TIGERS TORMENT CONTINUES
Glasgow Tigers 6 Dundee Hurricanes 34

A second half surge from Dundee Hurricanes consolidated their position at the top of the BAFL Scottish Division Two, handing them a comfortable road victory over the Glasgow Tigers.

Despite a major shake up in their personnel in the close season, featuring a number of recruits from their successful youth side, BAFL Senior League Division Two season 2007, has been one to forget for the new look Tigers senior side.

Despite having some memorable moments in their play this season, the lack of consistency has meant that the Tigers came into today’s game having lost their four opening games.

And now they faced an uphill task against a resurgent Dundee side, tipped by many for promotion this season and came into this game on the back of a 100% record.

However in weather conditions that would only encourage the dedicated few - Yes it was raining again, there was very little to separate the sides during a hard fought opening first quarter.

And things looked promising for the home side when Quarterback Bruce Thomson fired a long pass that fell into the hands of Graham Whyte, who returned the ball back up field, putting the Tigers in excellent field position.

But as in previous fixtures, the Tigers could not capitalise on excellent field position failing to punch the ball home past a resolute Dundee rearguard.

The Tigers were then dealt a blow midway through the first, when they lost the services of Kris Kennedy due to an ankle injury, leaving Ally Choat to take over the offensive controls.

Despite the set back the Tigers continued to push forward with powerful run down the far side from Graham Clee.

The drive continued as Nick Irwin took the Tigers three yards from the goal line. However with the endzone in their sites Glasgow turned over possession, giving the Hurricanes a new drive, deep in their own half of the field.

Both sides continued to battle to open their account first, but it was a breakdown on the Tigers Special Teams that saw Dundee get off the mark first, when Mahamadou Niakate returned a Glasgow punt all the way into the endzone for the opening six points.

The Hurricanes then could not have asked for a better start to the second half, when Darren Henderson, returned the opening kick off at full speed, tearing down the near side to give the Hurricanes 12 unanswered points.

The Tigers tried to step up the pressure on the Hurricanes next drive, forcing the visitors to turnover possession at their own 34 yard line.

However the momentum swung back in the Taysiders’ favour when a challenge on Graeme Clee forced a Tigers fumble which was recovered by the visitors.

As the final minutes of the third period continued to tick away, the Hurricanes continued to edge closer toward the Tigers goal line.

And despite being hampered by penalties, the visitors were able to finish the drive off when Niakate ran in another six points for the Hurricanes.

Dundee were on the march again when Bruce Thomson fired a great pass to Brother Fraser, for a new set of downs at the 20 yard line.

Then minutes later, Niakate burst through the middle again for another Dundee touchdown, which was followed by Fraser Thomson pulling off a great diving catch for a successful two point conversion.

The game was going beyond the Tigers reach as they soon found themselves on the back foot again following another impressive Dundee drive, which ended with Thomson dumping the ball off to Henderson, who made an excellent one handed grab in the endzone.

And when Mathew Villa ran in another successful two point conversion for the visitors, it looked as if the walls had caved on the Tigers.

But the Glasgow side were to have the final say and hope that they will soon be able to turn their season around, when the Men in Black showed a never say die attitude and nicked a deserved consolation score six seconds from time courtesy of a great diving catch from Ian “Sparky” Dick