Romans maintain 100% record as Clyde Valley asked for more

Chester Romans stole the march on Manchester Titans in the battle at the top of National Central in the game of weekend between the two undefeated sides, which saw the home side run out 30-14 victors.

The Romans chose to receive on kick off, running the ball onto the 40-yard line. Manchester’s defence was placed under immediate pressure, and resulted in an 80-yard touchdown run from Romans rookie, Ash Wainright (PAT – good) [7-0].

On the following kick return the Titans recovered the ball on their 1-yard line despite initial confusion between the Titans’ returners. Titans’ opening offensive drive saw veteran Romans safety, Nadgy Khirat, unleash a devastating tackle in the backfield resulting in a safety, and the Romans extended the lead to 9-0 at the end of the quarter.

Manchester could not get the ball moving against the Romans’ defence once again at the start of the second quarter, despite a drive that included 30 yards worth of penalties.

On the following Romans offensive drive, Michael Banks made an outstanding 65-yard touchdown run (PAT – good) [16-0]. A stalled Titans’ offence against a resolute defence that had still not conceded a point against an offence ranked the best in the division by a great number of onlookers.

Romans’ final drive of the half, after another outstanding run by Banks, Rory Mansfield made a miraculous catch over a Titans player from the 1-yard line to give his side yet another touchdown (PAT – good) [23-0] and after that play came the half time whistle.

After the break, Manchester Titans seemingly received a hairdryer treatment in the locker room, as they managed to get the ball into the end zone after a couple of successful runs right up the Romans’ defence (2PAT – good) [23-8].

Not wanting to let the Titans get carried away, Chester’s offence stepped up a gear as Michael Banks struck again after a blistering run after snatching a pass from Bradley Chilvers out of the air and to leave the pursuing Titan players in his wake (PAT – good) [30-8] after which unsuccessful drives ended the third quarter.

The final period of play had the pressure ramped up on the Titans, as the Romans’ defence unleashed some bone-crunching hits upon the opposition’s offence, including one from Tom Staples which gained a huge reaction from the watching crowds. The Titans did manage another touchdown, however the 2PAT was unsuccessful [30-14]. As the minutes ticked down the Romans ran out the clock until the final whistle sounded leaving the pre-game underdogs victorious as Manchester Titans lost their 100% record so far this season.

Defence MVP went to Ged Banks whilst his brother, Michael, won the Offence award.

The Romans have a few weeks rest now before the 9th June fixture against former Division 1 side, Merseyside Nighthawks.

Rob Jeffries

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Interim Clyde Valley coach Gareth Cowie has called on his team to improve despite a 31-14 victory against Dundee.

Cowie was appointed following the resignation of Gordon Lockhart last week and will take the reins for the rest of the season.

He said: “We were good, but we weren’t great and we can certainly do much better. I’m happy that we won, but the performance can improve. We could easily have scored another 20 or 30 points and the score wouldn’t have looked out of place.”

Following back-to-back defeats, during which time the team scored just seven points, the Blackhawks sent a clear message to the rest of the National League North with over 300 yards rushing, while restricting Dundee to just eight passing yards.

Graeme McMillan ran for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Gary Orr added the first receiving score of the year as the Blackhawks halted their losing streak at two games. Phil Moran also racked up 139 yards on the ground.

After a scoreless first quarter, Clyde Valley opened their account on a four yard run from McMillan. Moments later a Tam Chapman 35-yard interception return and a Richie Moore catch lead to a repeat as McMillan strolled in from four yards again to give the hosts a commanding 14-0 lead.

The Hurricanes matched their opponents with two quick scores of their own to tie the game at 14-14. The first came on a 47 yard run, while the second came after Moran turned the ball over on the one yard line and Blackhawks rookie cornerback Nicky Farrell also fumbled following an interception.

Clyde Valley regained the lead on Orr’s nine yard touchdown catch just before half-time.

Following the interval, the Blackhawks created some great chances but couldn’t take full advantage. Chapman added a field goal following a long drive which stalled in the red zone, while quarterback James Keogh threw an interception deep in Hurricanes territory.

In the fourth quarter, the Hawks extended the lead to 17 points after a 24-yard Moran run led to McMillan notching his third TD of the game to complete the scoring.

Cowie added: “Graeme might have scored three times, but he should have had five at least. He owes me two for the next game, as does Moran.”

Clyde Valley next play on 9th June with an away trip to Durham.

Callum Carson