Lancashire Wolverines 21 Clyde Valley Blackhawks 42
The Clyde Valley Blackhawks went into the final game of their inaugural season against the veteran team of Lancashire Wolverines.
The Blackhawks were hoping to end their season on a high and things looked good when Clyde Valley won the toss and received the ball. A couple of plays later however, they coughed up the ball on a fumbled play but the solid Blackhawks defence took to the field and Craig MacMillan handed the ball back to his offence when he intercepted a wayward pass from the Wolverines QB.
Despite some strong running from Graeme ‘G Mac’ MacMillan, Wolverines’ Ant Stephenson and Russ Waddell combined to turn the ball over once more. Adam Purcell added to Blackhawks’ woes when he intercepted a pass but they were unable to take advantage.
MacMillan broke the scoring for the Blackhawks when he snatched a Wolverines pass and returned it all the way for the opening touchdown. The extra point went wide left.
A fumble recovery by Lancashire’s Russ Waddell lead to the scoring being tied on a four yard sweep by Chris Littler, but the extra point was blocked by Clyde Valley’s Graeme Duncan.
The 2nd quarter saw the Blackhawks add to their tally when David Orr carried the ball over from four yards out, and Tam Chapman slotted over the extra point.
Another error on the Blackhawks’ next possession gave Lancashire excellent field position but the stingy visiting defence stopped the ball carrier on the one. But this only delayed the Wolverines from tying the score as Craig Carter recovered another Clyde Valley fumble for a touchdown. Danny Morton added the extra point.
Blackhawks went in front again in the third quarter when Gary Orr hauled in a 14 yard pass from QB David Orr. Although the initial extra point kick was blocked Phil McCabe picked up the loose ball and carried it over for the extra two.
The Wolverines soon levelled the scoring again when Adam Greg connected with QB David Mead for a 15 yard touchdown, and James Lago added the extra two points.
In the 4th quarter, Blackhawks scored 21 unanswered points. Following a punt from Tam Chapman that was downed at the two yard line, Lancashire was forced to start deep in their own half. Graeme ‘Special’ McMillan added another 2 points to the Blackhawks’ tally when he downed the runner in the end zone for the safety.
The home crowd had more to cheer when David Orr went on a tackle breaking run from the 23 yard line to score another six. This time the swarming Wolverines special teams broke up the extra point attempt.
On Clyde Valley’s following possession, MacMillan added his second of the day when he burst 32 yards up field for the touchdown, and Tam Chapman kicked the extra point.
MacMillan continued to add to Wolverines’ misery when on the Blackhawks’ next drive he scampered 59 yards for his third touchdown of the day. The extra point kick was missed.
Lancashire continued to battle and Neil Sullivan returned the kickoff to give them a short field but a sack from Clyde Valley’s David Yates along with the final whistle put paid to any further scoring.
Clyde Valley would like to thank sponsors James Chapman Quality Butchers, The Commercial Hotel Barr Club, De Nero’s Fast Food, Railway Inn, Hamish Wilson Hair Salon, Jack Daniel Bar, today’s chain crew and ball boys as well as everyone who has supported them throughout the season.