ITS TOUGH AT THE TOP

CLANSMEN SURVIVE FIRST REAL TEST OF THE SEASON
Stirling Clansmen 14 Glasgow Tigers 8

PICS BY FRANK MCGROARTY

Having walked all over everyone that has been in front of them this season, Stirling Clansmen found themselves in a "real game", but still managed to come out on top in a tense hard fought encounter against the Glasgow Tigers.

A second touchdown from Jonathan Neilson was enough for the Clansmen to hold on to their 100% regular season record earning themselves some breathing space at the top of the British College League Scottish Conference.

Coming into this game, both sides were had experienced mixed fortunes in their opening fixtures, even though both of them remained undefeated.

The Tigers on their opening three games have had to come from behind to clinch victory, two in over time, where as the Clansmen have been on easy street during their opening games, clocking up 150 points with only six conceded.

Judging by the form book so far, the odds were firmly in favour of the Clansmen, who have shown significant improvement from last year.

However with the reigning Scottish Conference champions having shown so far this year that even though they have not fund the kind of form expected of the reigning Scottish Champions, they have shown through some gritty performances, their determination to hold on to their title.

Even though they home side were without a couple of key players, the pressure was still on the Tigers, who were not only without the services of key rusher, Ronnie Gaffin through injury, but also missing from their line up was last weeks match winner against Napier, Matt Burke.

And the home side could not have asked for a better start, when they found themselves 2 yards from the Tigers goal line.

Despite some tough defending and a holding penalty then Clansmen found themselves a long third and goal.

But Canadian Quarterback Brandon UImer finished the move off, connecting with Neilson, who sprinted to the far side for the opening touchdown, which was followed Robin Whyte running in the two point conversion.

Having got on the score sheet so early, confidence was high on the Clansmen side lines and it was now a test for the Tigers rear guard to see if they will go the same way as previous teams have against Stirling this season.

But the "Men in Black" gave notice that this was not going to be another Clansmen whitewash giving them little room for manoeuvre on their next drive, forcing them to punt away possession.

Going into the second quarter, this was turning into the type of battles you hope to see in the College League, with no change in the scoring at the end of the first period.

Then at the start of the second quarter, the Clansmen soon found themselves on the back foot when Grayson Lee made a long completion to Grant McAuslan, taking the ball to the Stirling 27 yard line.

However the home side manage to regroup and the visitors drive stalled and eventually turned over possession.

The Tigers had a luck escape on their next drive when a Lee pass headed straight to Victor Peredo who had a clear view of the endzone, but the ball agonisingly fell through his fingers.

As they moved closer to half time, frustration appeared to be creeping into the Stirling play, with Ulmer trying to regain control of the game with a number of the long pass attempts which fell out with the reach of his receivers.

However the Tigers offense was starting to gain in confidence and came close during the latter stages of the first half when Lee powered through the middle breaking two challenges but was denied a clear run to the endzone through a last gasp challenge.

But there was not further progress on the drive but confidence there was not let up on the Tigers work rate following the resulting punt, when Ulmer under heavy pressure from the Glasgow defense was sacked in his own endzone for a two point safety.

The confidence continued to grow for the Tigers on their next drive and was soon threatening the Clansmen endzone when Lee fired a long pass to Grant McAuslan resulting in excellent field position and a first down.

Minutes later, Lee connected with Jon Dickinson, who pulled in an excellent catch, taking the ball home for a tying score.

The Clansmen, who had been so dominant in previous game, realised that they had a real fight on their hands as both sides continued to battle for crucial advantage in what was an enthralling contest.

It needed something special for either side if they were to gain the upper hand.

And the breakthrough came in the dying embers of the third quarter when Ulmer delivered a text book pass up the middle to Neilson, who ran in a welcome six points for the Clansmen.

The battle for supremacy continued with the Clansmen desperate to put this game to bed. And they should have gone further ahead in the final period when a completion to James Stevenson gave the receiver a clear run into the endzone, but a breakdown in discipline resulted in the score being chalked off for a personal foul penalty.

With no change in the scoring going into the final two minutes, the Tigers had one more change to stage another one of their famous come backs when McAuslan returned a Clansmen Punt to half way but Stirling forced a fumble which they recovered at mid field.

Even though the Clansmen remain unbeaten, the fact that they were pushed all the way on this occasion by the Tigers, who turned in their best defensive display of the season.

And with the regular season approaching its half way point, the evidence is there that this is going to be anything but a one horse race for this year's Scottish crown.

If the both teams continue to hold their form, we could be looking at a title decider in two months time when both teams meet again at Garscube Sports Centre.

Feb 24 th . Mark that down in your diary. That game should be one of for the books.