Yorkshire rammed by Pirates

Game Report - Bill Campbell

 

Photo courtesy of Alex Daniel Photography

 

Yorkshire Rams 0 - East Kilbride Pirates 61

 

With the Conference championship now firmly back in their sights, East Kilbride put up a dominating performance in the quest to retain their title.

 

They got off to the perfect start when Paul Mitchell returned the kick off 81 yards for a touchdown and Craig Black quickly converted for a 7-0 lead in the opening seconds. That advantage was doubled on the first offensive possession, Sam Ogunlana having recovered a Rams’ fumble forced by David McInally. QB Neil Baptie was the man score this time, running the ball home from the 10-yard line and Black again converted. Later in the first quarter running back Iain Dick added the third TD following a 1-man drive. Dick covered 67 yards on four carries before strolling in from the 3-yard line. The extra point attempt was low but East Kilbride were 20-0 ahead at the end of the period.

Early in the second quarter it was the defence who got in on the scoring act. After putting Yorkshire into a punting position, a wayward snap was recovered in the endzone by McInally for a TD. East Kilbride then tried to run in a 2-point conversion, but failed. The Pirates’ next possession ended when a 46-yard field goal attempt by Black fell agonisingly short, but a score was soon to follow however, and Neil Baptie ran in his second TD, showing a good turn of speed from 43 yards out. Black’s kick made it 33-0 and finished the first half scoring.

 

Yorkshire received the ball to start the second half, but quickly had to punt. The Pirates scored again when Baptie notched his third rushing TD of the game, this time from 23 yards and Black converted. With the score having moved to 40-0, the “running clock” rule was invoked. A fact both teams quickly became grateful for as the previously sunny conditions were replaced by a blustering wind and heavy rain. There was to be no let up in the weather and no let up in the Pirates’ pursuit of points. Baptie fired a scoring pass to Jamie McLaughlin from 22 yards, with Black again converting. The condensed game moved into the fourth quarter and another Pirates’ drive ended with a touchdown. Adam Kyle carried the ball over the line from 3 yards and Black added the extra point once more. The final score of the game came when Sam Ogunlana claimed his second fumble recovery of the day, returning this one 17 yards to the house before Black concluded the scoring for the day.

 

The Pirates now have three home games left to clinch firstly a play-off place and also hopefully retain the Northern Conference title. The first of those games is on Saturday 18 July when Lancashire Wolverines visit Hamilton Rugby Club. East Kilbride will be looking to avenge their opening day defeat by the Wolverines as well as wanting to edge out the Lancastrians in the race to the post season. Kick off is at 14:30.