BLACKHAWKS BACK ON FORM

Clyde Valley Blackhawks 20 Glasgow Tigers 6

Clyde Valley Blackhawks got back to their winning ways at the weekend with a come from behind victory over the Glasgow Tigers.

A few weeks ago, the Lanarkshire outfit suffered a morale busting defeat against the Edinburgh Wolves when a Stu Harrison touchdown catch ensured the points would head East in what had been a dull four quarters.

So with the playoffs still within their reach it was important that the Blackhawks rediscovered their form.   But they faced a Tigers side that had been showing good form of late, following their 20-6 win over Carlisle a fortnight ago.

And it looked as if the Tigers were carrying on where they left off when on the opening Blackhawks drive when quarterback James Keogh was picked off by William Cunningham, who  handed the Tigers side excellent field position.

It looked as if the Blackhawks defense were holding off the Tigers attack when Thomas Gorman managed to slip past his marker, connecting with a long diagonal pass for the opening touchdown.

For the home side that early score appeared to be the wakeup call they needed.  

They immediately stepped up the ante with some big runs from Graeme MacMillan. And it was not long before they were insight of the Tigers endzone.

The pressure continued when Davie Orr, bulldozed through a mass of bodies, edging Clyde Valley ever closer towards the goal line.

Minutes later, they got their just rewards when the running back hit the Tigers back line hard again, only this time breaking through for a tying score.   And with a successful conversion kick, it was the Blackhawks who had the upper hand with a one point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Clyde Valley picked up where they left off during their opening drive of the second period when another power run from “G Mac” took the home side towards the Tigers 31 yard line.

Then on the next play the visitors were caught off balance with a well-executed fake reverse move, ending with MacMillan turning on the speed again all the way to the endzone for a touchdown, with Tam Chapman once again nailing the extra point conversion kick.

The Blackhawks stretched their lead 30 seconds before the break when Gary Orr found a gap to pull in another touchdown catch.

Despite being two scores up, the Blackhawks could not add to their lead during what was a closely contested second half.  But having lost their last game at the death, last time – it was enough to make sure that there was not going to be a repeat performance and in the end a deserved win