DEMOLITION DERBY

PAISLEY PYROS 22 CALEDONIAN ROUGHRIDERS 40

Cally Roughriders finally got their season off the mark with a hard fought derby victory over the Paisley Pyros.

Last year the Pyros were the Scottish Conference whipping boys conceding over 270 points with only eight points scored, but despite having yet to record a win this season, they have already made opposing sides sit up and take notice with their never say die performances that have seen them double their points tally from last season.

Like their first campaign, the Pyros were lacking in personnel, with around 16 players in the squad that lined up against their Renfrewshire neighbours.

And Cally soon had Paisley on the defensive during their opening drive, but the Pyros managed to stand their ground at the 25 yard line and soon found themselves with a long road to the Roughriders goal line.

Unfortunately the Pyros made little impact on their opening series and had to rely on the boot of Punter Euan Bennet to get them out of trouble.

The home side received a welcome boost when Bennet’s punt took a welcome bounce and finished deep in Roughriders territory.

But the visitor’s quickly got themselves out of trouble courtesy of Cally’s top rusher from last season, Ian McGowan.

McGowan had just been through a turbulent campaign with the East Kilbride Pirates and was originally going to take a season out with the Roughriders in order to get ready for the new senior season.

But anxious to get his match sharpness back to speed, McGowan was back in Cally colours for the first time this season.

And it looked as if he had never been away, taking the ball clear from the danger zone, with a power run to the midfield and continued to eat up more yardage, taking the visitors ever close to the Pyros endzone.

Then Cally Quarterback Ally Choat found space in the Paisley defensive formation, firing a screen pass to Paul Docherty, who ran in with little resistance for an easy touchdown.

MORE