PIRATES EXTEND WINNING RUN

E.K. Pirates 26   Doncaster Mustangs 6

East Kilbride Pirates extended their winning run in the British Division One Northern Conference with an almost repeat performance over the Doncaster Mustangs.

Technically there should be a slight amendment to that opening statement as it has been a number of years since the Pirates have actually played at East Kilbride. 

After a successful season at the Hamilton Rugby last year, the Pirates are now based at the training base of the Glasgow Warriors Rugby Club, Whitecraigs Rugby Club at Newtown Mearns.

But in today’s economic climate, that should not be held against them as they are not the only club forced for economic reason to move away from their spiritual home.

I am sure that they will return there one day, but as it has been a number of years since they played at their place of origin, I wonder if a possible rebranding may be on the cards.

If it is good enough for NFL, then it is good enough for the Pirates.  

As for the game itself, EK could not have asked for a better start to the season, having yet to drop a game this season with a 27-7 win against Doncaster on their ground already under their belts.

But even though they came into this game as clear favourites in their first home match of the season, the Mustangs were determined to make sure that the Scots that they were going be a tough nut to crack.

There was very little to separate the teams for most of the first period in what was a hard fought defensive battle.  

The Pirates were starting to make an impression during the latter stages of the first period with some big runs by Iain “Sparky “ Dick, eventually taking the home side insight of the English goal line.

The Scots rusher finished the move off, crossing into the endzone form a few yards out, with Mark Murphy, tagging on the extra point kick for a 7-0 lead.

The EK defense stepped up the work rate during the early stages of the second quarter with the English making very little progress for their efforts.

It was not long before the Mustangs moving into the Pirates side of the field, blew then momentum when Lee Collins grabbed a big interception, giving the Pirates some breathing space, taking the ball up field to their own 35 yard line.

The drive unfortunately stalled, but the Mustangs blew the momentum again when the Mustangs QB was picked off again by Blair McTague taking the ball all the way to the endzone.

Much to their frustration the touchdown was chalked off and the Mustangs still had possession.  

But with the way the Pirates defense were playing they could not make the most of their second opportunity

The Pirates were forced to make changes at the start of the second half with Head Coach, Darryn Trainor having to get kitted up for the injured quarterback, Andy Mackintosh.

But the home side still came out firing on all cylinders at start of the third period and increased their lead when “Sparky” blasted through the middle of a mass of bodies running half the length of the field for a touchdown, with Murphy adding on another successful conversion kick.

Despite being two scores down, the Mustangs continued to push hard to get back in the game but still lacked the killer touch in the endzone, but still forced the Pirates to start another new drive deep in their side of the field.

However Blake Kyle took some pressure off the home side with a powerful run upfield.

Minutes later a pass to Kenny Muir saw the receiver leave the defensive backs for dead with a 54 yard run into the endzone for a 20-0 lead.

Even though they had shown plenty of effort, it was difficult to see if Doncaster were going to break their duck or not.  

But going to the final period, the English were starting to find their way through the EK defense and where unlucky to have a touchdown chalked off when Paul Oates was ruled not to have control of the ball in the endzone and was ruled as an incomplete pass.

Two plays later, Doncaster finished the move off when Jeremiah Jordan rumbled in for the touchdown.

Even though the score had taken the shine off a solid defensive display from the Scots, the Pirates did have the final word when Trainor connected with Muir again for his second touchdown of the day and a 26-6 final score.