Pirates move up the table after tense win over Wolverines

Article by Bill Campbell - Pirates

 

East Kilbride Pirates 16 – Lancashire Wolverines 10

 

While it may not have been pretty to watch, the Pirates did just enough to win this tense encounter by sufficient points to leap-frog their opponents and take second place in the Division. The ultimate destination of the 2015 title will be decided over the next two weekends when the Wolverines travel to Tamworth on Sunday, then the Phoenix come north to face East Kilbride on Saturday 1 August.

 

The Pirates came out fired up for this vital confrontation, and took just four plays to open the scoring. Iain Dick ran in a 2-yard TD to cap a 52-yard drive, and while Craig Black’s conversion kick was blocked, an early 6-0 lead had been established. The offence was back on the field just four plays later following a Lancashire punt. However, a holding penalty moved the home side backwards then a bizarre fumble gave away possession on their own 4-yard line. Running back Adam Kyle was tackled behind the line of scrimmage then tried to pitch the ball back to his QB but only succeeded in giving it to a grateful Lancashire player. The Wolverines failed to capitalise fully though and had to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Paul Stewart to reduce the deficit.

 

Into the second quarter and East Kilbride notched their second TD of the day. Following a couple of short completions to Kevin Reynolds, QB Neil Baptie hit Andrew Meechan with a 26-yard pass that took him to the endzone. Black’s PAT was successful this time around, making it 13-3 to the home side. The Wolverines’ reply saw them move to a 1^st-and-goal at the Pirates 2-yard line, but a sack by Sam Ogunlana and then an interception on the very next play by the same player got the ball back. Unfortunately East Kilbride returned the favour when they fumbled the ball away for a second time. This time the visitors did take full advantage and an 8-yard pass from Sam Bloomfield to Toby Sirkett, followed by a successful Stewart kick left the score as 13-10 at the interval.

 

A very quick third period saw both teams have only two possessions each. On their first the Pirates added a 28-yard field goal by Black for what was to be the last scoring play of the day. Both sides traded punts to start the fourth quarter as nerves began to get frayed. East Kilbride did move the ball down field, but their drive came to a halt when a Baptie pass was picked off in the end zone. More punts ensued as both defences stepped up their game and scoring chances were few and far between as the game was played in the middle third of the field. As the final whistle drew near Lancashire had one last drive, but Steven Kane forced the ball loose from the running back and Jimmy McIntosh recovered it to allow the Pirates to subsequently take a knee and end the game.