Wildcats Retain Crown

The second game of a double header to decide this years Scottish Junior Kitted American Football Champions was held in the Bught Park, Inverness, with the Highland Wildcats taking the first leg in Greenock against the Inverclyde Raiders 28 points to 6.

With the field covered in snow both teams had to contend with this new dimension to the game, the Wildcats staff and coaches worked most of the morning performing a minor miracle in clearing the snow from the field markings in order to allow the game to go ahead.

The Raiders arrived ready for a hard game against the defending Scottish Champions and gave the Wildcats an early bonus when their offence fumbled the ball and with some quick reactions from Wildcats linebacker Graham Scott recovered the ball. The Wildcats offence wasted no time and on their third play Martin Maclennan burst past the end of the line and ran in from 20 yards to open the scoring, the Raiders stopped the 2 point conversion.

The first quarter finished with the Wildcats defence pushing the Raiders back into their own half. The first play in the second quarter brought more misery for the Raiders as Wildcats linebacker James Pyke picked off a pass from the Raiders quarterback and returned it for 35 yards, however a much improved Raiders defence held firm.

The second half saw some great goal-line defence from the Wildcats however the Raiders eventually breached the defences on a delayed quarterback sneak, and the Raiders added the conversion on a dive play to give them the lead.

A great pass from Wildcats quarterback Paul Kirkland to wide receiver Scott Hackett for 30 yards kept Wildcats hopes alive but with little time left in the game the Raiders quarterback took a knee and ran the clock out. Final score Wildcats 6 Raiders 8.

As the junior season draws to a close, it is hoped, next year to see more teams step up from 6 a-side and join in the Scottish Junior 9 a-side Championship.