| Opponent: | Stirling |
| Date: | TBD |
| Location: | Garscube |
Team |
W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stirling | 6 |
0 |
0 |
| Napier | 4 |
3 |
0 |
| Glasgow | 3 |
4 |
0 |
| Caledonian | 3 |
4 |
0 |
| Paisley | 1 |
6 |
0 |
@ Garscube
Minibus leaves GUU at 6pm
Tigers Win Scottish Division
by Charlie Brown
The Tigers won the Scottish Division for the 3rd year in a row with a 23-0, 20-0 double-header victory. The Tigers go 5-3 and will face Newcastle Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. The victory saw all rookies getting game time with Rookie QB Gregor Beattie taking his first snaps of his career completing a pass to fellow rookie Rory “Donovan” McAlpine. While another rookie Dave Mann showed promise improving with every kick as the touchdowns rolled in. On punts a warning goes out to any spectators for the Newcastle game not to park in the spaces next to the pitch or Grant McCauslin might hit your motor. Second year running back Matt Allen also had his first Tigers touchdown. Unfortunately no defensive stats this time except key moments as I had to hold the downmarker.
Dan Seltzer opened the scoring with a 5.5-yard td grab from Matt McCusker. The 2 point conversion attempt descended into almost failure when McCusker fumbled but managed to flick the ball into the hands of tail back Gregor “Betty” Hollerin who ran in for the score. Gregor Beattie added to his solo tackle on the opening kick off taking down the Stirling returner.
Matt Norton caught a 15-yard pass as the Tigers move down the field. Followed by Grant McCauslin running in from 42 yards out on a wide receiver reverse who then snagged the 2 point conversion pass from McCusker taking the score to 16 – 0.
Hollerin then made an outstanding run for 78 yards from the Tigers 11-yard line to the Clansmen’s 11 yard line. Full back Ronald “Pebbles” Gaffin then was stopped half a yard short of the goal line. The Tigers lost 2 yards on the next play but Matt Norton benefited from the play action sucking in the Stirling defenders when McCusker found him wide open in the endzone. Hollerin added the PAT leaving the tigers 23-0 up.
Paul “Sunshine” Kirkland QB for the opening 4 games intercepted the ball and returned to QB to lead the Tigers up the field with a potent rushing attack along with Hollerin and Gaffin scrambling to the 3 yard line. Kirkland’s pass was then tipped and bobbled back before we recovered it leaving us 2nd and goal on the 35. Kirkland’s next pass was incomplete before one yard was gained on the ground. Beattie then came in facing 4th and goal on the 24 only to throw an interception.
McCusker grabbed the Tigers second pick of the game after stepping in at linebacker. Beattie then returned to QB completing a pass to McAlpine before Matt Allen was stopped just short of the first down on 4th.
Hollerin then decided to play Aussie rules, dropping the ball before catching it first bounce while rushing for a 17 yard gain only to fumble on the next play handing the ball over to Stirling. Stirling pushed up the field before Justin McNaughton intercepted the ball only to be tackled on the 50 and end the first half.
The second half opened with the Tigers looking sluggish and were forced to attempt a fake punt pass completed to Kirkland from gunner but he was forced out of bounds 1 yard short of the 1st.
Stirling’s play selection coming from a choice of five seemed flawed when the WR screen again caused a turnover when McNaughton tipped the pass before McCauslin recovered it. McCauslin then grabbed a 33 yard pass taking the ball to the 13 yard line. The Offence then stalled with a fourth down pass to Matt Norton was complete but he was out of bounds giving the ball back to the visitors.
Hollerin produced some more good running but his fumblitis was getting worse although fortunately McNaughton recovered this time. Matt Allen then carried for 3 and McCusker connected with McCauslin again from 15 yards out. Gaffin caught a swing pass for the 2-point conversion giving the Tigers the opening score of the 2nd half.
The Tigers then started deep in their own half with Matt Allen starting the drive off getting behind a wall of o-linemen battering down field to gain 10 yards. McCusker once again found McCauslin in open space taking the ball 50 yards before being stopped on Stirling’s 17 yard line. Another swing pass to Gaffin took the Tigers to the 2-yard line. Matt Allen then pounded in to get his first ever Tigers TD. McCauslin attempted to run in a fake PAT but was stopped and lateralled to McAlpine who couldn’t quite make it into the endzone.
McNaughton then almost got his 3rd pick of the game but dropped it however the pass was backwards and he fell on the ball setting us up in good field position on Stirling’s 18 yard line. McCusker rumble for 11 then the one man battering ram ploughed through the Stirling D for the score. Hollerin attempted a drop kick that appeared to go through the uprights but the referee didn’t give it.
The Tigers offence was impressive using 7 different rushers to overpower a Stirling team playing only their 3rd game of the season. Next week brings the 6-2 Newcastle who opened the season strongly but have lost both their games in the 2nd term and the Tigers will be seeking revenge for last season’s defeat in the first round of the playoffs.
