TROJANS QUEST FOR BRITBOWL GLORY CONTINUES

West Coast Trojans 48 Milton Keynes Pathfinders 14

For years, whenever you think of Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, you automatically think of it as a top class athletics facility.  

But during the past two months it has been getting a reputation as a gridiron fortress as the West Coast Trojans clocked up their 11 successive win of the season at the weekend, moving them one step closer to Britbowl XXV.

The Trojans have enjoyed successful campaigns throughout their short history, but the 2011 campaign, regardless of how it ends, will go down as their most memorable having seen the franchise grow to a new level performing in one of the best sporting venues in the country.

As a Scottish club, they are not alone in wanting to bring their fans the complete game time experience – but to get there does take time.  For the complete package it is  not just what goes on the field, but off as well, in terms of hospitality, food, pre- game and half time entertainment  all necessary in getting the right atmosphere – MC excluded ( I am still learning).

During the regular season there had been a very good atmosphere, but this was the play offs, where failure was not option.   During the regular campaign, lose and you had the chance to bounce back, defeat here and the season was over.

To add a bit more pre game flavour, the Trojans Management recruited top Cheerleaders, the FiercePro Dance Troup from Edinburgh, to warm the crowd up on what was not exactly summer weather conditions.

After the cheerleaders kicked of the proceedings with a slick pre game performance (sorry for pushing the wrong button at the start) it was time for the gridiron gladiators to enter the arena.  

The visitors, as was their right declined to have an introduction of their starting eleven over the tannoy (they must have heard me before), but as the Trojans took to the field, you felt that even though I was doing the commentary sitting on top of a table in the control boot at the back of the stadium there were signs that there was a special atmosphere building and the crowd were up for it as much as the players.

And the players more than responded during the opening period as the Trojans stamped their authority on the game from the word go.

During the opening minutes, the home side opened their account when Jordan Falconer ran in the opening touchdown.   The Trojans then increased their lead when Gary McNey connected with a wide open Tommy George for another six points; with Ruaraidh MacDonald splitting the uprights for a successful conversion, giving the Trojans a 12-0 lead.

There was still more scoring in the first quarter when Falconer ran in his second score of the day, which was successfully converted again by MacDonald.

It was full steam ahead for the “Falconer Express” when the Trojans rusher outpaced the Pathfinders rear guard, chalking up some big yardage for his touchdown hatrick.  

And this was soon followed by McGeorge adding to his touchdown tally, making it 32 unanswered points in favour of the Trojans.

It was a tough physical battle during the third quarter as the Pathfinders battled hard to try and regain some pride in what was turning out to be a lost cause.

But it was not till the final quarter, the visitors did what not many teams have done this season, breaking through the Trojans defense with a pass to Jeremy Leonard getting the Pathfinders their first points on the board.

However the Trojans D did get some revenge when Lineman, John Heresford, stripped the ball and ran with little resistance all the way to the endzone.

The home side increased their lead courtesy of a text book kick-off return from MacDonald.   But the shine was taken off the touchdown when the officials penalised the receiver for taunting (posh word for taking the “£**)

Mickael Olivia brought in a two point conversion to make it 48-7.  But instead of giving up, the visitors continue to battle hard to bring some respectability to the score line and got their just rewards when Chris Parr brought in another touchdown, which was converted.

But with less than two minutes of the game remaining – it was too little, too late. 

Now this Sunday, the Trojans bandwagon rolls on this Sunday September 4^th when the Trojans play host to the Shropshire Revolution in the British League Division 2 Semi Final – kick off 2.30.

Slide Show: West Coast Trojans v MK Pathfinders