LONGHORNS DO THE DOUBLE !!!!!

Report Eric Dougan:   Pictures:   Jim McInally

The Lanarkshire Longhorns travelled South for the second time this season, for their return leg with Gateshead Senators.

After last week-end’s convincing win the Longhorns were in confident mood on arrival in Gateshead, but Coach Clee and defence captain Steven Munro made it clear that there should be no complacency among the players as Gateshead were on their home turf and wouldn’t be looking to repeat their previous performance.

Jacques Findlater got the Longhorns offence off to a decent start with a 15 yard kickoff return, but after a few short run plays by Andrew Steen, Matthew Kennedy punted the ball back deep into the Senators’ redzone.

On their first play the Senators fumbled after a tackle by Jamie McLaughlin who recovered the ball and ran it in for an 11 yard touchdown to which Matthew Kennedy then added his first PAT of the day.

After Kennedy’s kick-off found the Senators’ endzone the Longhorns defence returned with a purpose, as  Marc Reilly, Steven Munro and Sean Fallon combined with Scott Frame and Robert Gallagher to limit the Gateshead offence to 9 yards rushing and returned the Longhorns offence with great field position. QB Ally Ferguson then made his mark on 4^th down with a 19 yard rushing touchdown which Kennedy again finished off with a completed PAT.

Another kick-off into the endzone left the Senators’ offence starting the next drive deep in their own half. Again the Longhorns defence, with strong tackling from Munro, Frame,McLaughlin, David McInally and Anthony Dougan, stopped the offence from completing a first down, forcing a punt.

Ferguson returned to the field and after a short drop off to Steen sent Kennedy for a 54 yard TD reception, his third 50yd+ score this season.

After another PAT completion possession returned to Gateshead and again the tackles rained in from across the Longhorns defence to force another Gateshead punt, ending the Quarter with Lanarkshire 24 – 0 ahead.

The Longhorns made no progress on the first series of the second Quarter but quickly regained the ball on Gateshead’s next possession after Munro forced a fumble which was gathered up by McLaughlin for his 2^nd recovery of the day. Gateshead however stood firm, sacking Ferguson on 4^th down and regaining control of the ball at their own 25’.

They then put together a 44 yard drive which could twice have resulted in a touchdown, but for a textbook tackle from Sean Fallon after the runner broke through at the Longhorns 26’ followed by an equally vital tip by David McInally preventing a pass reception right on the goal line.

The Longhorns couldn’t move the ball on their next possession and an intense first half came to a close.

Gateshead’s first possession of the second half saw them leaning heavily on their running game which paid off when they finished the drive with a 34 yard TD run and conversion.

Both defences then dug in and the penalty count started to climb. William McLaughlin broke the deadlock when he forced a fumble at the Senator’s 10 yard line and the subsequent punt only reached the 20’.

Steen made up a few yards on the ground before Ferguson threw for 17 yards to Jacques Findlater who pulled in his first receiving touchdown for the season. Kennedy failed to complete the extra points but sent the kick-off again into the Gateshead endzone.

The Senators then put together another series of run plays aided by 2 roughing penalties against the Longhorns, and were fortunate to recover a fumble forced by Steen. Having lost some ground from their own penalties the drive was brought to an abrupt halt when Munro stopped the runner in his tracks at the Longhorns 38’.

More penalties left the Longhorns with too much to do and with tensions rising amongst both sets of players Kennedy’s punt brought the 3^rd to an end with Lanarkshire now 30 – 8 in front.

The 4^th opened as did the 3^rd with Gateshead running the ball and Lanarkshire’s defence stacking up the tackles. Despite progressing for 13 yards the Senators went back to where they started after Steen broke through the ‘line to drop the runner in the back field.

With no options left Gateshead went for a pass attempt on 4^th down only for Callum Wallace to step in with an interception at the 35’.

Steen promptly took the ball back into the Gateshead half with a 21 yard run followed by another 2 carries taking the Longhorns back into the Senator’s endzone.

Ferguson was then unable to complete a number of passes and after both teams had exchanged possessions the Senators once more moved to their passing game.

The second attempt on their final drive was tipped by William McLaughlin and was followed by a fumble recovery courtesy of tackles from Munro and Filmer, recovered by Scott Frame. The Longhorns proceeded to run down the clock and seal the win.

MVP Offence : Ally Ferguson          MVP Defence  :  Steven Munro