Tuesday 4 June 2013

Pirates make statement with decisive win over Mustangs

Despite winning their first two games without conceding a point, East Kilbride have recently found themselves under the microscope of the game’s pundits who were suggesting that the Pirates had peaked and were no longer the force they had been in recent years. This only served to add further determination to the squad as they prepared to take on one of the other unbeaten teams in the Premier North division.

East Kilbride received the opening kick-off and an impressive return by Aaron Paterson gave them good field position. On the first play from scrimmage, running back Iain Dick broke free and raced 54 yards to the endzone. Mark Murphy kicked the conversion and the home side were 7-0 ahead with only seconds played. The Defense were equally fired up and forced Doncaster to punt after only three plays. A six play drive ensued, combining the rushing talents of Dick and quarterback Ryan Hunter before the latter finished it with a 14-yard scoring run. Murphy converted for a second time to extend the lead to 14-0. Again the Mustangs couldn’t generate any response and were forced to punt. However, the kick was blocked by Mark Murphy and EK regained possession deep in Doncaster territory. Two plays later, Neil Baptie, now in at Quarterback, carried home from 4 yards before Murphy once more tagged on the extra point.

The home side continued to dominate and took just two plays to get the ball back, with Aaron Paterson snaring an interception and returning it to the Mustangs 3-yard line. An Offensive Pass Interference call pushed the Pirates back temporarily, but they made up the lost yardage before adding a fortuitous touchdown. Baptie was tackled short of the goal-line and the ball was jarred loose on impact, but it fell straight into the hands of Iain Dick who scored instead. Murphy’s conversion made it 28-0 and the Pirates were well in control before the first period had ended.

Iain Dick carries the ball for the Pirates offence. Courtesy of Duncan Gray

BAFANL Playoff structure

PLAYOFF STRUCTURE - NATIONAL

Highest rank team maintains home field advantage.

Quarters -
Top two teams from each conference.
Game A - 1st in North plays 2nd in Central
Game B - 1st in Central plays 2nd in North
Game C - 1st in South plays 2nd in South Central
Game D - 1st in South Central plays 2nd in South

Semi's -
Game N1 - Winners of Game A plays Winners of Game B
Game N2 - Winners of Game C plays Winners of Game D

Final -
Winners of Game N1 vs Winners of Game N2

With both National Final teams being promoted to the Premier Division for 2014. The lowest ranked Premier team in each conference will be demoted.
is the national ne

PLAYOFF STRUCTURE - PREMIER

Quarters -
Game A - 1st North plays 4th South,
Game B - 1st South plays 4th North
Game C - 2nd North plays 3rd South
Game D - 2nd South plays 3rd North

Semi's -
Game P1 - Winners of game A play winners of Game D
Game P2 - Winners of game B play winners of game C

Final -
Winners of Game P1 vs Winners of Game P2

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