BYAFL Youth League

Glasgow Tigers 6 Gateshead Senators 6

The 2008 Glasgow Tigers kicked of their new BYAFA campaign by ending the Gateshead Senators early winning streak.

But unfortunately it was not enough for them to get their first three points on the board, after a (42 - name to be confirmed) touchdown in the final minute cancelled out a Scott Watson score in the first quarter for a six each score line.

This was set to be a different affair to the senior opening fixture the week before at Lochinch.

And whilst we enjoyed the cracking scenery and the great weather, the majority of the central belt continued to enjoy the sunshine at the weekend – except here of course, as we had the usual mix of over cast skies and intermittent rain that only Cambuslang has to offer.

Yes - we were back at Cambuslang Rugby club, where the Tigers youth side were facing a Gateshead Senators squad with two successive opening wins under their belt.

Having enjoyed success at national level in recent years, hopes were high amongst the Tigers ranks of another productive season, with a number of junior prospects stepping up to the new level.

They had a quarterback who had a good arm, not afraid to turn on the speed when required or to take a hit, fast men on the ground and a solid group of lineman, including one player, Martin McNair, who just turned 17 and reportedly standing over 6ft with a physique that would not look out of place in any senior squad.

I must have a plate of what that young man has for his breakfast in the morning.

And to add to that - a chance to break in the new snazzy orange strips.

As the home side waited on the sidelines, waiting for the game to start, you got the impression that was this was going to be an interesting clash as the English ran to their side of the field in “Full Metal Jacket” fashion.

And watching them in their pre game warm up, you could see that this was a well drilled and organised Gateshead side that was going to make it a tough afternoon for the Glasgow outfit.

But it was the home side that made an immediate impression on the opening kick off following a great kick off return from Nick Halfpenny whose blistering pace almost caught the visitors off guard and was stopped of a clear run to the endzone with a last gasp tackle just inside the Gateshead half.

Quarterback Alan Steen took advantage of some excellent blocking to take the Tigers to the Gateshead 14 yard line.

But with the goal line very much in their sites, the momentum swung back in the Geordies favour when a pass to David Fallon, who under heavy pressure, coughed up possession with the Senators diving on the loose ball for an early morale boosting turnover.

However their joy was short lived, when a crunching tackle on Gateshead quarterback ( ) force a fumble which was recovered by Alex Cunningham, handing the Tigers excellent field position.

Then on the first play of the next drive, Scott Watson used his strength and power to hold the Defensive Backs at bay to run in a well worked opening score for the Tigers.

Gateshead responded on their next drive with an unorthodox tight formation on offense, trying to push up field creating holes for their backfield runners.

But their “Tyneside Tunnel” formation made little headway as the drive eventually stalled, with the Tigers taking over possession early in the second period at their own 14 yard line.

A great 35 yard run from Watson, gave the Tigers some breathing space taking the ball to midfield.

Then Steen turned on the pace as he exposed a hole in the Gateshead rear guard, sprinting to the English 21 yard line.

But the Scots could not finish the move off as the visiting defense regrouped, forcing a turnover on downs with minutes of the half remaining.

One of the unique qualities of this youth league is how the rules of the game in their league can differ to that of senior level.

And their was evidence of how some rules changes had not dawned on some teams and proof that this writer has not been covering as many youth games as he should have been in recent years came on the opening kick off in the third quarter with the Tigers still holding on to their one score lead.

It seems that when a ball is kicked, it suddenly becomes live when it exceeds ten yards.  This was a rule that had caught the Tigers out in the past and were determined for it not to happen again.

However the message did not appear to get through to Gateshead as they looked dumb struck as screams of delight came from the Tigers side line as the home side downed their own kick off at the Gateshead 22 yard line.

The Tigers tried to force home their advantage but instead forced a fumble which was recovered by the visitors deep in their half.

Going into the final period, there still remained no change in the scoring but the pressure from the Gateshead offensive maul continued to exert pressure on the tiring Tigers defensive line.

And when Gateshead finally decided to open up their formation, the home side were hanging on desperately trying to hang on to their slender lead as they were pushed back deep into their own half.

But the English side finally made the break through with less than a minute remaining as (42) found a way through the defensive wall to tie the scoring.

However the English missed out on chance to wrap up the points, when on the conversion attempt decided to dismiss going for the kick and opted to go for the endzone again.

But a last gasp stand from the Tigers meant that their drive fall short.

Glasgow Tigers 6 Gateshead Senators 6