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Gateshead Senators 3-50 East Kilbride Pirates
With the Senators and Pirates having locked horns no less than fifteen times over the past twelve years, the home team knew they were in for a battle when the Tyneside outfit came to town. Thankfully, they got just the start they were looking for when, on the visitor’s first possession, the Senators quarterback threw a pass straight into the waiting arms of defensive back Ross Templeton, who took the ball almost forty yards for the opening score. Gateshead drove down the field in retaliation, however the Pirates defense snuffed the momentum out and they were forced to settle for a field goal, which ultimately proved to be their only score of the day. The Pirates got the ball back and it didn’t take long until quarterback Ryan Hunter tucked the ball away and took it nineteen yards into the endzone, before converting for a further two points in a similar fashion, to end a very quick first quarter with the Pirates leading 14-3.
The home side continued to put their offense to work in the second quarter, extending their lead when Iain Dick, who was the Pirates top rusher with 84 yards on 9 carries, sprinted in from 35 yards out. The two point conversion was again unsuccessful, however it wasn’t long before the lead was extended further. Dick’s partner in the backfield, Blake Kyle, was next on the score sheet as he powered home from 15 yards. This time the conversion was a success, with Hunter hitting Receiver Jamie McLaughlin to make it 28-3.
Yet more strong defense from the Pirates generated great field position for the home team and it wasn’t long before the electronic scoreboard was back in action again. Hunter handed the ball off to Dick who again found the endzone, this time from seven yards out. Sticking with a formula which was paying dividends, Dick was again handed the ball on the two point conversion, which he gladly accepted, giving him fourteen points for the day and extending the Pirates lead to 36-3.
As the first half drew to a close with the visitors looking no closer to finding the endzone, the Pirates managed to add one further score, again through the feet of quarterback Hunter. He added his own conversion to close off the half at 44-3.
The second half was a much different affair, with the Senators opting for a different approach on offense. Their running game ate up vast swathes of time for relatively little reward, but despite being considerably depleted by injuries, the Pirates defense stood tall against the Senators, giving the travellers very little room to manoeuvre. This time sapping gameplan meant that the Pirates only managed to get their hands on the ball four times in the second half; however that was enough for them to add one more score. Hunter again took matters into his own hands as he tucked the ball away and utilised his pace to find the endzone from 34 yards out; his longest carry of the day.
The result, the Pirates biggest margin of victory over the Senators since 2002, means that the Pirates now top the standings for the whole of BAFL 1. A high placing will become absolutely crucial should the Pirates keep up their good form and qualify for the playoffs in September, as it might mean the difference between a home game and a lengthy trip to the South of England.
The Pirates are once again at home, this time to the Yorkshire Rams, on 21 June. To find out more about the team or to get involved, please visit www.piratesfootball.co.uk or email info@piratesfootball.co.uk.