TIGERS TRIUMPH AGAIN

Glasgow Tigers 41 Paisley Pyros 6
PICS C/O DON HALFPENNY

Glasgow Tigers ended the first half of the 2009/10 British College League season in style with a commanding 41-6 victory over the reigning Scottish Conference Champions, Paisley Pyros.

After a perfect start to the season, this was to be the first indication of either side's chances of regaining the Scottish title.

And having not lost a game so far, the Tigers came into this game as firm favourites, even more so when the match was switched from the Pyros home ground to the Tigers field at Garscube Sport Centre.

Even though the Pyros dominated the division last year in terms of wins on the board, match up against the Tigers had always been hard fought battles almost like a derby game– and it was hoped that this game would be no different.

With so much at stake, both sides gave very little away in what was a very intensely competitive first quarter.

Sometimes that intensity did sometimes go into overdrive on the field and on the sidelines.

But that was put to bed by the referee, who brought both coaches on to the field and told them in no uncertain terms that he was in charge and the aggro stopped right now. (Or words to that effect)

(I would love to see them try that in an Old Firm game)

As a result, any needle soon disappeared and we soon got back to the business of a hotly contested match, where both defenses certainly put in strong opening performances.

It looked as if this was going to be a low scoring game - that is if any points were going to be put on the board at all.

Then in the second quarter, things changed dramatically when Tigers star rookie running back, Lewis King broke through the Pyros' Rear Guard, sprinting almost half the length of the field for a terrific opening touchdown, which he followed up with a two point conversion run for an 8-0 lead.

The Tigers were soon threatening the Pyros goal line again and stretched their lead when quarterback Gregor Beattie caught the visitors off balance with a diagonal pass straight into the hands of Chris Sutcliffe.

Paisley tried to hit back but were struggling under the intense pressure from the Tigers defense who put in some ferocious challenges.

And their efforts were soon rewarded when the Tigers forced a fumble which was recovered by Martin Aitken deep in Pyros territory.

Minutes later the Tigers extended their lead when Lewis Begby powered through from a few yards out for another touchdown.

The game was starting to run away from the Pyros early in the third period, when King, continued his great early season form running in another well executed score.

But the Pyros throughout their short history were always a team that would fight to the end regardless the score.

And it was in evidence again when despite the convincing score line, the visitors had the Tigers under real pressure for the first time when a 50 yard run from Scott Little handed the Pyros excellent field position.

Minutes later their efforts were rewarded when Stephen Hammond broke through and into the endzone and a deserved touchdown.

But the Tigers regrouped and regained control in the final quarter when Beattie fired a deep pass to Euan Beasley who made the decisive catch for a touchdown and then split the uprights with the first one point conversion of the day.

Then the Tigers drove the final nail in the Pyros coffin when the Tigers picked off David Mann for an easy catch in the endzone and a 41-6 final score.