A ROUGHRIDE FOR NAPIER!

Caledonian Roughriders 20 Napier Mavericks 0

It seems like only yesterday that Caledonian Roughriders were once deemed at the College League Scottish Conference whipping boys, having once conceded 150 points in two games

But time is a great healer!

As the seasons progressed, things continued to look up for Cally with the dark days of the first season a dim and distant memory.

And it was only a matter of time before the Renfrew based outfit would be regarded as genuine play off contenders.

Today they more than strengthened their case for a place in the knock out stages with a commanding victory over a lack lustre Napier Mavericks.

Having rolled over the Glasgow Tigers the week before, this was a new test for the Roughriders who were up against a Napier side, needing the points to stay in the hunt on a muddy playing surface which in places resembled nothing more than a plough field.

But there was nothing going to distract the Roughriders from building on last weeks win, not even obstacles like a passer by's Alsatian trying to leg it with one of the end zone markers.

In what was well organised Cally performance on both sides of the ball, there was no evidence of last weeks marathon, with a full official refereeing crew with watches that work.

And as for the game itself, after a first quarter lead from a Ryan McCluskey touchdown, the home side were always in control against a lacklustre Napier side, who despite a few flurries, did very little to penetrate the rock solid home guard.

After ineffective opening drive by the Roughriders, Napier appeared to be threatening the home goal line, but a tough defensive stand off pushed the visitors back beyond the line of scrimmage forcing the Mavericks to punt away possession.

And after that, there was no looking back for the home side as shown on their next drive.

Despite starting there next drive deep in their own end of the field, Cally had Napier on the back foot when Jamie McLaughlin ate up some big yards taking the ball to the Napier 40 yard line.

Unfortunately the drive stalled and they had to punt away possession, but the momentum swung back in Cally's favour after Napier fumbled the ball on the first play of the next drive, handing the home side excellent field position.

Minutes later the visitors were promptly punished when Cameron sent a completed pass to Ryan McCluskey, breaking a tackle down the far side, avoiding the dog mess (give all Scottish Clubs stadiums please) and diving over goal line for the opening touchdown.

Confidence was high for Cally going into the second quarter and despite making little headway during the opening spell of the second period, Napier soon found themselves in further trouble, when a poor snap resulted in a frantic scramble for the loose ball, which was downed in the endzone by McLaughlin to put the home side 12-0 to the good.

As the half progress, the Roughriders continued to have the majority of the territory. And even they gave Napier very little room for manoeuvre; they could not build on their lead with no change of scoring going into the break.

The home side were starting to make their presence felt early in the third period and increased their lead courtesy of some Cally survivors from the dark days, with Jamie McAnsh, powering through a mass of bodies for another touchdown.

Then on the two point conversion, Cameron took the snap and rolled back up field and pick off Ian McVeigh, who made the catch in the far corner of the endzone, much to the delight of the Cally sideline as well as the receiver himself.

Next week, the Roughriders return to their home pitch, where they will play host to this year's frontrunners for this year's Scottish Conference, who destroyed the Paisley Pyros in the other Scottish match today.

If Cally can keep the momentum going then they will be firmly in the driving seat for the knock out stages and will be a tough match against any team.

The dark days of the first season are well and truly behind them.