The One That Got Away
May 22nd, 2026
East Kilbride Pirates 13 Coventry Phoenix 16
As anticipated, this game was a closely fought encounter between two long-standing rivals. East Kilbride, playing their second game in seven days, hosted a side who hadn’t beaten the Pirates since their days as Tamworth Phoenix back in 2023. Things got off to an inauspicious start, with Defenses well on top and both sides having to punt on multiple occasions. It was the home side who eventually broke the stalemate. Following two penalties against Coventry on their latest punt, EK started on the Phoenix 27-yard line. Three plays later, veteran Running Back Dougie Meechan scored from 15 yards, running outside and down the right hand touchline to the endzone. Kicker, Gregor Pert, making his Pirates’ debut, notched the PAT for a 7-0 lead. Little did we know at that stage that it would be some time before any more points went on the board.
The second period continued in the same vein as the first, with neither side able to maintain any Offensive momentum. Indeed, the nearest to any scoring came on the very last play of the period. An interception of a Scott McKigen pass gave the visitors possession and they moved it steadily down field. However, with time against them, they had to settle for a 26-yard Field Goal attempt. Fortunately for the Pirates, the kick by Aaron Jones flew wide of the right post and their one score advantage remained unscathed.
Unsurprisingly, the 3rd Quarter proceeded to follow the same blueprint as the first two. There was another missed Field Goal, this time Pert’s 33-yard attempt falling just short as EK tried to pad their advantage. Towards the end of the Quarter, Coventry finally breached EK’s stalwart Defense. A 30-yard breakout run took them inside the red zone and an 18-yard pass by Adam Hydari found Aaron Jones for the TD. Jones added the PAT and the game was tied at 7-7 moving into the final period.
Coventry’s initial drive of the fourth quarter saw them going backwards and at one point they were in a 2nd-and-42 hole. However, a penalty against EK that came with an automatic First Down dug them out of that particular situation. They gratefully took advantage of that reprieve, and continued the drive, leading to a 5-yard TD run by Bami Olupona that Jones again converted. The Pirates response stalled and they punted once more. Pert’s kick forced Coventry deep into their own half and the home Defense soon capitalised. On First Down, with Hydari under extreme pressure, Geoff Vera forced a fumble that Rob Hayes recovered and returned for 6 points. As Pert prepared to add the PAT and tie the game disaster struck. A wayward snap saw holder Arran McDonald left with the ball and he was hit as he tried to throw it away, causing in to pop straight into the hands of defender Amrit Chatha. With a convoy in front of him and only Pert to beat, he returned it fully 72 yards to the Pirates endzone. Despite there being a flag against the Coventry sideline during the return, the “Deuce” was allowed to stand, giving a bonus 2 points to the Phoenix. East Kilbride were now 3 points behind rather than all square and with time running out, needed a quick response. That reply never appeared and the visitors were content to keep the ball on the ground and run out the clock. With EK having used all their time outs, it only remained for Hydari to take a knee and end the game.
The Buffalo Trace Bourbon Gameday MVP Award was presented to Rob Hayes not only for his TD, but a tireless display on the D-Line, making tackles and pressuising the QB. So East Kilbride’s record falls to 1-2, with the two defeats being by a combined total of just 4 points. There is a short break now until the next fixture which is the return game against Merseyside Nighthawks on June 7th.
Report by Bill Campbell
Photos courtesy of Duncolm Sports Photography – find the full gallery here
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