Pirates slam Senators

Report by Bill Campbell

The East Kilbride Pirates got their 2010 campaign off to a winning start with a 34-6 victory at Gateshead Senators on Sunday 9 May.

Any concerns that the Senators already had two wins under their belts and may be into their stride were quickly forgotten as East Kilbride received the opening kick off and put together an 8-play, 62-yard drive, ending with Iain Dick running in from the 4-yard line.

Tight End Mark Murphy tagged on the extra point and the Pirates were off and running with a 7-0 lead. That lead was doubled early in the second quarter. Another solid drive, this time of 11 plays, saw Quarterback Ryan Hunter round it off with a 7-yard run, and while a low snap meant the extra point attempt had to be aborted, quick thinking saw Hunter retrieve the loose ball and pass to Murphy for a 2-point conversion.

There was no further scoring before the interval which arrived with East Kilbride 15-0 ahead.

The Pirates kicked off and immediately forced the home side to go 3-and-out. Although pinned back deep in their own territory, EK steadily moved the ball forward before a 23-yard field goal from Murphy made it 18-0.

A failed attempt at an onside kick gave Gateshead good field position, but they failed to capitalise and turned the ball over when Defensive Back Scott Findlay intercepted a wayward pass from home Quarterback Chris Doyle. Findlay’s return gave the Pirates’ offense a short field to work with and they did take advantage when Hunter ran in his second touchdown of the day, this time from 17 yards. Murphy added another conversion to stretch the visitors’ advantage to 25-0.

Gateshead weren’t about to give up though, and on their next possession, reduced the deficit when Quarterback Lee Fraser found receiver Matt Long for a 6-yard touchdown. The same pair tried to add the 2-point conversion but Long was tackled short of the endzone.

Into the final period and East Kilbride rounded off a good day with two further scores. Firstly Murphy added a second field goal (21 yards) then Defensive Back Graham Young picked off a wayward Fraser pass and returned the interception 35 yards for the final touchdown of the game. Murphy’s conversion attempt was blocked, so 34-6 was the final outcome.

To find more about the team or to get involved, visit www.piratesfootball.co.uk or email info@piratesfootball.co.uk You can also find the team on facebook at www.facebook.com/piratesfootball.