Battering Rams
West Coast Trojans 6 Yorkshire Rams 28
Pics Frank McGroarty

Yorkshire Rams pummelled a scratch West Coast Trojans side into submission in a game that only lasted two quarters.

In what was the first outing for new quarterback, Sam McKee, the Trojans came into the match a seriously weekend team without four linemen.

And even though he got of to the best possible start with a 47 yard touchdown pass to Dave Pasnick, the bulk and strength of the English side proved too much for the Scots who cancelled out the score with a touchdown from Justin Lester.

Then in the second quarter, the Scots game plan caved in as they started to lose players through injury and started to fall further behind when a second touchdown from Lester and a third from David Saul gave the Trojans a mountain to climb in the second half.

But having lost two players through injury and one being ejected, the third period never got of the ground with the Trojans calling time on the game for health and safety reasons.

Having a shortage of linemen is not a new occurrence for Scottish clubs with the Edinburgh Wolves forced to pull out of a full campaign.

And with this result putting a set back in the Trojans regular season campaign, they expected to have some key offensive players, but have to ensure that they have a full compliment of linemen if they are to have a chance of completing the remaining fixtures.

However let's stay on the positive here!

If the Trojans were not able to complete there regular season games then who is to say if it would jeopardise their Division 1 status.

And after what was a wake up call for the team this afternoon, I don't expect that the Trojans will for one minute want to find themselves in the situation they found themselves in the this afternoon.

They will certainly make the most of their two weeks rest before they return to action again and hopefully with their on going search for a new quarterback, will invest the same amount of energy in boosting their trench warrior contingent.

For in the long run, it could make difference between the Scots side making the decisive step up into premier division football.

And even though they did not dominate the game in the way then one positive element to take from the game, was the performance of new quarterback, American Sam McKee.

Based in London , the 25 year old triggerman only arrived the night before, and with the lack of protection endured a torrid time from the advancing Yorkshire defense, often having to scramble for his own safety.

And even though there were some signs of inexperience, he did provide evidence of a powerful throwing arm, midway in the first quarter.

Under heavy pressure, he delivered a 47 yard completion to Dave Pasnick in the far corner of the endzone.

But their joy was short lived as the Scots soon found themselves on the back foot when quarterback Andy Green went long to Mike Whitson, but was denied a clear run to the endzone following a last gasp challenge by Pasnick.

Green fired a long pass to Whitson again, putting the English side in excellent field position.

Minutes later, Justin Lester powered his way through, meeting little resistance to tie the scoring, with Pete Hillam nailing the extra point conversion kick to put them one in front.

The Rams regained pole position on the resulting kick off when an onside kick was recovered by the Rams at half way.

Yorkshire 's confidence continued to rise, when Green picked off receiver, David Saul, who caught the ball at the Trojans 20 yard line.

Green then fired a telling pass up the middle to Peter Rogers, then minutes later, Lester ran in his second touchdown of the day, leaving Rick Lynch to deliver another conversion kick for a two score lead.

The Trojans troubles continued on the kick off when Pasnick fumbled the return, which was recovered by Yorkshire putting them in excellent field position.

And the English outfit punished the Trojans for the turnover when Saul came across at and angle to pull in another touchdown catch, leaving Hillam to add another extra point.

Even through the Trojans found themselves with a mountain to climb, they tried to get back into the game when Stephen O'Neil made some big yardage to the Rams 22, but the drive once again stalled and they had to punt away possession.

Things looked encouraging for the Scots when the Trojans recovered a fumble, but the shell shocked offensive, unit, who at this point had lost two of their lineman they could not mount an effective attack.

However they were determined to not to go down without a fight and dug deep into their reserves in hoping to contain the Rams attack.

But the English passing game was on the mark again when Saul caught an easy touchdown, which was converted by Hillman

Inside the final minutes of the half, frustration was definitely kicking for the Trojans as with 3 of their lineman injured and with players playing both ways; the nail was finally driven in the coffin when they had a man ejected for a personal foul.

During the break, decisions had to be made, do they strive on in the hope of recovering some pride, risking the health of the remaining players into the bargain, or accept that this was a game beyond reach and live to fight another day.

In the end, the Scots decided to call time out on this game, with the Rams deservedly taking the points.

The Scots now have two weeks to rebuild their side in what will be a crucial road trip to Stoke for a return match against Staffordshire Surge.