Pirates Dampen The Flames

August 16th, 2024

Tamworth Phoenix 12 – East Kilbride Pirates 36

East Kilbride ended their 204 campaign with a comfortable win over Tamworth Phoenix, the first time they had bested their old foes since 2015. After a slow start to a “rebuilding” season, following changes in both playing and coaching staff, a strong finish has seen the Pirates end up with a winning record (5-4-1) and third place in the Division. This provides a strong platform to build on as the team move into their 40^th anniversary year in 2025.

EK’s first possession was short lived, while the host’s ended in a failed 33-yard field goal attempt. The Pirates then went on a long drive, only to give up an interception on the edge of the endzone.Tamworth couldn’t move the ball however, and a poor punt left EK in good field position. A short drive on the back of strong running from Mark Stewart was rounded off when QB Cammy Dunn carried over from the 1-yard line. Dunn then found Andrew McBride for the 2PAT conversion and an 8-0 lead as the Quarter ended.

Mistakes by East Kilbride allowed Tamworth back into the game. A fumble recovery gave Phoenix a short field, then a debatable Pass Interference call moved them  even closer. A 2-yard pass on an elaborate end around, reverse and throw just made it to the endzone. Rob Hayes blocked the PAT to retain a 2-point lead for the Pirates. Unfazed, EK responded immediately. A 41-yard pass from Dunn to Neil Baptie, playing at wide receiver on the day, was stopped just shy of the endzone. The TD was only delayed for 2 plays and Dunn connected with Fraser McDonald from 2-yards out. Stewart ran in the 2PAT to stretch the Pirates lead to 16-6.

In their previous encounter, Tamworth had responded strongly to being behind at the interval. Any chance of a repeat quickly disappeared. On the first play after the restart, Ryan Strachan read the pitch out to the Phoenix running back, got a hand to it and knocked it in the air before catching it and returning the interception 20 yards for a TD. Stewart again ran in the 2PAT and EK now had a three score advantage. They padded that lead later in the period when Stewart got the reward for his hard work with a powerful 70-yard TD run. The conversion failed this time around, but the Pirates were now up by 30 points to 6.

On their first play of the final quarter, Tamworth did reduce the deficit on a long passing play. EK’s cornerback got caught under the ball, then lost his footing as he turned, allowing the receiver to catch and run for what turned into a 75-yard scoring play. The 2PAT pass however fell incomplete. The final score of the day came when Ryan Miller pulled in his second interception of the game and returned this one 31-yards, and while the 2PAT fell incomplete, a 36-12 victory on the road had been secured.

Pirates’ MVPs on the day were Cameron Dunn for the offense and Ryan Miller for the defense, and overall team MVP and special mention was also given to retiring QB Neil Baptie. Injured early in the Season, Neil has worked his way back, initially performing as   unter/kicker before playing his final game at Wide Receiver, the position he first wanted to play when he joined the team back in 2010.

While the season may be over for the Senior team, both the age group sides are involved in Play-off football. The U16’s travel to Sheffield later in the month while before that, the U19’s host Nottingham Caesars in the National semi-final. That game takes place at GHA Rugby Club on Sunday 18^th August, kicking off at 2pm.

Report by Bill Campbell

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