STIRLING BOMBED OUT BY LANCASTER

The Lancaster Bombers rebounded from a disappointing road loss last week to upset the defending British Collegiate American Football League (BCAFL) champions the Stirling Clansmen 16-6 and improve their record to 2-1 in the Northern Conference Borders division.

The Bombers won the toss and after a good kick-off return by Joe Black, the offence took the field. Strong running from the backfield duo Scott Ashman and Marc Siaka as well as some smart audible's by Bombers QB Mike Rudd saw the Bombers march up the field only to be denied when, deep in Clansmen territory a Rudd pass was intercepted and returned 60 yards by the Stirling #24 to give the Clansmen the lead 6-0.

The 2 point conversion attempt was soundly stuffed by the Bombers defence and after another kick-off, the Bombers offence took to the field.
Right Guard Gaz Naylor and Right Tackle Alex Roberts executed a text-book counter on the first play of the series and Siaka took full advantage to move the chains and the ball into the Clansmen half.

The following play, Left Guard Phil Watton and Left Tackle Boy de Waart, not to be outdone, executed another counter with Siaka again following, this time for a rush of 64 yards and the game tying touchdown. Rudd and Siaka then made his own trip into the end-zone on an option keeper to make the score 8-6 to the Bombers.

In the second quarter the Bombers defence took a firm hold of the game with big hits from Linebackers Joel Shupe and de Waart as well as excellent pressure from the Defensive Line with Daniel Haslam in the Stirling QB’s face almost incessantly and DT’s Keith James and Pat Wilfong causing chaos in the Stirling backfield.

Cornerback Rob Ahlin made his presence felt with a crucial interception to end a drive when Stirling looked threatening. Later in the quarter, the Bombers had the Clansmen pinned back deep inside their own 10 yard line and on the attempted punt, the Stirling Long Snapper had so little room for maneuver he snapped the ball over his despairing punter’s head and out of the end-zone for the safety to make the score 10-6 to the Bombers.

Following the safety punt, the Bombers received the ball and the offence then proceeded to drive down the field thanks to some good blocking from the Offensive Line which led to gains from Ashman, Siaka and a reception from Tight End Andy Doran. The drive stalled however deep in Stirling territory and the Bombers went in with the 10-6 lead at half time.

Stirling received the ball on the opening kick-off of the second half but saw their drive go up in smoke when Rob Ahlin made his second pick of the day, allowing the offence to take over. Rudd and his backfield then took full advantage of some good blocks from the offensive line and again marched down the field culminating with Siaka’s second TD of the game to make the score 16-6, the two point conversion attempt failing.

The Clansmen clearly rattled came out with all guns blazing on their next possession but a fumble recovery and an Adam Pemberton interception saw to it that they were unable to make any real inroads to the Bombers lead.

A tense fourth quarter took place with the Stirling QB exercising his arm to make completions to his go to guy, Carlos Yannos-Rocca but as much as the Bombers defence bent, it didn’t break in the end-zone and sacks by de Waart, Keith James and Daniel Haslam saw to it that the Clansmen didn’t find the end-zone.

After an unsuccessful 4th down conversion attempt Siaka ran the ball to run the clock down and Rudd then took a knee to end the game and secure a famous victory for the Bombers, snapping in the process Stirling’s 17 game winning streak, dating back to last season.

Match report by the Lancaster Bombers

For other Clansmen match reports, click here to go to the Stirling Clansmen Page

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