East Kilbride Pirates clinch NFC North 1 title on final day to seal play-off advantage

Lancashire Wolverines...7 East Kilbride Pirates...34

By Bill Campbell

Having secured their place in the play-offs last week, East Kilbride needed a win to also secure the NFC 1 North title, along with a home game in the first knockout round.

And they did just that on their trip to Lancashire Wolverines on Sunday.

EK were quickly out of the blocks in this encounter and, after forcing a quick punt from the home side, EK put together a faultless first possession.

An 8-play drive was rounded off by a 7-yard run from QB Neil Baptie to open the scoring followed by a successful PAT by Scott McDonald. An Aaron Callaghan interception immediately put the Offence back onto the field, and this time Baptie passed to Struan Bailey for an 8-yard TD before McDonald kicked the extra point for a 14-0 lead.

Not long into Q2 Baptie again found an open receiver, with Fraser McDonald scoring on a 31-yard reception which his namesake converted.

As in the first period, a Pirates’ interception brought the Wolverines’ progress to a sudden halt, Ker Stuart nabbing the ball out of his opposite number’s hands this time around.

It was running back Greg Black’s turn to capitalise, breaking several tackles on his way to a 31-yard TD.

Unfortunately, Scott McDonald’s PAT hit the post with a resounding clunk. He did get the chance to redeem himself just before the interval, but a 40-yard field goal attempt drifted wide.

With a 27-0 lead in place, it was perhaps understandable that EK’s foot would come off the gas, although the coaching staff were less than happy with a scoreless third quarter.

Their dismay was compounded when the home side scored early in the final period.

A 45-yard catch and run took them deep into Pirates’ territory before QB Josh Mills