Highland Wildcats 14 – 80 Clyde Valley Blackhawks
On their last road trip of the season, The Clyde Valley Blackhawks travelled to Inverness on Sunday, hoping to get back to winning ways.
The Wildcats took possession of the ball and drove steadily up field but the strength of the Blackhawks defence, including a sack from Graeme Duncan, stalled the drive and forced them to attempt the field goal but it fell short.
Blackhawks’ QB Ryan Rogers connected with Tam Chapman on a 26 yard pass to set up the opening score when Rogers kept the ball and drove into the end zone from four yards out. Tam Chapman kicked the extra point.
Clyde Valley added another when Rogers picked out Gary Orr in the end zone from 14 yards out, and Gordon Lockhart kicked the extra point.
The second quarter continued in the same vein with two running touchdowns from Phil McCabe and Graeme MacMillan.
A spirited Wildcats’ special teams fought hard and they were rewarded when James Hudson returned the following kick off for a score, and Scott Mulligan kicked the extra point.
The Blackhawks’ Graeme MacMillan added his second of the day on a 63 yard burst up the sideline, with Tam Chapman slotting over the extra point.
The Wildcats continued to battle and Ewan Miller gave the home side hope when he intercepted a wayward pass but luck was not on their side when a fumble in the end zone was recovered by Blackhawks’ Tam Chapman to add another six to Clyde Valley’s tally. Chapman also converted the extra point.
Andrew Taylor continued to add to the Wildcats’ misery when he recovered another fumble. This set up Phil McCabe for another touchdown, and Chapman again kicked the extra point.
Rookie Darren Sharp got Clyde Valley’s next score driving up field and completing it with an 8 yard burst. Gordon Lockhart kicked the extra point.
Ryan Redpath forced the Wildcats to start deep in their own half after tackling the kick returner. Following a sack by Craig MacMillan and a fumble recovery by Gary Orr, the Blackhawks were set up on the one yard line. Michael Fysh dived in to add six more points. Pressure from the Wildcats forced the extra point to be missed.
Tam Chapman added his second of the day when he snatched a Ryan Rogers pass and bolted 64 yards for the score. The extra point was missed.
Despite the score the Wildcats never gave up and a perfectly weighted pass from QB Kenny MacKay was caught by Ewan Straiton who then raced 46 yards for a score. Martin Devlin kicked the extra point.
In the fourth quarter both Graeme MacMillan and Phil McCabe added to the scoring for the Blackhawks with Gordon Lockhart kicking the final point of the day. Coach Czekalla commended the Highland outfit for never giving up during the game, fighting to the final whistle. Blackhawks would like to thank sponsors James Chapman Quality Butchers, The Commercial Hotel Bar Club, G Douglas, Robert Weir, L and C Ltd., Cottage Cafe. The Blackhawks’ last game of the season is this Sunday against Lancashire Wolverines at Beltane Playing Fields, Wishaw, kick off 4pm.