RAMS END HAWKS WINNING STREAK
 BYAFA
Northern Conference
North Lanarkshire Rams 14
Clyde Valley Hawks 12.
The curtain came down on Clyde Valley Hawks two
and half year unbeaten record, losing a 26 point thriller to local
rivals North Lanarkshire Rams
Ever since the Scottish Youth league first started,
both teams have been involved in memorable encounters from heavy
defeats by the Hawks to the Rams edged out 23-20 in a classic first
ever Scottish Youth final back in 2002.
Today at St Maurice’s High School playing
fields was another one for the books this time for the Rams, ecuring
a result that is certain to send some shock waves throughout the
rest of the British League.
And the day was the perfect send off for Rams and
Scotland quarterback David O’Rourke, who was playing his last
game before moving out to the States.
Having being overpowered 40-12 by the Hawks back
in May, Clyde Valley were favourites to complete the clean sweep
over their Northern rivals.
But it was a very inept Hawks offense that started
today’s game and surprisingly gave up possession on their
opening drive, with John Heron recovered a fumble at the Clyde Valley
20 yard line.
However the momentum swung back to the visitors
when Ali Longford recovered another loose ball but the offense failed
to exert any real pressure on the Rams rear guard
The trade offs continued till early second quarter
when Adam Donaldson beat up some major yardage on the opening drives,
taking the ball to the Hawks four yard line.
 Then
on the next play the Rams rusher barged through the middle for the
opening score.
Many people were expecting the Hawks to get straight
back into the game, but it was the Rams who were playing full of
confidence and with minutes of the first half remaining, were still
holding on to their six point lead.
The Hawks desperately tried to pull of a moral boosting
tying score before the break, but were lucky not to give up a safety
when Quarterback Ben Han was sacked a few yards from his own goal
line Greig McIntyre.
And Hann promptly felt the force of a second Rams
blitz on the second play, but still managed to stay on the right
side of his own goal line.
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