SCOTTISH CLAYMORES 34 |
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BERLIN THUNDER 17 |
OLYMPIC STADIUM SUNDAY 27th APRIL 2003 |
An important road game as the Claymores travelled to Berlin to try and even up their record but the day started badly as Burris led Thunder down the field and capped it off with a 24 yard screen pass to Allen to put the first points on the board. The Claymores first drive started with Nall getting sacked but he made a big third down play when he hooked up with Shepperd and two plays later Ken Simonton went off tackle and darted into the endzone from 30 yards out Berlin had a big play called back for offensive pass interference which led to a poor Berlin punt into the wind and the Claymores took over at the Thunder 40 yard line. Simonton took it on a sweep to the 26 then Minardi made a fine reception at the 14. Nall doubled the Claymores lead when he found Anthony Bright from 10 yards out at the back of the endzonr and Hart carried on his perfect streak of extra points. Stambaugh took over ay QB for Berlin and Kruse added a field goal to make it 14 to 10 Then excelelnt playcalling by the Claymores saw Hicks rip off a big gain and Malan picked up 11 on a third and 10 play. Hicks then scampered into the endzone but the play was called back for holding so Rob Hart booted a 32 yarder. Disaster struck when Harts kick off caught in the wind and Allan picked the ball up in stride and weaved back 74 yards to tie the scores at 17 apiece. The Claymores drive stalled but Stemkes punt was fumbled by the Berlin returner after Petersson thumped him and the Claymores recovered on the Berlin 12. Again the Thunder defense stood firm and Hart converted from 29 yards to leave the Claymores up by three at the half. A great kick off return by Chatman moved the ball to midfield and Simonton picked up a vital first down on 4th and 1 Nall then found Simonton with a swing pass and great blocking helped him scamper in from 23 yards out. Lockhart then intercepted Burris and Nall was then intercepted as the ball bounced off Couper's hands. A 50 yard field goal by Berlin was wiped off by a false start penalty and the Claymores defence held again. Michael Landry was creating havoc in the Thunder backfiled and sacked Burris then a fine Thunder punt put Nall on his own 6 yard line, a superb pump fake freed up McCready and Nall hit him on the right sideline.and he took it to the Berlin 42. Simonton rushed for another 13 yards then McReady and Nall hooked up again to place the ball on the 6. After a couple of runs were stuffed Shepherd snagged a 11yarder from Nall, Rob Hart converted again and that ended the scorinfg with the Claymores victorious. Much, uch better on both sides of the ball this week with Nall, Simonton and Malan outstanding and Michael Landry racking up 3.5 sacks on defense. On this performance we can look forward to the Dragons visiting Hampden next week!! |
