Last Gasp Pirates
April 15th, 2025
East Kilbride Pirates 18 – Coventry Phoenix 16
EKP managed to pull off the latest of late escapes to clinch the W in their season opener on Sunday. As the Pirates kicked off their 40th Anniversary campaign, it looked for a long time that they would be starting with a loss, but a never-say-die attitude saw them retrieve the situation in the final moments.
Neither side made much headway on their opening possession, but East Kilbride immediately moved ahead on their second. A 58-yard run by Greg Black took the ball deep into the Phoenix red-zone, and from there, fellow RB Mark Stewart powered home for a 7-yard TD. QB Reece Aris’ 2-point pass attempt was picked off in the endzone, leaving the home side 6-0 ahead. Despite the Pirates’ Defence being on top in the early stages, their Offence couldn’t take advantage. A long delay following a serious injury to a Coventry player saw both sides lose a bit of focus and there was no further scoring in the first quarter.
The visitors had the ball at the start of the second period and put together a 12-play drive that culminated in QB Ollie Sweeney finding Jeff Adusei-Ampong in the corner of the endzone from 30 yards for the tying TD and Ross Denton added the PAT to take the lead. The Pirates next drive stalled and a wayward snap on the punt left Coventry in good position. Not wanting to refuse the gift, Sweeney again passed to the back corner from 17 yards out, this time connecting with James Schofield and Denton again converted.
The Pirates woes were still not complete as later in the period, backed up near their own goal-line, QB Aris tried to run the ball, only to be tackled and have the ball knocked loose. Fortunately it rolled out the side of the endzone before it could be recovered, meaning a Safety rather than a TD was conceded. The bad news continued as Aris was injured on the play and would take no further part in the game. So as half time arrived, the visitors led 16-6.
Coventry had the ball first in Q3 but an interception by debutant Jonny Nicolson quickly regained possession for EK. With Logan Gallacher now in at QB, the Pirates crafted a steady 15-play drive all the way to the Phoenix’s 9-yard line, and from there Gallacher produced his first ever TD pass for the Senior side, finding Struan Bailey for the TD. The 2PAT pass again failed, but there was still all to play for as the game moved into the final period.
With the Pirates’ defence now restricting their opponents to mainly short gains, possession traded hands several time. Phoenix did try to stretch their advantage with a 42 yard field goal attempt, but a miss-kick saw it travel along the ground. With the game inside the 2-minute warning and Coventry in control of the ball, the clock was EK’s biggest enemy. Then surprisingly Phoenix threw 3 incomplete passes, giving the Pirates one last chance. A Gallacher to Bailey pass moved the ball to the 13 yard line but a 3rd Down sack of Gallacher left EK with one last shot at redemption. Gallacher passed from the 12 yard line and and connected with Bailey, but short of paydirt. However, the receiver was determined to reach the endzone, and with the help of some of his O-line team mates, drove the tacklers across the goal line. A third unsuccessful 2PAT followed, but no-one really cared as EK had snatched a win from the jaws of defeat. Coventry did have time to go for broke, but a series of incomplete passes and a short 4th Down completion allowed EXP to take a knee to end the encounter.
The Jack Daniels MVP award went to Logan Gallacher for a mature. 2 TD performance after having come on to replace his injured colleague.
The Pirates are back in action this Sunday (20th) when they face newly promoted Nottingham Caesars. The Caesars narrowly lost their opening game to Newcastle Vikings and will provide a stern test for East Kilbride who have now hopefully knocked off any rust and will be looking for an improved performance. The game at GHA Rugby Club will kick off around 3:30pm, and will be preceded at midday by EK Pirates U19 taking on Edinburgh Napier Knights U19.
Report by Bill Campbell
Photos courtesy Duncolm Sports Photography – you can find a full gallery here
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