KNIGHTS EDGE OUT TIGERS
Glasgow Tigers 0
Edinburgh Napier Knights 7
British University American Football League
Borders Conference
Dateline Feb 19th
2012
When it comes to gridiron clashes, there is usually
nothing to beat derby match ups, the chance to put one over your local
rivals, or even better, cross border confrontations where national pride
is a strong factor.
Bragging rights is a strong thing, especially in American Football
But keeping things this side of the border, East v
West Clashes are always something special, especially between Glasgow
and Edinburgh.
And today saw the latest East v West match up in the
British University League, with Edinburgh Napier Knights travelling along the
M8 with a valuable road win over the Glasgow Tigers.
Like any Edinburgh v Glasgow match up, there was no
let-up in the intensity, with both sides battling for everything they
could get.
Unfortunately with both
defenses having strong days, there was very little to show for their
efforts in terms of the score line, with a first quarter Edinburgh
touchdown in the, the only real difference between the teams.
Things looked promising for the Tigers during the
opening minutes of the game with a strong opening drive which came to an
abrupt halt when Edinburgh forced a fumble which they recovered, but
could not take advantage of the turnover and had to punt away
possession.
However Glasgow made very little progress on their
next drive and soon found themselves in trouble when Ewan Rennie fired a
pin point accurate pass to Neil Lees at the far corner of the endzone,
for the opening six points.
This was quickly followed by Jamie Charles splitting
the uprights for a successful conversion kick, handing the visitors a
7-0 lead.
Both defenses stepped up the intensity cancelling
out the opposition’s drive, which result in very limited entertainment
for the spectators, but both teams continued to battle hard for every
yard they could get.
As you would expect in an East v West clash.
The Knights looked as if they were going to increase
their lead inside the final minute of the second quarter, but the
Knights collapsed under heavy defensive pressure from the Tigers,
forcing Rennie to fire a wayward pass into the hands of Glasgow
Cornerback Kenny McCulloch.
Glasgow had a great chance to tie the scoring early
in the third quarter when Edinburgh gave up
what was a strange turnover when
deep in their own half appeared to pitch the ball to the side,
right into the hands of McCulloch, who sprinted to towards the goal
line, but came up a a few yards short.
Glasgow however had excellent field position, but
blew a golden opportunity when minutes later they turned over possession
themselves.
Going into the final quarter, there was still plenty
to play for, but with both teams tightening things up at the back, there
was no sign that any team was going to score.
And when Edinburgh forced a final turnover inside the
final seconds, it turned out to be enough to hold on what was a slender
victory
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