INVERCLYDE RAIDERS GO TOP OF JUNIOR BRITISH GRIDIRON
LEAGUE
Last weekend the Inverclyde Raiders, who are the
current Scottish Junior Kitted Champions, travelled to Milton Keynes
in the first leg of their challenge to be the British Junior Kitted
Champions at 5 on 5 American Football.
Twelve boys, their Head Coach and their Manager
set off from the Battery Park, in Greenock last Friday morning and
stayed overnight at Northampton.
On the Saturday they travelled to Shenley Sports
Centre, in Milton Keynes to take part in a tournament involving
four teams to decide who would go to the top of the league.
As this is the first time a national league has
been set up for Junior Kitted, the governing body, BYAFA ( British
Youth American Football Association ) donated a trophy to the winners
of the tournament.
In addition to the Raiders getting the points they
were after they also brought the trophy home to Inverclyde.
The first game was against the Lancashire Pumas,
and proved to be a tight game throughout the first half with the
score at 6 - 6 . During the second have the Raiders defence held
sound and the offence pulled off some clever tactics to put another
18 points on the board and ending the game 24 - 6.
The second game was against the Mersey Predators
and the offence went on the attack from the start taking 6 points
and a 2 point conversion.
The defence held sound and turned play over to the
offence with the Predators failing to get any points.
This put the offence in the mood for more blood
and took the ball into the Predators half of the field in the first
down. With the next two downs they took the ball to within five
yards of the end zone and drove the ball over in the fourth for
a touchdown. The Raiders failed to get the 2 point conversion, but
this put the score at 14 - 0 to the Raiders at half time.
The second half then proved to be a very tight game
with both defences holding off the offences until the Raiders made
a break and took the ball two thirds of the park to score their
third touchdown of the game, and get the extra 2 points.
The predators then pulled off a similar move catching
the Raiders off guard to score their first touchdown of the game,
but this was all they were to get and the Raiders refused to give
them their extra points. The game ended 22 - 6 to the Raiders.
The third game proved to be the clash of the titans
as at this stage the Yorkshire Rams had won both of their previous
games, this resulted in what was to become the very best of American
football with both teams fighting it out and the scores going one
way and then the other.
The Yorkshire Rams are one of the best teams in
England and all the money was on them to win the game and the tournament,
however the Raiders had other thoughts in mind and although the
Rams were first to draw blood with an excellent long ball deep into
the end zone for a touchdown and conversion to put the score at
0 - 8 the Raiders remained focused and quickly returned the favour
with a drive through the centre of the Rams defence to get their
own touchdown and conversion point.
It was then the Rams turn again with another touchdown
and conversion for 2 points. The raiders then went up another gear
and took the ball the full length of the park for a touchdown and
a 2 point
conversion ending the first half with the Rams ahead 15 - 16.
The second half was every bit as nail bitting, but
the Raiders were proving they had what it takes to win the game
and pulled of some excellent moves leaving the Rams defence wondering
who had the ball ?,
When they eventually worked it out, it was too late
the Raiders were in the end zone with it to score their third touchdown
of the game and a 2 point conversion.
This was then followed by another touchdown and
1 point conversion and the Rams were beginning to feel the game
slipping away from them.
 A
mistake in the centre field by the Raiders cost them a touchdown
and 2 point conversion by the Rams, but it was clear the Raiders
had control of the game which ended 30 - 24 to the Inverclyde Raiders
MVP man of the tournament went to the Raiders Quarter
Back, Jason Gillespie.
The Raiders would like to thank their sponsor,
FRAOCH SECURITY SERVICES LTD and the 1st Hardingstone Scouts for
the accommodation and their hospitality.
Milton Keynes Junior Kitted Bowl Results
Lancashire Pumas 6 v 24 Inverclyde Raiders
Merseyside Predators 12 v 19 Yorkshire Rams
Inverclyde Raiders 22 v 6 Merseyside Predators
Lancashire Pumas 6 v 6 Merseyside Predators
Inverclyde Raiders 30 v 24 Yorkshire Rams
Lancashire Pumas 0 v 36 Yorkshire Rams
Pics C/O Inverclyde
Mariners
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