Tigers go back in time

Glasgow Tigers 16 Edinburgh Wolves 0

Having gone through a roller coaster ride last year hopes were high for the Glasgow Tigers in season 2008.

Following major team rebuilding in 2007, with a number of players stepping up from their youth programme, they had recovered from a dismal start to finish the regular season strongly, even though it was not enough to reach the play offs..

But there was strong optimism within the Tigers ranks that they had ended 2007 with a nucleus of a side that they could build on and mount a serious challenge for the Division Two Northern Conference Title.

And coming through a hassle free preason training ( it didnae rain ) and having added 11 new players to their existing roster, the 2008 Tigers kicked off their new campaign against the Edinburgh Wolves this afternoon, at a venue which was synonymous with the early days of the history of Scottish Gridiron.

Lochinch Stadium was for years, the home ground of the Strathclyde Sheriffs the side that eventually evolved to Glasgow Tigers Senior side that we know today and once played host to one of last SGA finals between East Kilbride Pirates and Dundee Whalers

Since the Tigers normal venue at Cambuslang Rugby club was out of action, then this was chance for former members of the Tigers staff to take a trip down memory lane, the players to play in a much more open field and for the spectators to take advantage of the adjacent bar and its balcony giving a grandstand view and not forgetting the posh decking below.

Combine that with some cracking Scottish scenery and wonderful summer weather, this was the perfect day for a football game!

You had a Tigers squad that was much larger in previous years, against an Edinburgh Wolves side, who like the Tigers had made some changes in their line up and based on the size and numbers, were set to prove a real test for their West Coast rivals.

Last season the Wolves enjoyed the bragging rights over the Tigers, who denied Edinburgh a clean sweep late in the season and were looking to keep the momentum going this afternoon.

Everyone was expecting to this to be a fiercely contested battle, but what was surprising was the lack of invention from the Wolves attack that made very little impression on the Tigers rear guard for most of the game

During the early stages, Wolves were pinned back in their own half for most of the first quarter, with Ian "Sparky" Dick opening the scoring for the Glasgow side.

Despite their efforts, the Wolves soon found themselves further behind conceding a two point safety.

And with Glasgow dominating proceedings in terms of territorial advantage, they had to wait till the final quarter before they were able to put the game to bed when Sparky ran in his second touchdown.

Based on previous encounters this was a game that could have been billed as to close to call.

Glasgow set up their stall early right from the opening kick off with an excellent return from Dick, blasting straight through the middle, taking the ball to half way.

The continued to edge their way forward but the size and power of the Edinburgh defense proved to be tough nut to crack for the home defense and had to punt away possession deep into Wolves territory.

The visitors failed to make any headway on their opening drive and were force to kick the ball clear after going three and out.

The defensive battled continued with Edinburgh still short of ideas on how to break out of their end of the park.

It started to pick up when Tigers Quarterback Ally Choat, connected with Ryan McCluskey who made an excellent catch at the Wolves 25 yard line.

Edinburgh then started to lose their discipline as Dick stepped up the pressure on their goal line.

Minutes later the young running back blasted through from four yards out for the Tigers opening touchdown, with Graeme Clee adding the two point conversion for a 8-0 lead.

The Tigers continued to dominate in terms of territorial advantage with Edinburgh still unable to find a way in getting out of their half of the field.

However in the dying embers of the first period, the east coast side were threatening the Glasgow redzone for the first time when Campbell Lewis punished a defensive lapse from the Tigers sending a well delivered ball to an unmarked to Stuart Niven, taking the Wolves in to the Tigers end of the field for the first time.

Edinburgh 's confidence appeared to be growing as their offense started to put the home side under some real pressure.

But the Tigers were able to recover from that wake up call, making sure that the Wolves could not finish the drive off, resulting in fourth down gamble, which resulted in an incomplete pass and the end of the first quarter.

The Tigers continued to look sharp during the second quarter, but a tough performance from the visiting defense meant that Glasgow continued to have their work cut out in trying to add to their score line.

However the home guard showed that they were more than capable of giving as good as they got, shutting down the Wolves attack, who showed no prospects of being able to put points on the board.

But it was the Tigers who came close to making the breakthrough and increase their lead midway through the second quarter.

Choat did well to avoid his marker and send a long pass to McCluskey who made an excellent catch to keep the ball in bounds at the far corner of the endzone but the Touchdown was chalked off for a holding penalty.

As the final minutes of the half ticked away, Glasgow appeared to be tiring as Edinburgh made a big push in trying to tie the scoring before the break.

But their morale was dealt a decisive blow in the dying seconds when Lewis was picked off by (55) who took the ball back up field.

With only one score in it, there was still plenty to play for as both teams continued to battle hard in the third quarter, with the Tigers still looking the more dangerous in attack.

But it was the home defense that resulted in an increase in the Tigers lead pushing the Wolves back towards their goal line, then a wayward pass from Lewis to a receiver resulted in Jamie McCansh tackling him in the endzone for a 2 point safety.

Then at the start of the fourth quarter, a great 30 yard run from "Sparky" took the ball to the 11 yard line, but was brought back ten yards by the officials.

Minutes later the Tigers rusher was within reach of the Wolves goal line, cutting inside putting the Defensive Backs off balance taking it to the 6 yard line.

And he caught them off guard with the same move on the next play for his second touchdown of the day.

Edinburgh had not given up yet and hit back with Graeme Kellington turning in a blistering KO return to midfield.

With three minutes remaining, Edinburgh was still in possession in what was there best drive of the day.

But their frustrating afternoon was summed up when Lewis was forced to go for a long fourth down gamble but sent the ball into the hands of Alex Paterson.

For Edinburgh, Head Coach, Don Edmonston must have been reasonably satisfied with the performance of his defense despite the defeat.

But the game will have left him with some early season offensive headaches that they will need to sort out if there are to have any serious ambitions in reaching the play off stages.

As for the Tigers this was an impressive display that sets them in good stead for the rest of the season and in new surroundings and on a perfect summer's day.

So don't be surprised if after the game, all the players ask their bosses if they can play there every week