OH THEY DO LIKE TO WIN
BESIDE THE SEASIDE
Cumbria Mariners 0 Clyde Valley Blackhawks 34

Editors Note: Despite the emphatic score line in their previous encounter two weeks ago, the Blackhawks headed down south for a much anticipated clash against fellow BAFA Wannabees, the Cumbria Mariners, who this time were determined to show the Blackhawks that they were a force to be reckoned with.

But did the Mariners deliver the fireworks, or did it turnout to be a damp squb. Colin Macmillan, takes over the story:

Clyde Valley Blackhawks took their first road trip of the year to play the away leg with the Cumbria Mariners. The game was played in Whitehaven.

The bus left Wishaw at 8.30 am and you could feel the tension on the bus .Would we win? Could we lose?

The team were a few key players down and had another few travelled with slight injury worries.

When they arrived in Whitehaven you could feel the tension building in the changing rooms. Coach Orr got all the players gathered together and gave his pre game talk

When game time came around the Blackhawks were ready to go but firstly no referee's had arrived yet and no observer from the league. This was rather frustrating but in the end all arrived and kick off took place.

The Mariners won the toss and chose to receive .

They had a fair drive going and were just managing to grind out the yards helped by careless penalties from the Blackhawks but in the end the Defence did its job and stopped them when Clyde Valley's Graeme MacMillan settled the visitors nerves when he ripped the ball from Mariner's Roger Gambles and sprinted 15 yards to the end zone for the opening TD ( 6 v 0) David Orr (jnr) safely booted over the extra point(7 v 0)

This TD set the tone for the afternoon with the omnipresent, swarming Blackhawks defence preventing the Mariners from mounting a sustained drive. Blackhawks punter, David Orr (jnr) continued to pin the Mariners deep in their own half with some booming punts. Tam Chapman, who was the game MVP, gave the Mariners the worst field position when he stopped the punt on their 1 yard line.

Unable to make the necessary yards they punted the ball but only as far as their 20 yards line. Blackhawks capitalised on the next play when David Orr (jnr) took the reverse handoff and scooted up field to add to the score(13 v 0) 

He further added to the tally when he slotted the ball through the uprights for the extra point ( 14 v 0) David Orr (jnr) showed his versatility when, on the Mariners next drive, he intercepted a wayward pass but the possession didn't last long as on the next play a fumble handed the Mariners the ball back but two sacks from Tam Chapman and David Orr (snr) forced Cumbria to try for the field goal.

However Craig MacMillan drove through the line and blocked the attempt. The Blackhawks then took control of the game and behind some powerful running from James Festorazzzi and brothers Graeme and Craig MacMillan another score was added when Craig MacMillan dived over from two yards out behind some great line blocking ( 20 v 0)

The sure foot of Tam Chapman slotted over the extra point ( 21 v 0)

The half ended with further upset for the Mariners when a fumble was converted into points when Blackhawk's QB Mark McKenzie linked up on a thirty yard pass to Tam Chapman who was wide open in the corner for a TD,( 27 v 0) this time the extra point attempt was blocked.

The second half began as the first ended when, on the first play, Graeme MacMillan took the handoff, bounced outside and behind some great blocking from the line and his brother Craig Macmillan and he scurried 81 yards to the end zone leaving a shocked Mariners team in his wake.(33 v 0).

Once more David Orr (jnr) kicked the ball over for the extra point( 34 v 0)

All hope was not lost for the Mariners as on their next drive Roger Gambles swept round the left hand side and sprinted for the first down before being pushed out of bounds.

However the fates were definitely conspiring against the Mariners as the game was forced to finish early when the ambulance had to leave for another job.

The Blackhawks would like to thank their travelling supporters. And also Cumbria Mariners for their hospitality and friendly yet very competitive manner in which the game was played .

Clyde Valley are continuing to look for players with or without playing experience.

If you are interested give Coach Orr a phone on 01555 664810.We train at the Beltane park in Wishaw on Sundays from 1 till 4 you are welcome to just come along .

BLACKHAWKS DOWN MARINERS

Pics C/O Clyde Valley American Football