East Kilbride Pirates 32 – 30 Leicester Falcons
Posted By Admin on February 24, 2010
Pirates progress to semi-finals as Falcons take flight
The Pirates qualified for the Division 1 Play-off semi-finals, but only after having been given an almighty shock by opponents Leicester Falcons, at home at Whitecraigs Rugby Club on Sunday. Leicester fought gamely throughout the tie and the result was in doubt right to the dying moments.
East Kilbride got off to a nervy start, and after receiving the opening kick-off, they started the initial drive on their own 2-yard line. On the first play, they fumbled the ball which was gleefully snapped up by Saul Freer of the Falcons. Leicester took the advantage straight away and three plays later scored on a 3-yard run by Timi Dada, The resultant conversion attempt was blocked, but East Kilbride were 6 points down early in the game. The deficit doubled on Leicester’s next drive, when quarterback Brad Thompson passed to Dale Hawes for a 27-yard touchdown. Leicester went for a 2 point conversion but failed to score. The Pirates quickly got on the scoreboard when quarterback Craig Towler broke a 70-yard run on the very next play, then Steven Kane converted to make it 7-12 in favour of the visitors. Leicester were far from finished, and their subsequent drive was rounded off by another Thompson – Dawes connection, this time on a 10-yard, 4th down completion. Again the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, but the Falcons were content to move into the second quarter with an 18-7 lead. After a whirlwind 1st period, the only score in the second was a twice-taken, 25-yard field goal from Steven Kane. So at 10-18 down, the Pirates had it all to do in the second half.
Leicester were first to take the ball after the interval, but their drive stalled and they were forced to punt. The Pirates then put together a sharp, 9-play drive, finishing with a scoring, 2-yard run from Iain Dick. Towler also ran in the 2-point conversion to level things up at 18-18. The Falcons’ next drive was again shut down and they had to punt. Kick returner Scott Findlay was happy to receive the short kick and he returned it 50 yards for the touchdown and the Pirates first lead of the day. Kane’s conversion meant East Kilbride were 25-18 ahead as the game went into the final period.
Early in the fourth Quarter, Leicester narrowed the gap when Thompson threw his third TD of the day, this time finding Richard Davis from 14 yards out. Yet again, Leicester went unsuccessfully for the 2-point conversion, leaving the home side just one point ahead. That lead was stretched midway through the quarter on what can only be called an unusual play. Running back Iain Dick lost his balance while lining up for the play, and fell, face first, to the ground. As he lay there motionless, the ball was snapped and Dick jumped up expecting to receive a “false start” penalty, but instead found himself receiving the hand-off from Towler. Undaunted, he ran the ball fully 38 yards to score in controversial circumstances. Kane added the extra point to make it 32-24 late in the game. The Falcons still weren’t done though and quarterback Stuart Franklin found receiver Chris Rodrigo for a 7-yard touchdown. Leicester went for the 2-point conversion that would have tied the scores but the pass fell incomplete. The Pirates recovered the ensuing attempt at an onside kick, and were more than pleased to run out the clock to end the game.
East Kilbride will now face the Ipswich Cardinals in the semi-finals of the Division 1 play-offs, with the game at Whitecraigs Rugby Club, Newton Mearns this Sunday (12th).
Game report by Bill Campbell
Comments
Leave a Reply