PIRATES DO IT AGAIN

East Kilbride Pirates 50
Gateshead Senators 3

We are half way into to the 2009 season and it seems as if there is no stopping the East Kilbride Pirates after they turned in another text book offensive display against the Gateshead Senators.

When they were in the BAFL League Premier Division, the Pirates were taking on the country's best, playing their home games on a public playing field.

And even though they had done enough to justify their status as a Premier League side, league restructuring and financial pressures meant that the Pirates could not sustain the forthcoming season in the top flight and were forced to drop down a division.

Having featured in two UK Premier finals in the past, dropping down a league could have so easily dented the Pirates reputation as a Premier league side, but following today's display, stepping back could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to them.

During the opening few weeks of the season, the new look Pirates roster and coaching line up have more than proved that they were a major force in the Northern Conference and strong favourites to go all the way to the national final having not lost any of their games.

And in their second game at their new home at Hamilton Rugby Club the Pirates also showed that they have also grown as a franchise compared to last year, which will certainly stand then in good stead as they battle to regain their position in the top flight.

It may have not have been as easy to find as their previous ground (but then that is probably me - a man that gets lost in his front room)

On offer to the fans, you have barbecue, the chance to buy Pirates Merchandise, be close to the action from either from the pitch side barrier or from the enclosure, with a special mention to the game commentator, who did a good job keeping spectators up to speed with what was going on the field, even though there were occasions where he appeared to be rehearsing for the next series of "Britain's Got Talent".

Then for potential advertisers, the pitch side barriers provided prime positions for possible promotional banners. But that would account for nothing if there was a product on the field.

And today the Pirates delivered a text book performance against the Senators side which kicked off during the opening few minutes.

Gateshead had the worst possible start on their opening drive after just a couple of plays when quarterback 15(name to be confirmed) was picked off my Ross Templeton, who ran the ball back for the opening touchdown.

After mounting an ineffective response, the Senators were handed a break on the resulting punt which was fumbled deep in the Pirates end of the field, recovered by the visitors, handing them excellent field position.

But the strength of the Pirates defensive unit came to the fore sustaining any Gateshead pressure and forced the English to go for a field goal attempt, which was good enough to open their account.

The Pirates were on the march again when Ryan Hunter connected with Kenny Muir who pulled in an excellent catch for a new set of downs.

Minutes later, Hunter decided to pull off what has become one of his trademark runs, sprinting 19 yards for another six points, from which he added a successful two point conversion attempt to make it 14-3 for the Scots at the end of the first quarter.

Gateshead were pinned deep in their half at the start of the second quarter and their punt failed to alleviate the pressure.

And the first play of their next possession, the Pirate showed no mercy as they rammed home another terrific touchdown when Iain "Sparky" Dick showed the Gateshead defensive backs a clean pair of heals, sprinting 35 yards all the way to the endzone.

Gateshead's troubles continued on their opening drive when (15) were picked off again, this time by Craig Thomas at EK's 25 yard line.

The Pirates were stating to open out the Senators defense moving the ball up field and soon at the endzone in their sights again when a hand of to Craig Towler for another significant gain to the Gateshead 20 yard line.

Minutes later Blake Kyle shrugged off 3 challenges to run in another well executed touchdown. Then following a 15 yard penalty, the Pirates under pressure, fired a pass to a heavily marked Jamie McLaughlin who pulled in a great catch for the two point conversion.

The rout continued with Spark doing just enough from a few yards out for his second score of the day, from which he added the two point conversion for a 36-3 lead.

Gateshead to their credit continued to battle hard to take something from this game and hit back with an excellent kickoff returned all the way to the EK 14 yard line, however the drive stalled.

Then inside the two minute warning, Hunter fired a long pass to Kenny Muir, who brought the ball down inside the Senators red zone.

The Pirates QB then held on to the ball to run in another six points and then took advantage of some crunching tackles to run in the two point conversion.

Hunter then rammed home the final nail in the Senators coffin following some text book blocking from the Pirates clearing the way for Hunter to sprint 34 yards for his touchdown hat trick.

At the moment, things could not be better for the Pirates, and they are in a perfect position with regards to clinching the division and will be favourites to go all the way to the final, but they themselves know that they still have a number of the tough challenges coming their way.

If the Pirates do get promoted, hopefully the league would have another look at their league structure again for 2010, but the Pirates would still have to contend with a major challenge in making themselves more financially viable to compete at the Premier level.

But judging by today's evidence, it won't be for the want of trying.