SPARKY STEALS THE SHOW
Glasgow Tigers 28 at Lancashire Wolverines 26
Library Pic

This game was the classic see saw encounter, with the lead changing no fewer than six times, where a standout performance by Tigers running back Iain “sparky” Dick gave Glasgow the edge.

The Tigers stalled on their first drive and the Wolverines soon capitalized when their offence had a well executed play that gave running back Sam Fogg the opening and blocking for a 58 yard scamper into the endzone.

The extra point kick went wide left, but Lancashire had a 6-0 lead.

Midway through the first quarter, Tigers quarterback Ally Choat evened the score with a 1 yard sneak.

The Wolverines defence then blocked the kick attempt. Then a timely interception by Tigers safety Graham Whyte and a 22 yard return gave the Glasgow side good field position.

This drive finished with Sparky running in his first touchdown of the day from 12 yards out. He then added the 2 point conversion run for a Glasgow 14 – 6 lead.

The Tigers thought they had increased their lead in the second quarter when a Choat pass of 18 yards was caught in the endzone by receiver Craig Wilson.

The nearest official signaled a touchdown, however after a long discussion by the officials and to the Glasgow sides amazement the ruling was an incomplete pass.

On the very next play the Lancashire defence intercepted the ball and ran it back
seventy yards to give them excellent field position. The end of the second quarter saw the Wolverines turn to quarterback Wayne Glover who led his offence and rumbled in from 3 yards out for a touchdown , and then passed to Iain Pearson for the conversion to tie the game at 14 – 14.

In the third quarter the Wolverines took a 20 -14 lead on a 24 yard pass from Glover to wideout Pearson.

The conversion pass was batted down by Glasgow safety Graham Whyte. The Tigers then replied on the next drive when Sparky scored again , this time from 9 yards out.

His 2 point conversion run now gave Glasgow a narrow 22 – 20 lead.

Back came Lancashire and this time quarterback Glover passed to Greg Adam for a 16 yard touchdown.

However his pass conversion was hurried by the swarming Glasgow defensive line and fell incomplete. The Wolverines were now ahead 26 – 22.

The fourth quarter saw both sides trade possession and a Lancashire punt pinned the Tigers on their own 9 yard line.

With seven minutes left in the game the Tigers began their longest drive of the season (81yards)

It was built around the rushing of Sparky who had 34 carries for 207 yards on the day and he ran in his third touchdown from the one yard line. The Wolverines stopped the conversion and with 23 seconds, had one last chance to overturn Glasgow’s 28 – 26 lead.

The Tigers held firm and this win moves them to 2 - 5 while the Wolverines squad are now 3 – 4.

Glasgow Head Coach, Derek Taylor said after the win “I’m proud of the effort we showed today and the way we came back was tremendous”