Hawks
soar to British Championship title
Clyde
Valley Hawks 46 - Lancashire Wolverines 6
 Clyde
Valley Hhawks came through a nightmare journey down South to return
home as British Champions, following a convincing 46-6 victory over
Lancashire Wolverines.
Having come through a second perfect
regular season, the Hawks were favourites to come away with their
first British title, but were given the worst possible preparation
for the biggest game in their lives when their bus broke down on
the motorway.
But a delighted Head Coach, Duck
Collins paid tribute to the character shown by his squad who came
through to win the biggest game of their lives.
He said: "To
go back to back perfect seasons is an incredible achievement for
a young team whose core still have another 2 yrs to play at
youth level ."
"Our preparation was totally disrupted as the bus's engine blew
up on the journey down which seen half of the team standing on a
cold m-way embankment for a couple of hours as the fire brigade
and police seen to the busted bus .then when we get to the ground
we find that there's some technical changes that can have an effect
on the game.
However on the day we done our talking on the field and categorically
proved that we are the best team in Britain it was also very pleasing
to see the Glasgow Tigers winning the BYAFA Shield."
"Scotland can be proud of the fact that we fulfilled all our league
schedule and the teams are striving to work together so that we
can become a better footballing nation by SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE
which can now be seen by the number of quality players emerging
through out Scotland.
"Now it's time to look forward to the game against England next
month and hopefully we can get the job done there also.
The Hawks game game started slowly
with Hawks unable to make much progress on offence but the defence
dominated the Wolverines offence with M.V.P. Andy Reynolds intercepting
a wayward pass, his first of three on the day.
This domination continued against
a physically bigger offence with a goal line stand on the one yard
line which gave the wolverines an idea of the punishment that
was going to be dealt out by the hawks defence on what proved
to be a benchmark day for the 'D'
It took to the second quarter
before the Hawks managed to get into Lancashire's half. Hawks defence
ignited the game when Tam Chapman blocked a punt which bounced sweetly
into the arms of Alistair Longford, who carried the ball to the
Wolverines 21 yard line.
Two plays later QB Mark McKenzie
hit Gary Orr in the back of the endzone for the opening touchdown.
Tam Chapman converted the extra points. Hawks Kevin McCann and Tam
Chapman gave further inspiration to the Hawks when they sacked QB
David Mead.
Another blocked punt; this time
by Gary Orr was recovered in the endzone by Tam Chapman for a touchdown,
he also kicked the extra points. Hawks defensive supremacy continued
when they forced Lancashire to punt from their own 3 yard line.
A high snap sailed over Matthew
Lord's head and out of the endzone for a safety. With the half coming
to an end Hawks drove upfield with a 21 yard pass to Lee Collins,
this was capped when Craig MacMillan barrelled over from the 4 yard
line for a score. Again Chapman added the extra points.
Clyde Valley stamped their authority
on the game in the second half, when firstly the offence scored
on a blistering 19 yard run by Lee Nelson and then the defence scored
when a Reynolds interception was carried all the way to the endzone.
However the Wolverines put together
a scoring drive of their own. Adam Broomhead connected on a pass
from QB Mead, this was followed by two runs from #33 and ended in
a touchdown on a seven yard reverse from Sam Fogg.
The rally continued briefly as
Lancashire recovered the onside kick but a sack from Tam Chapman
and John Devoy added to Wolverines misery. Lee Nelson completed
the Hawks scoring on a scorching 52 yard run and completed 136 yards
for the day.
Although the Wolverines blocked
the extra point attempt, it was recovered in the endzone by Orr
for the two points.
Further misery was piled on when
Hawks defensive line sacked Mead in the back field. Hawks then ran
out the clock and finished the game as British Champions. Hawks
would like to thank the supporters who made the long trip, as well
as their sponsors, Rollon, J. Kyle Cleaning, CCM and D&J McKenzie.
Glasgow
Tigers v Wessex Stallions Match Report
If you want to see another version
of the Hawks final, then click here.
|
