AMERICAN FOOTBALL
Victory over Livingston sets up Raptors for new season
Paisley’s only American football club enjoyed a winning conclusion to their pre-season preparations with a win in Livingston.
The Renfrewshire Raptors, a flag football side, are gearing up to compete in the British American Football Association following a transitional campaign which seen them add a number of new players over the off-season. Flag football is a simplified, non-contact version of the sport, with each side only fielding five players at a time.
The new- look Raptors’ season starts next month as they make the short trip to Glasgow for the season opener but the side have been cramming in as many friendlies as possible in the run up to the HNC Division One kicking-off.
The Raptors impressed in a doubleheader against the Grangemouth Colts and the West Lothian Chargers.
A narrow 12- 7 defeat at the hands of Grangemouth failed to get the afternoon off to a positive start. However, a running touchdown from rookie Greg Dalglish, who was later awarded gameday MVP, was the highlight as he raced through the entire Colts defence.
The disappointment of defeat didn’t last long however, as the Raptors put hosts West Lothian to the sword with relative ease in the second clash.
A pick six from the Raptors defence in the first drive of the game saw the Renfrewshire outfit stamp their authority on proceedings.
Two touchdowns from Jason Dale were added to by Grant Fraser, while a solid defensive performance was enough to secure a 25-12 victory.
Head coach Mark Peberdy was delighted with his side’s efforts as excitement builds for the first game of the season on Sunday, April 14.
He told Express Sport: “The whole point in arranging these friendlies was to give the new guys a taste of what to expect come the start of the season. Every single one of them stepped up to the mark – even in the first game – and there are plenty of positives to take.
“The club has never been in a better place and we are all excited about the direction the club is taking.”