Clansmen
warriors march on!
Pics C/O Isobel
Hamilton
Jeff Bryan
The Stirling
Clansmen booked their place in this season’s play-off’s
with a hard fought 28 – 12 victory over the Newcastle Raiders.
Stirling began
the game pinned inside their own 15 yard line, however the Clansmen
offence marched down the field on their opening drive behind the
running of both Jon Sutherland and John Chilton, the drive was capped
off with a 40 yard touchdown reception by Carlos Yanes – Roca.
Sutherland added
the 2 point conversion to give the Clansmen an early 8 – 0
lead.
The Stirling defence held tough, shutting down the Raider offence
throughout the first quarter.
The Raiders
first drive ended when Stirling’s Jeff Bryan stripped the
ball and the fumble was recovered by Craig Stewart. Stirling was
unable to capitalise on the turnover and Newcastle took possession
once again after QB James Thompson’s pass was intercepted
by Chris Wan. Newcastle, still unable to find their way through
the Stirling defence and were forced to punt.
Stirling again
found their way through the Newcastle defence with some excellent
running and Sutherland scored his first touchdown of the day for
Stirling when he found the end zone from five yards out to give
the Clansmen the lead 14 – 0 at the end of the first quarter.
Poor field position
and numerous penalties prevented the Clansmen offence from adding
to their lead in the 2nd quarter.
Newcastle finally
got on the board when on third and long Stewart Robson broke into
the Stirling secondary and down the sideline for a 27 yard touchdown
run pulling Newcastle to within 8 points at halftime.
Stirling began
to take control in the second half when Newcastle’s opening
drive was ended by Stirling Safety Steven McGlaughlin who broke
up a pass and tipped it straight into the arms of Jeff Bryan for
the interception.
The Clansmen
offence looked to be stuck in neutral when, in his usual fashion,
Carlos Yanes-Roca pulled in a crucial diving catch for a first down.
Sutherland then found his way through the Raider defence for a 27
yard touchdown run; Chilton added the 2 point conversion and Stirling
has increased their lead to 16 points.
Newcastle hit
straight back, putting together an eighty yard drive which ended
with Matt Barton running it in from 5 yards out.
Stirling’s
defence came up big in the 4th quarter stopping Newcastle both through
the air on the ground and forced a turnover on downs twice and allowing
the offence to run out the clock.
The victory
was sealed when Chilton ran 25 yards straight through the Raider
defence for his first career Clansmen touchdown giving the Clansmen
a 28 – 12 victory.
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