East Kilbride Pirates 0-20 Bristol Aztecs
After an impressive start to the season, with two emphatic wins over rivals the Southern Sundevils, a tie with the London Blitz, and a narrow 6-0 loss against the National Champion London Olympians, the Aztecs welcomed the East Kilbride Pirates to Bristol.
The two teams had never faced each other before, but both teams knew that the game was of vital importance if either of them had playoff ambitions. Weather conditions in Bristol were severe once again, with torrential rain hampering both offenses early.
The Pirates made little headway in the first half, with the Aztecs only moving the ball marginally better, hampered by not only the poor conditions, but also the Pirates swarming defense, eager to keep the Aztecs at bay. Despite good field position throughout the first half, the Aztecs were not able to capitalise, and the score was tied 0-0 at half time.
In the second half the Aztecs offense found its
feet, with good runs from Matt Barrett setting up a touchdown pass from quarterback Neil Balthazaar to Nick Smith. The extra point failed to leave the Pirates trailing 6-0. Despite their best efforts to ignite the offense, the Pirates continued to struggle, and first year Aztec youth graduate linebacker Tom Johnson intercepted the ball and returned it for a touchdown, only for the legal play to be called back due to an inadvertent whistle. The Aztecs took the ball from where it had been intercepted, and GB Lions running back Gabriel Sey took the ball in from five yards out, the two point conversion being run in by fellow GB Lion Nick Proctor (sponsored by Tempex).
To their credit, the Pirates kept battling, on both sides of the ball to the whistle, despite a twenty four yard interception return for a touchdown from Tom Proctor sealing the visitors fate, with a final score of 20-0 in favour of the Aztecs.
Head Coach Mark Hopkins was pleased with the performance, “It was a tough win today, the conditions were awful, and the Pirates came to play. We sorted our act out in the second half though, and we are delighted to have three wins and a tie under our belt at the midway point of the season for us”.
On offense there were no notable performances from the Aztecs, who used their stable of running backs to wear down the Pirates gradually throughout the game. The Aztec defense was once again superb holding the Pirates to seventeen yards of total offense on the day. In the first five games of the season, the much improved unit has only conceded 18 points, and looks to be further improved as early season injuries heal up.
The Aztecs receive a welcome break now, followed by a run of away games throughout June and July at the Gateshead Senators, London Blitz, London Olympians, and Birmingham Bulls. For further information on the Aztecs, please visit www.aztecs.co.uk, or email bristolaztecs@hotmail.com.