Pirates Suffer Setback

May 9th, 2025

 Nottingham Caesars 28 – East Kilbride Pirates 12

East Kilbride’s unbeaten start to the season came to a sudden halt with a defeat at the hands of Nottingham, a team they had beaten at home just two weeks prior. Despite this, results elsewhere see the Pirates remain at the top of the Northern Division with the promise of an interesting campaign ahead.

With the game unusually taking place on a Saturday evening, East Kilbride received the opening kick off but proceeded to go 3-and out. The Caesars first drive looked to be even shorter when Fergus McNiven intercepted a wayward Nottingham pass. However, his opponent was alert enough to knock the ball free and Nottingham recovered the fumble to regain possession. Both sides then traded punts twice. Unfortunately for EK, the last of these resulted in Dan Crawley’s kick being blocked and Nottingham recovered at the Pirates’ 3-yard line. After a short run on first down, Sam Lacy ploughed into the endzone from 1 yard out. Will Morgan duly added the PAT for a 7-0 lead. Thankfully the Pirates took just two plays to get themselves on the scoreboard. A 10-yard run by Mark Stewart was followed by a 64 yard passing TD from Logan Gallacher to Struan Bailey. With no recognised kicker available on the day, the Pirates attempted a 2PAT but Stewart was met at the line of scrimmage and held up.

The Pirates had possession as the second period commenced but quickly gave it away with another fumble. The home side took the opportunity to mount a long drive behind their efficient running game and seven plays later Liam McGovern scored with a 24-yard QB keeper on an option play and Morgan again converted. EK once more responded immediately. Starting at their own 25-yard line, Gallacher steadily moved his team upfield before capping it off with a 6-yard pass to Bailey. The 2PAT failed again, leaving the hosts 14-12 ahead. They did have a chance to extend that before half time but Morgan’s 32 yard field goal attempt drifted wide left.

The third quarter was a bit of a stalemate although the Pirates had a lengthy drive that took them from their own 14-yard line all the way to the Caesars’ 2. However they were unable to score despite four attempts. As the quarter drew to a close EK again moved deep into Nottingham territory. Perhaps dwelling on their earlier attempt, they settled for a 20-yard field goal, but Sam McCormick’s kick was blocked, meaning there were still only 2 points between the si   des as the game moved into the final period.

The second half deadlock was eventually broken. Nottingham moved the ball using their strong groundgame and worked their way to the EK 16 before Elliot Jeffrey burst through to score. Morgan’s conversion made the score 21-12 in the home side’s favour. Late in the game another Pirates’ turnover allowed the Caesars to pad the score. A Gallacher pass was intercepted and returned to the EK 3. From there, Wellington Tafireyi scored at the third attempt and Morgan kept up his 100% PAT record. On the subsequent kick off, EK fumbled the ball away, allowing Nottingham to take a knee and seal the victory.

The Jack Daniels MVP award went to Struan Bailey, scorer of the Pirates’ two TD’s.

So, several hard lessons to be taken by East Kilbride from a tough loss as they prepare for their next encounter. They travel to face 2024 Division winners, Manchester Titans, a team who will be determined to make up for their own loss in their only game to date. The sides meet at Belle Vue on Saturday 17^th May (KO 3pm).

Report by Bill Campbell

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