All this week we're bringing you some special edition interviews from the Shamrock Bowl Conference ahead of the Wildcard Playoff matches this coming Sunday. First up Double Coverage (DC) caught up with University College Dublin's Head Coach, Eoin Cunningham (EC):
The University "Colours" Derby between UCD (blue) and TCD (red) - photo by Ash O'Flanagan (ashoflanagan.tumblr.com)
The
game began with Waterfords defence taking to the field for the first series of plays;
the Bulldogs (after going for it on fourth down) only got the first down due to
a defensive penalty. Time for Waterfords newly revitalised offence to take the
field against the third best defence in IAFL D1. The offence led by #37 Aaron
Walsh started to test the Meath defensive line using their running attacks to
pull the defence first left and then right and then right up the middle. But
Meath stood firm. This continued for the first quarter with the only notable
point being a 15 yard pass from Bulldogs quarterback #7 Eddie McMahon
connecting with his receiver.
Wolves Defence hit the back field
chasing down #7 Eddie McMahon
The last time these two teams faced off was back in week 6 when the Gators were without Quarterback Tom Clancy, RB/LB Zack Skuse to name a couple. The Bobcats were also without one of their difference makers in Week 6 in the form of Offensive Tackle Orlando Victor who showed how much impact he can have on a game in the semi-final route of the Cowboys.
The Bobcats came firing out of the gates going 3 scores up inside the first half. Holloway opened the scoring with a powerful run before S.Kosteletos chipped in with one rushing and one receiving touchdown (thrown by Bleakman). Clancy pulled a rushing touchdown back before halftime to give the Gators hope heading into the second half trailing 21-7.
The Second half went no better for the Gators as the Bobcats scored on their first possession when Bleakman found Holloway down the field for his second score and Bleakman’s second passing score. The Gators answered when Platts ripped off a long touchdown run to bring it back within two scores. This was as close as they got though as the Bobcats power run game took over and Trudgian rumbled in for two scores of his own to close out the game for the Bobcats and crown them the first ever BACL Champions.
Special Guest Coach Robert Orr, from Stirling University, chose the Bobcats Quarterback Bleakman as the BACL Bowl MVP for his two passing Touchdown performance and over fifty yards rushing. Special mention was given to Gators Runningback / Linebacker Liam Platts who had a terrific game in a losing effort.
The Bulls faced Coventry Jets for the first time since 2008,
with the club having never beaten their local rivals.
Both teams were on losing streaks following opening game
successes (Bulls losing 3 and the Jets losing 4 in a row respectively), and one
team would be putting an end to the poor form.
After receiving the opening kick-off, the Bulls offense
suffered a short drive before punting in to Jets territory. Former Bulls Youth
player, Fraser Oliver, led his offense on to the field and Coventry immediately
opened the scoring.
A deep pass down the right sideline from quarterback Oliver saw the
Jets receiver (Noach Ben-Haim) beat defensive back Jack Pemberton and run the ball in to
the end zone for an approximate 50 yard score. With the PAT successful, the Jets
were 7-0 up early.
Following on from the popular "Call Me Maybe", the Dolphins Cheerleaders find something productive to do. Well, it's not like they're going to be cheering many wins this year...
Lancashire Wolverines 7 - East
Kilbride Pirates 39 The Pirates
continued a strong start to the season with a win on the road against a
disciplined Lancashire Wolverines team. The visitors
started strongly, putting together a four play drive that resulted in the first
score of the day, with running back Iain Dick taking the ball over the goal
line. Mark Murphy converted, giving the Pirates a 7-0 lead early in the game. The visiting
defense held the Wolverines to a 3-and-out, which was very much the theme of
the day as the Pirates, despite having a few starters missing, asserted their
will on the home team and minimised their threat for much of the game.
