Within the confides of the spiritual home of Scottish Athletics, Meadowbank Stadium, the Wolves were the first Scottish senior gridiron team to host a competitive league match in stadium surroundings since the Scottish Claymores final season in 2004.

They were facing a Tigers who had undergone a major rebuilding process in the off season with a number of their successful youth side stepping up and they were determined to avenge a convincing exhibition defeat at the same venue last year.

You could feel the tension in the air; frantic running about the place- and that was before kick off.

The crowd waiting for the game to kick off might not have been as much as the recent Scotland v England youth international, (official sources might not agree with me) but it provided clear evidence that there was a clear fan base for the Edinburgh Wolves to build on.

This was the first league outing for the Wolves since having to pull out from least season’s schedules due to an unexpected drop in personnel.

And to try and give it the sense of occasion that the event deserved, the MC announced the teams, who ran out on to the field to a warm reception from the fans.

But instead of getting into the action, the re launch appeared to suffer a major set back with the players on the sidelines, kicking their heels, wondering if the ambulance would make an appearance.

For those involved in the game, you know that a no show from the ambulance would mean, no game, a win by default for the Tigers and Wolves going out of pocket as they would have to refund the punters their money.

But thankfully after 40 minutes, a sigh of relief could be felt across the stadium, as the eagerly awaited paramedics made an appearance – at last the BAFL season in Scotland would finally get underway.

For those coming to watch the game for the first time would have no doubt come away with a favourable impression of Scottish Senior Gridiron as the Wolves stuck to their original script running a battling Tigers side into submission, with a 35-26 victory.

And with the atmosphere created by the fans, it should send out a clear message to potential investors and sports pundits that American Football may be a minority sport, but the days of it being played in public parks throghout Scotland are numbered.

Now coached by one of the game’s top lineman, Don Edmonston, the Wolves strengths this year, not surprisingly appeared to centre around their brand of trench warriors, who contained the Tigers on their opening drive.