Scottish Claymores - American Football in Scotland

Claymores silenced by Thunder

Scottish Claymores 19, Berlin Thunder 27
Hampden Park, 9,153

LEAGUE toppers Berlin Thunder handed the Claymores a 27-19 defeat at Hampden Park dropping the Scots to 2-7 in the NFL Europe standings with one week of the regular season remaining.

 
Linebacker Ryan Myers broke George Coghills record for tackles in a season
Two third-quarter touchdown strikes from Thunder back-up passer David Rivers reversed a Claymores 13-6 first-half lead as the Scots offense self-destructed in front of their own suffering support at the National Stadium.

Berlin now have a chance of becoming only the third team to go 9-1 for a season as they prepare to face Frankfurt Galaxy two weeks in a row with a June 12 showdown in World Bowl XII to look forward to.

The only bright spots on a disappointing day for Jack Bicknell's team was the performance of Ryan Myers, who broke George Coghill's long-standing single season total tackles record of 61, and an 11-reception display from league-leading wide receiver Scott McCready which brought him within eight catches of the Claymores single season reception record.

Afterwards, head coach Bicknell, rued the mistakes that let Thunder back into the game after the Claymores looked to be in control.

The Claymores opened impressively with Arth moving the offense downfield quickly at the start of the game, running back Maurice Hicks capping a four-play scoring drive with a 26-yard touchdown romp. Hart converted the extra point and the Claymores took an early 7-0 lead.

The Scots defense were making their presence felt too, cornerback Brad Franklin placing a fierce hit on wide receiver Richard Alston to halt Thunder's opening drive.

Running back Ian Smart got the Claymores back into scoring range on the Scots next possession, Hart converting a 29-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter.

 
Maurice Hick celebrates his first quarter touchdown
Nate Hybl was brought on to quarterback the second quarter and moved the Scots down to Berlin's one. But he couldn't convert the touchdown and it fell to Hart to add another three for the Claymores with a 23-yard field goal to make it 13-0.

Berlin tried to get into the game as the first half clock wound down, quarterback Rivers firing a deep pass to wide out Chas Gessner to put Thunder in scoring range, before crashing into the endzone himself on a four-yard quarterback draw.

Heinz Quast attempted to convert the PAT but it was blocked by cornerback Kahlil Carter and the half ended with the Scots 13-6 in front.

Berlin re-adjusted at the break mounting an effective attack to start the third quarter with Rivers finding wide receiver LaShaun Ward on a nine-yard touchdown strike to cap an eight-play scoring drive. Quast made no mistake with the extra point and the game was tied at 13-13 with 10:29 left in the third quarter.

Arth got the Claymores moving again but the drive stalled when Ron Bellamy couldn't hold on to a third down pass at the Thunder one. Hart put the Claymores back in front hitting a 35-yard field goal to make it 16-13.

 
Rob Hart kicks one of his four field goal
The momentum shifted Thunder's way when on the Claymores next possession Arth was sacked and stripped of the ball by Corey Smith. Offensive tackle Doug Kaufusi tried to pick up the loose ball but fumbled it into the endzone where it was recovered by Smith for a touchdown. Quast hit the PAT and Thunder took a 20-16 lead.

It went from bad to worse for Arth when he was picked off by Thunder cornerback James Thornton who returned it to the Scots 30. Rivers then connected with tight end Mike Pinkard on a 12-yard touchdown strike. Quast converted the extra point again and Berlin were in control at 27-16 with 7:26 left in the game.

The Claymores got back into it when Rob Hart hit a 43-yard field goal with five minutes remaining to pull the scores back to 27-19.

With less than two minutes remaining, the Claymores needed two scores as Arth tried to move the offense again. But a deep pass intended for Herb Haygood was broken up giving possession and the game to Thunder.



29 May, 04 | 10:16 pm

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