Claymores toasted by Fire
Scottish Claymores 3Rhein Fire 31
Arena AufSchalke
THE CLAYMORES hopes of ending a six-game losing streak at fortress Fire where crushed at the Arena AufSchalke on Saturday night as the Scots once again fell victim to a roasting in Rhein, this time suffering a 31-3 defeat.
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| Claymores RB Maurice Hicks struggles for extra Yardage |
However, the match - like so many Claymores visits before in Rhein - was not without controversy with Rhein taking a crucial 10-3 lead into the half-time break after it looked as if the Scots had regained possession on a fumbled punt return by Atlanta Falcons allocated wide receiver Willie Quinnie.
The officials ruled the fumble in favour of Fire - despite tight end Marcus Helfman clearly coming up with the ball - allowing Rhein to stifle any Claymores first-half comeback. Head coach Jack Bicknell was clearly incensed by the decision, which put paid to the Scots chances of getting back on level terms before the break.
After the game, Bicknell, said: "I'm still trying to work out what happened on that play. We punt - they fumble, and our kid walks of the field with the ball. The officials said that our player wrestled it away when they were on the ground. But when you're struggling all of these things seem monumental. I don't blame the officials - we were frustrated with the call but when you get beat 31-3 you should really just keep your mouth shut and go home.
"Yes, a couple of crazy calls did not go our way but we shouldn't complain. When you're not on top and in control, those types of decision don't tend to go your way. We need to turn that around. It will be interesting to see how we respond and how the rest of the season goes from here on in."
Despite the loss, Bicknell still believes his team will come good. He said: I've been telling everyone that our team is better than our results have suggested. I still believe that. But I guess it is now time to put up or shut up starting with our game next Sunday at Hampden.
"I still like the team we have. I think they will fight to the end. I don't think we are bad. But we weren't very good tonight."
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| Broncos allocate Ahmaad Galloway tries to break a tackle. |
After an exchange of possessions, defensive end Gavin Walls sacked Chad Hutchinson for an eight-yard loss. But the Claymores couldn't capitalise handing Fire great field position at the end of the first quarter when Quinnie returned a Nick Murphy punt to the Scots 35.
Hutchison moved Fire down to the Scots one-yard line at the start of the second quarter, setting up Cleveland Browns' allocated running back Joffrey Reynolds to sweep into the endzone, going in untouched after reversing his run to make it 7-3 in favour of Fire after the extra point from Mike Shafer.
The Claymores offense spluttered to get going with Curt Anes taking over at quarterback but the defense held firm with pressure on Hutchinson - this time from Browns allocated defensive tackle Cedric Scott who dropped him for an eight-yard loss.
Bicknell was incensed on the Claymores next possession when, after being forced to punt, it looked like tight end Helfman had come up with the loose ball after Fire returner Quinnie had fumbled.
To Bicknell's fury, the officials ruled that it was Rhein who had recovered, and seven plays later Fire added to their lead when German kicker when Ingo Anderbrugge converted a 20-yard field goal to give Rhein an important 10-3 advantage at the end of the half.
Rhein continued to fire at the start of the second half moving down to the Scots five-yard line after Claymores cornerback Gerald Dixon was adjudged to have impeded Fire rusher Jeremey Allen who had streaked down the sideline attempting to latch on to a deep Hutchinson pass.
Two plays later, the Dallas Cowboys triggerman carved the Claymores defense in half finding Quinnie at the back of the endzone on a precision strike from nine yards out. Anderbrugge kicked the point after, and Fire were now controlled the game, 17-3 in front.
Running back Ahmadd Galloway got the Claymores offense moving in response, powering the Scots into Rhein territory. But his hard work was nullified when Hybl was picked off by Rhein safety Howard at Fire's 26 as the quarterback attempted to find McCready.
The stunned Claymores offense could not stop Howard as he ran the pick all the way back into the Claymores endzone on a decisive 79-yard return for touchdown. Anderbrugge was again good with the PAT and Rhein took a 24-3 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Hybl fought back moving the offense down to the Fire six - but the attack was derailed when running back Maurice Hicks was stripped of possession trying to break into the endzone, the bobbling ball recovered for Rhein by linebacker Charles Burton.
The Claymores continued to self-destruct when a poor snap on a punt deep in Scots' territory resulted in punter Nick Murphy being tackled with the ball at his own three-yard line after his attempted clearance was charged down.
Reynolds rubbed salt into the Scots wounds two plays later, diving into the endzone from two yards. Anderbrugge hit the extra point and Rhein rounded out their destruction of the Claymores 31-3.
"You get beaten 31-3 - and you have to ask what positives can you take from this? But I think we can take a few," said Bicknell afterwards. "We made a commitment to run the ball in the second half, which we did. Our players played hard throughout the game - we didn't necessarily play smart - but our team played hard the whole game."
The Claymores fall to 0-2 after opening the season with two losses in Germany. Bicknell will hope to lift his troops for the Claymores opening home game of the 2004 season at Hampden Park next Sunday, April 18 against Rhein Fire.
"We have some tough games ahead of us but we have players who want to be here and want to get better and I stand by what I have been saying - I know we will be okay. It is still very early in the season - we have lost to Berlin and Rhein on the road. We have to take something back when they come to us and then we have to go on an win against the others we haven't played."
And Bicknell added: "It's too early to panic. I'm looking forward to our next few games to see how it develops. I'd like to be in apposition to say I told you that we are good - starting next week - but tonight we weren't."
* In other NFL Europe League Week 2 action, Frankfurt Galaxy defeated Cologne Centurions 20-10, while Berlin Thunder triumphed 28-17 over Amsterdam Admirals.
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11 Apr, 04 | 4:00 pm