The sun was blazing, music was pumping, and The Nest was alive with energy as the Northants Ducks hosted the Haywards Heath Vikings for a jam-packed development day of flag football fun. With six Ducks teams taking on two travelling Vikings squads across the U11 and U14 age groups, the day delivered everything from highlight-reel touchdowns to heart-stopping defensive plays. 🖤 U14 Ducks Black – Dominant from the First Whistle Even with a few players missing due to the Easter holidays, the U14 Ducks Black team picked up right where they left off — in total control. From the opening snap, they imposed their will on both sides of the ball, delivering back-to-back statement wins over the Vikings and reaffirming their reputation as the top team in the country. In game one, the defence came out flying, intercepting the Vikings on their first three offensive drives and setting the tone for a clinical 28–0 shutout. Game two was just as ruthless. The Ducks suffocated the Vikings' attack and moved the ball at will, cruising to a dominant 39–2 victory. Jude steered the offence with poise, using his trademark elusiveness to escape pressure and keep the Ducks moving. Aaron made a standout touchdown grab at the front pylon, and Joel – on his well-earned debut for the Black team – tore through the defence with a series of explosive runs. Franek, Khymari and Toby brought the fireworks with a dazzling mix of power, agility, and flair, racking up scores and making life miserable for defenders. On defence, Sean and James were relentless, leading a unit that gave up barely a yard all afternoon. 💚 U14 Ducks Green – Grit, Grind, and Moments of Magic The U14 Green team delivered two thrilling performances full of heart, hustle, and highlight plays. In their first game, they found themselves in a back-and-forth battle, trading scores with the Vikings in a game that could’ve gone either way but ultimately ended up losing 28-18. Jaiden sparked the excitement with a stunning touchdown run, slicing through defenders from deep in his own half. Tebes dazzled with his signature moves and soft hands to grab the second, and Karol added a third with a confident finish in traffic. Defensively, the corners were on fire. Archie was everywhere, pulling nine flags in a standout ‘Golden Ball’ performance. Peter came up with a crucial chase-down tackle when the opposition looked certain to score, and Leon read the game brilliantly, snagging an interception on a 2-point attempt to swing momentum. In game two, the Greens came out swinging. Jaiden opened the scoring again, followed by a slick 2-point conversion from Karol. Then came the game-changing moment: a pick-six from speedy stand-in safety James that turned The Nest into a frenzy. “Big hair, don’t care” Tebes capped it off with another touchdown, showing his flair for the big moment. On the other side of the ball, James and Leon held firm at safety, shutting down deep threats and helping secure a well-earned 20–14 win. 🧡 U14 Ducks Orange – Fireworks, Fight and Flash The U14 Orange team may have been labelled a development side, but you wouldn’t have known it from the way they played. Their two games against the Vikings were packed with drama, end-to-end action, and flashes of serious talent — even if the final scores didn’t quite swing their way. ‘Action’ Jackson was a constant menace, powering through tackles and making plays through the air with his usual swagger. AK #47 (Alex) was everywhere — taking snaps at quarterback, hauling in touchdowns at receiver, and patrolling the deep middle at safety where he came up with multiple interceptions. Cameron turned on the jets every time he touched the ball and even made a spectacular interception off his own shoulder. Then came Xavier, whose jaw-dropping one-handed pick might just have been the play of the entire weekend. Emmanuel brought calm and consistency, locking down in defence and giving the quarterbacks a reliable target at centre. Lucas caused chaos at the line of scrimmage, disrupting plays with aggressive blitzing and shutting down the run. And Dan? Cool, composed, and clinical — every route run with purpose, every catch made with confidence. This was a team full of spirit, talent, and real promise. 🖤 U11 Ducks Black – Locked In and Lighting It Up The U11 Ducks Black were in no mood to mess about. From the very first whistle, they set the tone with a fierce, disciplined defence and an offence that clicked under pressure. Two strong wins — including a hard-fought 14–6 battle and a commanding 25–0 finish — showed just how far this group has come. Defensively, it was a masterclass. Japgun stole the show with two pick-sixes, reading the quarterback like a book and taking it to the house with style. Robert joined the party with a pick-six of his own, while Vilte and Dara were absolute rocks on the defensive side, shutting down receivers and making crucial flag pulls. On offence, the Ducks showed real composure under fire. Despite relentless blitzing from the Vikings, they moved the ball confidently through the air. Albert came up with a huge fourth-down catch late in the second game to keep the drive alive, then followed it up with a clutch touchdown grab. Blake and Fergus were electric, making big-time catches, including a sharp scoring play from Fergus that had the sideline buzzing. The perfect mix of grit and flair. 💚 U11 Ducks Green – Heart, Hustle, and a Winning Edge After a narrow loss in game one, the U11 Green team dug deep and showed real character in game two, edging a nail-biter 14–13 to split the day. This team has heart by the bucketload — and when it mattered most, they rose to the challenge. Charlie was the difference-maker, grabbing two, point-after catches that proved vital in a one-point victory. Erik was electric on the ground, powering through defenders with two long touchdown runs and leading with his voice on defence, constantly organising and lifting the team. At quarterback, Harry played like a seasoned vet, staying cool under intense blitz pressure and delivering smart, accurate passes throughout. On the other side of the ball, Brogan was a one-man wall — laying down the law with big stops and showing that, when it comes to defence, he’s got the instincts and the toughness to match anyone. 🧡 U11 Ducks Orange – Building Blocks and Breakthroughs This young U11 Orange team showed real fight and growth throughout the day, taking on more experienced opposition with fearless energy and ever-growing confidence. The scoreboard didn’t reflect their effort, but the progress was undeniable. Led by Sam at quarterback, the offence began to click as the day went on. Sam showed great composure under pressure, spreading the ball around and building trust with his receivers. Reggie ran with purpose, growing in confidence with every snap and finishing the day with a real spark. Christian added strong hands to the passing game, making several smart grabs to keep drives alive. Stefania had a brilliant outing, consistently getting open and reeling in catches that helped the offence tick. As the game wore on, the confidence grew — and by the end of the day, the Orange team looked like a different side, full of belief, fire, and potential. As the day wrapped up, there was a real sense that something special had just taken place. It wasn’t just about the wins — though there were plenty of those. It was about the energy, the growth, and the spirit shown across every age group, every team, and every player who pulled on a Ducks jersey. From standout plays and clutch performances to quiet moments of support and encouragement, the day captured everything that makes this club what it is. A huge thank you to the Haywards Heath Vikings for making the trip and bringing the best out of our teams. And to the families, coaches, volunteers, and supporters who bring the noise, the vibes, and the heart — days like this don’t happen without you. Ducks Fly Together!