TIGERS BRAVE FIGHT

GLASGOW TIGERS 0 MERSEYSIDE NIGHTHAWKS 6

With a squad of just 14 players the Glasgow Tigers made the journey south to play
The Merseyside Nighthawks knowing that only a supreme effort from every player
would be enough to compete in this game.

That was indeed what Glasgow Head Coach Taylor got from his team as they battled
and fought for a result against all the odds.

The Nighthawks started well and held Glasgow’s Offence to three attempts
and a punt and then the Merseyside Offence began a long drive of 60 yards
on the back of the power running of Damian Routledge.

However some resolute defence by the Tigers and a holding penalty stopped the Nighthawks just short of the goaline.

Then an interception and 65 yard return by Glasgow Cornerback Graham Whyte gave the Tigers good field position and dug them out of a hole.

Whyte who was the Tigers man of the match amassed 239 all purpose yards on the day
with 3 receptions for 93 yards, a 51 yard punt return, an 18 yard kick off return, and 4 carries for 12 yards to add to the interception.

The Tigers Offence were unable to break through a tough Nighthawks Defence and an interception gave the ball back to the Nighthawks.

This is how it progressed throughout the whole of the first half with both Defensive units very much on top.

With the score at 0 -0 at the break, the Tigers could be proud of a creditable first half performance.

On the first play of the third quarter, Glasgow kicker Euan Bennet expertly fielded the onside kick which was gladly recovered by Ally Choat.

This gave Glasgow the ball in good field position but their luck was to run out, when a wayward Choat pass was intercepted by Thomas Ackerley who ran back 45 yards to the endzone for the touchdown.

A fine stop by Graeme Clee ended the Merseyside two point attempt and left the score at 6 – 0.

For the rest of the third quarter, the Tigers Defensive Line of West, Begg, Swanson and McMartin managed to pressure and harass the Merseyside Offensive line and stop them gaining any kind of advantage.

The fourth quarter was again dominated by each Defensive unit, and Merseyside must have thought they could add to their advantage when Gareth Kay intercepted another Glasgow pass, but the Nighthawks Offence was thwarted again by the Tigers Defence.

Both teams exchanged the ball again before Glasgow made good use of their timeouts and tackled inbounds forcing Merseyside to punt on fourth down.

Merseyside Punter Chris Bill then punted the ball on to the Glasgow 3 yard line.
With under two minutes to go it looked all over, but a short Choat pass went to Graham Whyte, who broke a tackle and then ran downfield assisted by some good team blocks, however a last man tackle, stopped him at the Nighthawks 20 yard line.

The Tigers then had 4 shots at the endzone with the last one, a pass down the middle going inches wide and the resolute Merseyside Defence standing firm.

Tigers Coach Derek Taylor said “I could not have asked for any more from these players and I’m proud of the way they came out and played today.”

No 22 Glasgow Tigers MVP Graham Whyte

Pic C/o Glasgow Tigers