Cardiac Claymores save the season
Scottish Claymores 13, Rhein Fire 12 Hampden Park. Attendance: 9,165 THE Cardiac Claymores touched down at Hampden Park on Sunday as Jack Bicknell's team recorded their first victory of the 2004 NFL Europe League season - a stunning 13-12 last-second win over Rhein Fire - in arguably the most thrilling, sensational end to a game in Claymores history.  |
| Ronald Bellamy comes down with the game winning touchdown catch |
Trailing 12-7 with 1:27 left in the game, the previously anemic Claymores offense led by a resurgent Anes, moved the ball efficiently during a last-gasp desperation drive from the Scots own 20-yard line.
It looked like mission impossible for the Claymores, but the improbable became the possible as six plays later Anes lobbed the sublime 28-yard, game-winning touchdown arc to the corner of the Rhein Fire endzone and to Bellamy to record the stunning 13-12 win.
The sensational victory moved the Claymores to 1-4 in the League standings and throws the club a lifeline going into the second half of the NFL Europe season.
Afterwards, relived head coach Bicknell, said: "First of all, I'd like to say a big thank you to the Claymores fans. At 0-4, we were down but those fans never gave up on us and were a true inspiration to the whole team getting behind us today and never quitting. I thought the fans really helped us today and the players and I really appreciate it.
"I'm sorry for Rhein who played well, but we needed the win desperately. Now we've got Frankfurt here at Hampden next Sunday and we can't wait to play them. I am really looking forward to the second half of the season where we are home three times, which will become a major factor."
The Claymores defense got off to a punishing start when defensive end Cedric Scott stripped the ball from Rhein rusher Joffrey Reynolds on the game's first series. Safety Kahlil Carter recovered the loose ball handing the Claymores an early turnover and possession.
The offense stalled on its opening drive but the defense continued to hold limiting Fire to a 48-yard field goal from kicker Mike Shafer after a seven-play drive.
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| Ahmaad Galloway attracts the close attention of the Fire defense |
Rhein responded immediately with Dallas Cowboys allocated quarterback Chad Hutchinson moving his team downfield with big gains to tight end Dwayne Blakely. But again the Claymores defense held firm and Fire failed to make a 31-yard field goal from Ingo Anderbrugge
Anes got the Scots moving at the start of the second quarter from the Claymores five, but again the drive stalled and after Hutchinson failed to get Fire into scoring territory. The half ended, for the first time this season, with the Claymores 7-3 in front.
The Claymores exploded into life at the start of the third quarter when Ahmaad Galloway burst open on a 44-yard pass play from Hybl to take the Scots into scoring range. But the Claymores could not get on to the scoreboard after Rob Hart's 47-yard field goal went wide left.
The defense stepped up with linemen Ivory McCoy and Alan Harper combining on a sack to down Hutchinson and force another Fire punt. But Rhein got the ball back quickly when safety Abdual Howard intercepted Hybl for the second time this season, deep in Claymores territory to the Scots 22.
Claymores end Durrand Roundtree made his presence felt sacking Hutchinson for a 10-yard loss forcing Rhein to attempt a 45-yard field goal. This time Shafer was good and Rhein pulled the score back to 7-6 with 7:42 to play in the third.
The Claymores defense held firm again, but a disastrous muffed punt return by Ian Smart set Fire up at the Claymores 13. It looked as if the Claymores had reclaimed possession when wide out Willie Quinnie had the ball stripped by cornerback Jermaine Chatman and it appeared as if the Claymores' defense had recovered the ball. But the officials ruled the pass incomplete allowing Anderbrugge to strike a 31-yard field goal to give Fire a 9-7 advantage with two minutes left in the quarter.
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| Scott McCready arrives to celebrate with Bellamy |
Once again, the Claymores defense was solid with big sacks from linebacker Jimmy McClain and tackle Damien Gregory, but Rhein edged further ahead with a 41-yard field from Shafer to make it 12-7 in their favour with 11 minutes to play.
The Claymores got the ball back with less than four minutes remaining but Anes could not complete a vital fourth down pass, giving Fire possession at Scotland's 33 at the two-minute warning. Rhein then had an opportunity to run out the clock, but after another great defensive stand from the Claymores were forced to punt.
Anes took over at the Scots 10 with 1:27 to play. Going into a hurry-up offense, Anes quickly moved his group downfield hitting tight end Marcus Helfman for 16 yards, wide receiver Scott McCready on a 15-yard gain and running back Hicks for another 15-yard gain.
With 13 seconds on the clock Anes found Bellamy at the end of his 28-yard touchdown pass and the Claymores savoured victory for the first time this season.
Head coach Bicknell, added: "This was probably the most important game I've had since I've been in this league. As a coach, I've never been 0-4. Now I feel entirely different on just one play. We're still struggling on offense, but with this win I truly believe we will solve those problems.
"This was a critical win for us and we're now really looking forward to the second half. I shake my head at some of the things we did, but I really believe this is as a result of us being so tight over the last few weeks. It is like a big weight is off our shoulders and we have five great opportunities ahead of us and I really think you'll see a different team now."
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