kevin Kaya on a seven-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter. Although the extra point was missed, the score cut the deficit to 12-6 and gave the visitors some much-needed life heading into halftime.

That momentum carried directly into the second half.

Kaya leads the comeback

The third quarter belonged entirely to the Alpine Rams.

Morgan continued to attack through the air and found Devan Burrell for a one-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 12-12.

Moments later, the visitors took their first lead of the afternoon. Joel Kuta finished off a drive with a six-yard touchdown run, and Morgan connected with Kaya on the two-point conversion to give Alpine a 20-12 advantage.

Kaya proved to be the difference-maker. The receiver finished with six catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly making plays when the Rams needed them most.

Defensively, Braden Price came up with a crucial interception that helped swing momentum permanently in favor of the visitors.

Warriors fall just short

The Rams added breathing room in the fourth quarter when Benjamin Lolmede drilled an 18-yard field goal to make it 23-12.

The Warriors refused to quit. Kare Lyles found Marcus Libman for a 19-yard touchdown with just over two minutes remaining, and Kevin Laryea hauled in the two-point conversion to trim the deficit to three points.

But it was too little, too late.

The Alpine Rams held on through the final minutes though to claim a memorable first victory in the AFLE, while the London Warriors dropped to 0-3 despite controlling much of the first half.