Pirates are sunk by Hawks
Slow start causes them problems
A second successive dismal performance from the East Kilbride Pirates sees them drop out of a play-off position and leaves them with a mountain to climb if they are to have any chance of post-season action.
Pirates lost 45-14 at home to Merseyside Nighthawks on Sunday.
Once again the Pirates were slow out of the blocks and failed to make much progress before punting.
The Nighthawks on the other hand moved straight into top gear and soon had their noses in front.
After moving the ball to the Pirates’ eight-yard line, quarterback Ben Robinson passed to Harry Routledge for the touchdown and Alex Eager added the extra point.
The home side bounced back from the early setback, however, and just six plays later Neil Baptie found Craig Black from 15 yards.
Steven Kane converted to level the scores at 7-7.
Merseyside weren’t about to be outdone and they also capped a sixplay drive with another RobinsonRoutledge connection for a 35-yard TD and, although Eager’s kick hit the upright, they now had an advantage that they wouldn’t give up.
On the first play of the second quarter, Robinson added his third TD pass when he connected with Liam Holebrook from 40 yards and Eager converted.
His fourth TD came later in the period when he passed to Dominic Woo from the Pirates’ 10-yard line. Eager again converted leavingthe home side trailing 27-7 at the half.
While the Pirates did improve after the break, they were still unable to close down the potent Merseyside attack.
There were third quarter rushing TDs for Woo (seven yards) and James Sutherland (77 yards), neither of which were converted, before Pirates got their second TD of the day.
Baptie kept the ball to run in from the one-yard line and Kane added the extra point to leave the score at 39-14 going into the final quarter.
Early in the period, Robinson ran in the final TD from two yards out.
Both teams then gave playing time to squad players to see out the contest.
This comfortable win for Merseyside leaves East Kilbride with a lot of issues to address before their next game.
However, it doesn’t get any easier for the Pirates as next up is the return fixture against division leaders, Tamworth Phoenix on Sunday, July 9.
Kick-off is at 2.30pm at Hamilton Rugby Club.