Blitz topple Pirates once again

Report by Bill Campbell

Photos by Duncan Gray

East Kilbride Pirates 7 – London Blitz 19

 

For the fourth year in a row, the Pirates’ season came to a premature end at the hands of the London Blitz. While the margin of defeat was considerably closer than in 2014, it still means that there will be no trip to Brit Bowl again this year.

 

With the two teams knowing each other’s game so well, a close encounter was always on the cards. Similarly, it was no surprise that both defenses were well on top. Each side punted on their first possession, and then London lined up for a 37-yard field goal attempt on their second. However, the kick from Jack Daley went wide of the right hand post. East Kilbride had to punt again leading to a 54 yard scoring return by Michael Aboujaoude for the first TD of the day. Daley’s conversion attempt again drifted wide right, but the visitors had their noses in front 6-0.

East Kilbride started the second quarter badly, fumbling the ball away on their own 7-yard line. Fortunately for the home side, London reciprocated and Sam Ogunlana quickly got the ball back for the Pirates. The next Blitz drive was to prove more productive though. On its sixth play QB Tim Liechti found a wide open Henry Charlton-Weedy from 2 yards out. Daley successfully added the extra point to stretch the lead to 13-0, a scoreline that remained unchanged before half time.

 

The start of the third period was even worse than the second for EKP. Paul Mitchell caught a Neil Baptie pass on the sideline and was tackled and pushed out of bounds. On his way to the ground the ball came free and landed in the field of play. It was picked up by London’s Halldor Halldorsson who ran it back 40 yards to score. A wayward snap on the conversion saw the Blitz attempt a 2-point pass, but it was picked off by Tom Lachendro to hold the score at 19-0. A monumental 65-yard punt by Dean Jardine pinned the Blitz at their 1-yard line, and 5 plays later Rob Worboys intercepted a Liechti pass, giving East Kilbride their best field position of the day. It took just four plays to capitalise, with Baptie running home from 9 yards. Craig Black added the extra point and reduced the deficit to 19-7.

 

In the final quarter, East Kilbride tried to make the most of on the momentum shift, but the Blitz held firm. Indeed it was they who had the next scoring attempt, but Daley was off target once more with a 25 yard field goal. The Pirates’ last chance came late in the game, and after a good drive, a fourth down pass to Jamie McLaughlin was stopped 2 yards short of the end zone. With the Pirates unable to stop the clock, the Blitz were happy to take a knee to close out the game. They now go forward to meet their old rivals, London Warriors in the final on September 5 at Allianz Park while the Pirates can regroup and prepare for the 2016 campaign.