SCOTTISH CLAYMORES      31
@
AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS     20
AMSTERDAM ARENA  SATURDAY 24TH MAY 2003
With each game virtually becoming a play off game both of these teams knew that a defeat would knock them out of World Bowl running. Hart kicked off and the Admirals moved the ball well before stalling midway inside the Scots half and  punted it away.
The first play of the game for the Claymores almost ended in disaster as Nall fumbled the ball from the snap but Trafford dived on it to retain posession. A good mix of runs featuring Simonton, Hicks and Malan and passes to Minardi put the Claymores on the Admirals 34 yard line. Nall then found Malan who made a couple of defenders miss and rumbled into the endzone for his first TD of the season, the celebrations were halted for a minute as a flag was down...happily for the Claymores it was waved off and Hart nailed the extra point.
The Admirals shot themselves in the foot on the ensuing drive with stupid penalties and punted away again. The Claymores took over on their 26 and Nall marched them down the field again hitting Bright and Kent for big gains. A superb catch and run by Shepherd put the ball on the Amsterdam one yard line, then Simonton swept in on the right for his seventh touchdown of the season tying a team record. Hart again booted the PAT through and the Claymores were up by 14.
The Admirals moved the ball through the air on their next drive but had to settle for a 40 yard O'Donnell Field Goal.
A pass interference on the Claymores next drive when Bright was bumped going for a Nall bomb moved the chains and they moved the ball to the Amsterdam 3. On third and goal, Nall faked a handoff, rolled right and threw back left to a wide open Malan who caught the ball in isolation for his second TD of the game...and the season. Hard again was perfect with the extra point.
With the first half winding down Amsterdam executed a perfect two minute drill and capped it when Hill  floated a pass to Skaggs in the back of the endzone.
With just over a minute remaining a fine return by Simonton put the ball on the Scots 40, Minardi and Kent moved the ball inside the Admirals red zone but a sack on Nall moved them back. Rob Hart converted on a 28 yard Field Goal to make the score at the half 24-10 for the vistors.
Another fine drive engineered by Nall at the start of the third quarter put the Claymores in scoring range again but a botched snap on the Field Goal attempt turned the ball back to the Admirals.
After a couple of changes of posession Hill fired the ball to Hachette but Harper intercepted him at the Claymores 1 yard line and returned it 17 yards.
The Claymores went three and out and Amsterdam took advantage shredding the Claymores defence and scoring when Hill found Collins for a 1 yard TD. Again the Claymores struggled to move the ball and punted, Amsterdam came roaring back but the Defense stepped up and forced the Admirals to settle for a Field Goal and take the score to 24-20.
Under incredible pressure Nall hit Trafford, and Simonton found gaping holes to move the ball and eat up the clock taking the ball to the Amsterdam 4. After a small loss Nall hit Trafford for a 5 yard Touchdown with Hart again adding the PAT.
Inside the two minute warning and Amsterdam started to move the ball up the field but the game was over when Carter picked off Hill deep in Claymores territory and Nall took a knee to end it.
Another great performance in a hostile ArenA, Craig Nall was fantastic passing for over 300yards and three touchdowns. Credit also to the defense who stepped up when it counted, and the Offensive line who gave Nall great protection and opened holes for the runners.
The Claymores bandwagon rumbles into Barcelona next week with again, a win is a must, if they can repeat this form in Spain, then a appearance at the World Bowl is a distinct possibility.