PYROS VICTORIOUS!
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After a dismal home performance against Sheffield Sabres the previous Sunday (Sabres 66 – 16 Pyros), the Pyros were looking to shake off the cobwebs and prove a point.

It had been 3 weeks since these two sides had last met, with home side Sunderland taking the win after a poor third quarter performance from the Pyros offence.

The Pyros defense started the match after the Kings kick return was snuffed out by Paul Thomson (#66) deep in the Kings half.

The Kings offence failed to make any yardage on the ground, so they went to the air unsuccessfully and were forced to punt.

The Pyros offence then took to the field and initially made some long yardage on the ground, but the Sunderland defense soon keyed on the motion and the drive was snuffed out for a turnover.

The Kings second drive came within 10 yards of the Pyros endzone. The Pyros defense, looking to stamp their mark on the game early on stood their ground for 4 plays, giving up little yardage for the turnover.

The Pyros offence failed again to make any ground, and the Kings then drove again into the redzone, forcing the Pyros D into another Goaline stand. The Kings went back to the air on 4th down to seal the first Touchdown of the game. The PAT was unsuccessful.

The Pyros offence stumbled through the next few drives, failing to make much yardage, forcing the Pyros defense onto the field for most of the first quarter.

A tired Pyros defense eventually gave up 2 more touchdowns after long drives down the field, one rushing, one through the air. Both extra point attempts were unsuccessful.

The Pyros offence finally got it together early in the 2nd quarter when Ben Alkureishi (#11) made a 50 Yard pass to Tal Peer (#44) who took the ball into the endzone for a TD.

The extra point attempt was carried into the endzone by Euan Shearer (#34). This drive rejuvenated a tired defense who held Sunderland to no score in the second quarter.

Half Time Score: Paisley Pyros 8 – 18 Sunderland Kings

The Pyros started on offence in the Third quarter, and the Pyros Third Quarter jinx looked to continue as QB Ben Alkureishi (#11) fumbled a handoff to fullback Alasdair Klimowicz (#18) and was recovered by the Kings for a turnover.

The Kings seeking to take quick advantage of this opportunity went to the air on their first play but were intercepted by Ben Alkureishi (#11) who ran the ball in for a 55 Yard defensive Touchdown.

The venomous Pyros Defense stepped back on the field after kickoff only to repeat their previous effort, with Tal Peer (#44) making the interception on the Kings first play, and running it in for a 30 Yard defensive Touchdown.

The PAT was converted on the ground by Gavin Hannah (#80) for his first score of the season. More trouble was in store for the Sunderland Offence when they lost a fumble which was recovered for a Touchback by Jonathan Bastit (#69).

The Pyros found themselves for the first time in their club history leading the match by score, and keen to keep the lead, the Pyros offence stepped up to the plate to compete for Touchdowns with their own defense, with a long drive upfield. It took a 3 yard rush from Euan Shearer into the endzone for the Pyros 2nd offensive TD.

The extra point was unsuccessful. The Kings failed to make any ground in the Third Quarter as the Pyros Defensive Line and Linebackers were putting tremendous pressure on the Kings QB, forcing 4 Sacks, 2 from Paul Thomson (#66), 1 from John-Paul Broughton (#67), and 1 from Tal Peer (#44). The Pyros Defense shutdown the Kings for the rest of the Quarter and were looking strong going into the forth.

The Pyros were looking to seal the victory but the offence was beginning to falter under heavy pressure from the Sunderland Defense. Sunderland were desperate for a score to get back into the game and managed to drive the ball up the field and put pressure on a tired Pyros Goaline Defense.

Their quarterback managed to sneak over the line for the score just before the 2 minute warning. The extra point was unsuccessful.

The score stood at 28-24 to the Pyros in the dying stages of the game, when the Pyros, looking only to run the clock with a series of rushing plays sent quarterback Ben Alkureishi on a sneak and broke free and ran through the King’s secondary untouched for a 65 Yard Touchdown. The PAT was unsuccessful.

The referees called the game after the TD due to the lack of Daylight, with less than a minute left on the clock.

Final Score: University of Paisley Pyros 34 – 24 University of Sunderland Kings.

Game MVPs: Offensive MVP – Ben Alkureishi (#11)
Defensive MVP – Jonathan Bastit (#69)
Honourable Mentions:
Paul Thomson (#66), Tal Peer (#44), John-Paul Broughton (#67)