Chester Romans 0-48 Clyde Valley Blackhawks
After suffering a resounding defeat to
Manchester Titans last week Clyde Valley Blackhawks were looking to return to
winning ways. Chester Romans, with depleted numbers, had travelled
north to face a strong Clyde Valley team.
On Blackhawks opening drive Chester’s defense
held firm and forced the punt but Clyde Valley returned the favour and it
looked as if it was going to be a day of defensive domination. However
Blackhawks’ offense had other ideas, starting on their own 23 yard line behind
some thunderous running they marched solidly up field, capping it off with a 12
yard tackle breaking run from Graeme MacMillan for the first score. The
extra point sailed wide left. Chester found there was no way through the
Blackhawks defense and Greg McIntyre scooped up a fumble which lead to Clyde
Valley’s next score. Phil McCabe barrelled in from 3 yards out; once more the
extra point went wide.
Chester kept chipping away at Blackhawks
and Mark Thompson jinked his way up field but some crunching tackles from
Graeme ‘Special’ McMillan forced them to punt the ball. Graeme ‘G Mac’
MacMillan gathered in the punt and scorched 70 yards to add another six to Clyde
Valleys tally. This time Tam Chapman securely booted the ball between the
uprights. The Romans were unfortunate on their next drive after quarterback
Jason Wilcock connected first with Glyn Chadwick then with Frank Ashworth only
for it to be called back for a penalty. Blackhawks’ Craig MacMillan forced a
fumble which was recovered by Andrew Taylor. Clyde Valley capitalised on Chester’s'
error when quarterback David Orr laid a delicate pass in the hands of Tam
Chapman for a 25 yard catch and run for an additional touchdown. Chapman then
showed his versatility when he booted the extra point over.
The second half stared the way the first
ended when Blackhawks’ David Orr connected with his brother Gary on a 40 yard scoring
pass. The special team of the Romans forced the extra point to be missed. A
change of personnel at quarterback did not improve Chester’s prospects and
despite some tough running from Mark Thompson they could not find a way through
the wall of the Blackhawks defense, but they held Clyde Valley to a field goal
attempt which was unsuccessful. The scourge of the flag gave Blackhawks 2 more
points when the Romans’ quarterback was called for intentional grounding in the
endzone. Blackhawks Dan Fielden added further misery when he intercepted a
wayward pass but Chester were not done yet an interception from Tom Staples
gave them hope of a score but a flurry of flags dashed those hopes. 'G Mac'
added his second of the day when he bounced outside and scampered 12 yards for
another touchdown.
Craig MacMillan piled
on the pressure when he recovered a fumble and Darran Sharp burst left then
right for his first Clyde Valley touchdown. Tam Chapman rounded off the day’s
scoring with the kicked extra point.
Coach Czekalla would like to thanks
sponsors James Chapmans quality butchers, OverflowUK.com, A MacMillan and sons
Butchers, Dalziel Hospice, Red Line Cabs and the volunteers of the chain crew
who did a fantastic job.