TIMBERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

In the open field surroundings of King George V Playing Fields in Renfrew, not even the horrendous wintry weather conditions could detract both sets of gridiron commandos as they prepared to build on their excellent start to the season.

And it was the Roughriders who made a positive start to game with Quarterback Lewis Cameron organising a strong opening drive, which ran out of steam inside the Timberwolves half and the resulting punt gave them a tough opening series, a few yards from their own goal line.

However the home side were not prepared for how quickly Edinburgh got into their stride when former London O’s Quarterback, James Sherrard fired a precision pass up the middle to Kamal Cortas. for a new set of downs at half way.

Then on the next play, Sherrard decided to hold on to the ball himself, scrambling clear to move the chains once again.

Edinburgh’s drive continued with Allan Price powering down the near side, only to be stopped a few yards short of the goal line.

The opening touchdown was within their reach, but the Timberwolves blew the opportunity when a hand off was fumbled and promptly recovered by Cally.

The home side soon found themselves under pressure, trying to move clear of heir own goal line, but after a few yards, had to punt the ball clear, only to fall on to their own 30 yard line, giving Edinburgh excellent field position.

Minutes later, Price worked his blockers well to run into the far corner of the endzone for the opening touchdown.

After an ineffective response on the next Cally drive, the Timberwolves were threatening again after a failed punt attempt, with them in sight of the home side’s goal line once again.

Then on the next play, Sherrard asked questions of the Roughriders rear guard, who struggled to find the answers as he sprinted home his side’s second touchdown of the day.

It looked as if the Roughriders were on the receiving end of a rout as Price managed to power through a number of bodies, only to fall just short of the goal line once again.

But the home defense tried to step on their work rate, making the Timberwolves fight for everything that they could get.

Despite their efforts, the Roughriders were dealt a sucker punch when Sherrard, under heavy pressure managed to fire a high lob, which fell into the hands of James Pullen to put them three scores infront.

It seemed as if the Roughriders offensive machine was back in gear again when Cameron sprinted from deep in his own half, taking the ball to inside Edinburgh territory.

Unfortunately for the home side, the Timberwolves managed to regroup and proceeded to push the Roughriders back into their own side of the field, forcing them to punt away possession again.

The visitors hit back when Sherrard lateraled the ball to Price who was stopped yet again a few feet short of the endzone.

Then on the next play, the Edinburgh Quarterback finished the move off, breaking through a gap in the defensive wall to make it 24 unanswered points to the visitors.

Despite their first half dominance, there was a more evenly fought affair during the second half where the only winners was the wintry conditions which made life more difficult for players to play in and even more difficult to watch from the sidelines, fans, writers and photographers alike.

But even thought the Timberwolves made some adjustments to their line up, bringing in Ben Edelshain as Quarterback, they could not break down, the Roughriders defense who were now battling to restore some pride.

And the fact at the end of what turned out to be a quicker than normal second half, they can walk away from the game with some pride that whilst the game was lost, they did not cave in, fighting to the very end.

As for the Wolves they move to the top of the Scottish Conference leader board and now return to their home base at Jack Kane Centre in confident mood when they welcome the Newcastle Raiders