Play-off woe for Shropshire Revolution

Revolution, who made the end of season play-offs after a final-day 37-14 win over Nottingham Caesars in Division One South, set up a knockout clash against Northumberland Vikings where the victor would go on to play a semi-final game with promotion at stake.

But Holtschke’s men struggled in the heavy rain in Northumberland and found themselves 16-0 down at half-time after conceding a couple of sloppy scores. For Revolution, who entered Division One in 2018, reaching the play-offs was a best-ever finish to a season.

But Holtschke admits one of the immediate emotions is disappointment.

“It’s mixed emotions really,” he said. “The season as a whole we achieved what we set out in our aim to make the play-offs but then we did not do ourselves justice in the game.

“Our defence were great, they were outstanding. But the offense did not get going. We had five interceptions and a fumble and you can’t win a game of football with six turnovers like that.

“We tried to rally at half-time but there was a freak play in the first action of the second half where it all went wrong and then it’s a long way back.”

Holtschke and his coaching staff completed their first season in charge of the Telford-based club with the same win-loss record – 6-4 – as in 2018 under the previous coaching staff.

“It was the first time in the Division One play-offs so when we reflect then we can deem it a success,” he added.

“We will be trying to improve year on year and for us, whether we make the play-offs or not in 2020, that is to improve on 6-4 and go 7-3.

“We had 20 rookies in the squad this year and we’ll try to do the same over the close season.”