WORCESTERSHIRE Black Knights slipped a narrow 8-6 defeat at Torbay Trojans in their first-ever competitive match.

Mike Harris grabbed a touchdown for the Black Knights on their debut in the British American Football Association (BAFA) National League Division Two South West Conference.

It was a promising performance from the Worcestershire side, who had completed their associate season last term.

And the Black Knights host Jurassic Coast Raptors in their first home league match at Kings Norton Rugby Club on Sunday (2.30pm).

Travelling with 40-plus players, the Black Knights had high hopes of beating Trojans, who lost 6-0 to Cornish Sharks the previous weekend.

The first drive for both teams ended in a punt with nerves getting the better of both outfits.

Starting their second drive on their 20-yard line, the Black Knights slowly drove up the pitch securing five first downs with hard running from Jay Styles and Sam Bennett.

An injury to right guard Rahim Bas led to a time-out and rookie offensive lineman Will Hicks was thrown into the fray.

Continuing the drive up the field, the Black Knights punched the ball in from five yards with running back Mike Harris claiming an historic first score for the team.

The extra point Attempt was tipped by the Trojans and left the score at 6-0.

Starting the second quarter with the ball, the Trojans drove down the pitch but came up short on the Knights’ 18-yard line.

A punt was blocked by Trojans which gave the hosts the ball on the eight-yard line. Three plays later Trojans had the ball in the end zone to level the match.

Making the best of a bad snap, Trojans ran the ball in for the two points to move 8-6 ahead.

The Black Knights’ defence stepped up in the remainder of the second quarter with defensive lineman Alex Grimsley and linebacker Josh Chambers recovering fumbles to give the attack great field position. However, they were unable to capitalise.

Going into the fourth quarter, it remained 8-6 to the hosts.

A long pass conversion by Black Knights quarterback Alex Tailford to wide receiver Mike Cimarosti and some hard running moved them up to Trojans’ 20-yard line. Deciding to go for it on fourth down, the Knights ran it up the middle. However, the ball was spotted agonisingly short of the first down marker, giving possession back to Torbay.

The Knights offence had a final chance to drive up the field and get the points to secure the win.

After solid running by Jay Styles and quarterback Ben Dillon, the team got to up the Trojans’ 30.

However, Knights’ all-or-nothing play on fourth was unsuccessful with the Trojans’ safely picking off the ball and allowing them to see out the game.