A WAKE UP CALL!!!!!!

Glasgow Tigers 8 Stirling Clansmen 16

Newly crowned BUAFL Scottish Conference Champions, Stirling Clansmen received a timely wake up call ahead of the upcoming play offs but still managed to do enough to hold on to their 100% record with a hard fought come from behind victory over the Glasgow Tigers.

Having rolled over the opposition during the first half of the season, the Tigers were the closest to turning over the Clansmen going down 2 scores to one at the end of 2007.

And with their hopes of reaching the knock out stages dashed last week, this was a chance to end their season on a high and burst the Clansmen's bubble, who so far had totally dominate the regular season so far.

Even though they wrapped up the Scottish title last week, Stirling needed to keep the momentum going with home advantage in the play offs very much in their site.

The Tigers had nothing to lose and started the game as if their lives depended on it, forcing a Clansmen fumble on their opening drive.

And they soon had the visitors on the back foot when two power runs from Ronnie "Pebbles" Gaffin, took the "Men in Black" to the Clansmen 12 yard line.

A fake snap from 63 (name to be confirmed) saw the linesmen power through the Stirling line to the one yard line, but the move was called back by the officials, much to the annoyance of the Tigers sideline, who claimed that they had cleared the validity of the move prior to the game.

That break enabled the Clansmen to regroup on defense resulting in the Tigers turning over possession following an unsuccessful fourth down attempt.

And even though Stirling were facing a long drive up field, the Tigers rear guard were determined not to surrender their territorial advantage, forcing the visitors to punt away possession.

However not even the Scottish Conference Champions were prepared for what followed in the final play of the first quarter.

Tigers returner Grant McAuslan, was quickly surrounded by a mass of green, but turned on the speed, cutting across to find some space down the far side, taking the ball all the way to the endzone for 6 points

Glasgow 's confidence continued to grow during the early stages of the second period and were doing something that not many teams had been able to do this season, shutting down the Clansmen offense and giving normally influential player, Quarterback Brandon Ulmer, little room for manoeuvre.

And things continued to get better for the Tigers when the Clansmen, once again under heavy pressure, eventually tried to punt the ball away deep in their endzone and a botched snap attempt saw the ball roll into the endzone for a two point safety.

With less than two minute of the half remaining, Ulmer started to get his arm going, delivering a clear cut pass to 86 (name to be confirmed), and giving the Clansmen excellent field position.

But another tough stand off from the home guard resulted in no change in the scoring going into the break.

The signs were there that Stirling were starting to come into the game and what ever was said by the coaches at half time certainly appeared to work , resulting in a more positive start to the second half from the Gridiron Bravehearts.

Glasgow 's confidence appeared to be creeping away from them when Tigers Quarterback Grayson Lee was intercepted.

Minutes later, a sweep by Erick Schlimmer took the ball short of the goal line.

But another terrific stand off from the home defense resulted in a turnover on downs at the Tigers 2 yard line.

It looked as if this game was there for the taking and the Clansmen's bubble was finally about to burst.

Unfortunately, after an ineffective drive, a blown punt attempt by the Tigers, handed Stirling excellent field position.

And they took full advantage minutes later, when "Mr Motivator", Brandon Ulmer rolled off the pile of bodies to dive over the goal line for six points which was followed a by sweeping move to Erick Schlimmer for a two point conversion.

With no change in the scoring at the start of the final period, the Tigers were suffering from a crisis of confidence in attack but were still in the game, thanks to their gusty defensive unit, who continued to battle hard, hoping to take the game into another dramatic overtime finale.

But the Scottish Champions soon knocked the wind out of the home side, with less than seven minutes remaining when Ulmer fired a precision pass to James Stevenson in the far corner of the endzone.

And the Canadian Quarterback rounded it off what turned out to be another successful day at the office when he added another two point conversion.

After a terrific start, the Tigers can take heart from a terrific first half display. And if they can retain the majority of their squad, then it will stand them in good stead for the nest season.

As for the Clansmen, the bandwagon rolls on, and on their day will be a match for any side in the knock out stages.

But the Tigers have shown at the weekend that with some tough challanges ahead, if Stirling are to have any chance of adding a second British title to their roll of honour, then they are going to have to up their game.