EK Pirates host U.S team:
Touring college team a class apart in friendly match
For the third successive year, East Kilbride Pirates played host to a touring NCAA Division III college team from the US.
And this year’s visitors, ClaremontMudd-Scripps Stags from California, didn’t mess around as they ran out 73-6 winners in Saturday’s friendly.
The tourists kicked off and immediately pinned the Pirates inside their own 10-yard line.
From there EK gained just six yards before having to punt. It subsequently took the Stags just one play to open the scoring.
Quarterback Brenden Brown aired out a perfect spiral, hitting receiver Trey Smith in stride for a 46-yard touchdown. Mitch Allan’s PAT was blocked, but the tone for the day had been set.
A procession of Stags’ touchdowns followed throughout the next two periods and as the half drew towards its conclusion, CMS had built up a 59-0 lead.
When EK eventually stopped a drive, Jackson Zeledon’s 26-yard field goal attempt was unsuccessful.
The Pirates took over at their 20 and put together the best drive of the day. Two Neil Baptie – Kenny Muir completions gained 44 yards, and a pass to Stephen McCluskey added another 12.
A ‘roughing the passer’ call was tagged onto that play, taking the ball to the five-yard line. From there, Neil Baptie ran the ball home to put the Pirates on the scoreboard. Owen McCallum’s PAT was blocked, leaving the score 59-6 at the interval.
After the restart, a running clock was invoked at the agreement of both head coaches.
The Stags took their opening drive 49 yards on four plays before Brenden Brown carried the ball the final 11 yards to score and Allan duly converted.
East Kilbride’s next drive was halted by a Mac Cooney interception, but they soon had the ball back after CMS were forced into a rare punt.
Normal service was resumed on their next possession however, and they moved the ball to the Pirates’ threeyard line before Will Buckstaff notched his second TD of the day, with Allan’s conversion adding the final point of the contest.
Despite the heavy defeat, the day was enjoyed by the Pirates players and staff, who will benefit from the experience of competing at a much higher level than usual.
East Kilbride must now refocus on league business as they travel to Blackburn on Sunday, June 4 to face the Lancashire Wolverines.