World
Bowl XI
- The Warm up!!!
 After
all the criticism of the build up, the World
Bowl weekend started here. This was where we would see
for definite whether World Bowl XI was
a success or not.
OK
the Claymores were not there, but they had a lot riding on this
as they were the main players in making this all possible.
The
Sun Gods were on our side, big time. In other words, we were
cooking in our own juices.
And
even though the game itself kicked off at 5pm, there festivities
started much earlier.
It
was 9 O Clock in the morning that eight of Europe's top Flag Football
sides converged on Hollyrood Sports Centre, just a stones throw
away from Cathkin Park, the legendary home of the now defunct soccer
side, Third Lanark.
The
reason was for the annual European Five on Five Flag Football Contest,
where the winner will be battling it out for the World Title in
Japan.
Flying the UK Flag was the Carluke Predators, who 24 hours earlier
at the same venue, came through a thrilling battle against English
side, Eastbourne Cardinals from Darlington
to claim the National title.
The
Predators came through a tough qualifying contest against a number
of top Scottish sides, where if the stories I had were true then
it was not just certain teams that made an impact, it seemed that
the trophy did as well, hitting the ground into little pieces.
Things
did not look good for Carluke as the English powered ahead 33-21
midway through the second half.
But
the Scots showed their fighting qualities and took the lead for
the first time thanks to a short touchdown catch from Alan Harrison
and a deep pass from Ross Ivinson into the endzone to William Winter
put the home side two points infront for the first time.
The
English were soon back on the march but the momentum swung back
in the home sides favour when Winter pulled in a crucial interception
with less than a minute remaining.
And
on the next play, Ivonson, broke a couple of tackles to take the
ball into the corner of the endzone for another six points.
The
Scots appeared to be home and dry but a deep touchdown pass from
the English set up a nervous final seconds for the Predators, who
had to dig in deep to stop an two point conversion attempt to avoid
the match going into overtime.
But
the home side came through and won according to Scott Couper, one
of the best Flag Football games he has seen.
Now
they had the rest of Europe
to take care of, but that was a much different challenge all together.
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