Tigers tamed as Pirates continue unbeaten run
May 24th, 2022
East Kilbride Pirates 38 – Glasgow Tigers 00
Both sides struggled to get into any rhythm in the early stages and the first period passed without any scoring. Early in the second, a good punt return by Christian Rubuga took the ball back to midfield. From there it needed just two carries by Dougie Meechan to put the first points on the board. His 11-yard TD run was successfully converted by Scott McDonald for a 7-0 lead. A torrential downpour then made ball-handling more difficult but the Pirates managed to add a second touchdown before half time. A 7-play drive was rounded off by a 1-yard plunge from running back Greg Black. McDonald duly added the PAT for a 14-0 interval lead.
By the time the second half kicked off, the rain had stopped. Early in the period, the home side increased their advantage. A disasterous sequence of play for the Tigers saw them penalised for a delay of game, lose yardage on a wayward snap then fail to get the punt off on 4th Down. This left the Pirates at the Glasgow 17-yard line and they quickly capitalised. Sam Montgomerie completed a pass to Neil Baptie before Black ran the ball in from the remaining 4 yards. McDonald again converted and it was also he who was next to score. A 42-yard field goal split the uprights, making the score 24-0 moving into the final quarter.
By this stage, the low, setting sun was becoming a factor as the game worked towards its conclusion. Early in the quarter, Meechan notched his second TD of the game with a 13-yard carry and McDonald kicked the extra point.
The final score came late in the game when McDonald, now playing at QB, completed a 6-yard TD pass to Rubuga, then kicked the PAT.
Next up for the Pirates is the return fixture against Inverclyde Goliaths at GHA Rugby Club, G46 6EB on Sunday 5 June. This will be a “Black Out” game, when the team will wear their throwback all black uniform. Kick off is at 3.00pm.
Report by Bill Campbell
Photos courtesy Duncolm Sports Photography
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