That
is more like it!
The
Claymores discovered their winning feeling today (Sunday 27th April)
after competing a memorable double whammy against Berlin Thunder
at the Olympic Stadium, winning 34-17
After
being on the receiving end of a 62-31 hammering a few weeks ago,
pride was certainly the motivating factor as they battled to bet
their World Bowl campaign back on track with their first win of
the season.
During
that first game at Hampden, it was an end to end offensive display
with a record 59 points total after just the first two quarters.
And
it was the Germans that got the game off to the perfect start on
their opening drive when David Allen exposed the Scots weakness
in protecting against the run, tearing up the field, evading a couple
of challenges for the opening touchdown, which was converted by
Axle Kruse.
Claymores
desperately needing to rediscover their lost zip on offense decided
to stick with Craig Nall at quarterback for the whole game.
And
the Green bay Packers triggerman engineered an impressive drive
in reply, culminating in a bursting run from Ken Simonton for the
tying score, which was converted by Rob Hart to make it seven a
piece.
The
windy condition seemed to be playing havoc with the Claymores receivers,
but running back Mike Malan was having a productive day at the office
making some impressive gains, helping the Claymores keep their next
drive alive.
And
Nall was able to find his other catchers picking off Anthony Bright
for a 10 yard touchdown catch, with Hart tagging on the extra point
once again.
The
Thunder appeared to be enjoying a new lease of life under Quarterback
Phil Stambaugh, but the Claymores defense managed to hold their
ground forcing Kruse to go for the field goal to reduce the deficit
to four points
The
Scots soon regain their lead when Rob Hart split the uprights from
32 yards to put the Scots 17-10 ahead
The
momentum then dramatically swung back in the Germans favour on the
resulting kick off, when Harts kick was caught in the wind and was
promptly returned 74 yards from Allen for his second touchdown of
the day.
The
Claymores appeared to be struggling on their next drive, but lady
luck soon smiled on the visitors when Kevin Stemke's punt was fumbled
in the Berlin backfields and was recovered by Malan, putting the
Scots in great field position.
And
the Claymores appeared to be stretching further ahead, when Maurice
Hicks found a gap through to the end zone but the ball was pulled
back for a holding penalty on Scott McCready.
But
the Scots still managed to add to their total when Hart split the
uprights for his second field goal of the day, giving the Scots
a three point half time lead.
The
Claymores got off to the best possible start on their opening drive
of the second half when Nall fired the ball to Simonton for first
down and a whole lot more for his second six points and a lot more.
The
Germans were under more pressure when a pass for Cedric Simmons
was knocked down to Radelle Lockhart for a big turnover.
But
two plays later, lady luck smiled on the Thunder, when a Craig Nall
pass for Scott Couper was picked off by Jeff Harris to give the
home side another opportunity to get back into the game.
But
the Thunder were dealt a cruel hand when after an impressive defensive
stand by the Claymores, JR Jenkins connected with a 50 yard field
goal, but was pronounced dead the moment it hit the air due to a
delay of game penalty and having to punt the ball away, leaving
the gap still at ten points.
The
Claymores almost turned the ball over again during the early stages
of the final quarter, when Simonton fumbled the ball, but it was
quickly recovered, giving the Claymores another third down opportunity.
But
Rod Strafford was not having the best of days in the Olympic Stadium,
not being able to connect to a Nall pass once again, forcing the
Scots to punt the ball away.
One
of the key elements in the Claymores victory over Berlin this season
was how their defense stepped up in the second half and it was the
same this afternoon forcing the Germans to punt again.
But the Scots gave
away a stupid penalty giving the Thunder another chance to punt
the ball way, which landed in the Claymores red zone.
However a long completion
from Nall to McCready got the Scots out of trouble. And Nall
linked up with the English Receiver once gain, putting the Claymores
in great field position.
A few plays later,
Berlin found themselves with a mountain to climb, when Nall picked
off Edell Shepherd for another touchdown, which was converted by
Hart to make it 34-17 to the visitors.
Stambaugh was then
given a torrid time by the Claymores defensive linemen, being pummeled
to the ground twice in succession, forcing the Germans to kick the
ball away once again.
With the minutes
ticking away, the Claymores proceeded to run down the clock and
finished worthy winners.
With the season reaching
it's half way stage, Berlin are now struggling and are running out
of time to try and rescue their season
As for the Claymores,
this was a valuable away win for Gene Dalhquist's men, who now face
a crunch match this coming Sunday at Hampden against the Barcelona
Dragons, who captured a valuable scalp against Rhein Fire in Spain.
A win at home will
put the World Bowl dream back on schedule - time to break out the
indigestion/nerve medication me thinks!
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