At the close of yet another brutal season the Glasgow University Tigers ground out a tightly contested 14-14 tie with Northumbria University at the Scotstoun Stadium. The fixture saw a select side travel north from Newcastle to face a competitive but depleted Glaswegian outfit. The Tigers grouped together well, however, and rounded off another encouraging season with a characteristic display of well organised defence and constructive attack.
In spite of injuries the Tigers could still boast a range of their most seasoned veterans and, directed by quarterback Paul Kirkland, they began promisingly. Within ten minutes Glasgow were on the board as Californian import Grayson Lee ran in the first touchdown from a well worked move. Northumbria, a young side with obvious potential, were quick to fight back however, and within a matter of minutes had brought the scores level within an interception score.
The second half saw the visitors on the front foot, for the first time imposing their rangy wide receivers on proceedings. After five minutes they had scored another touchdown out wide when an inspired pass from Daniel Shearer found Brent Dirkson in the pocket. The visitors then promptly added a two point conversion to pull the score to 14-6 in their favour and, with little over five minutes to play, the signs looked ominous for Glasgow.
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The Tigers however are, by reputation, nothing if not belligerent, and would not be held back for long. With Kirkland pulling the strings the Tigers found themselves with territory and possession once more. No.12 Matt Norton received the ball in space and dived into the corner for a crucial score. Sensing a change of momentum and with one last chance to save the game running-back Ronald Gaffin scrambled home for the extra two points in the dying seconds to secure a draw.
Richard Fawcett, spokesman for the Tigers, was pleased with what had been ‘an interesting game’ and a fair result, although he admitted disappointment that a final win had just evaded them. Speaking to the Guardian he said ‘We’ve played against some of these Northumbrian players before and we know that, pound for pound, we have the beating of them. Nonetheless we all feel there are the makings of a strong squad here. It’s the ambition of everyone at the club to return the side to the heights we’ve scaled over the last decade.’
The club’s committee will now see to the preparations for next year’s campaign and the recruitment of a large crop of freshmen to fill the roster. American Football remains one of the most popular sports on campus, and, with a side that displays such gusto in tight games, it may not be long before Glasgow Uni have a squad to challenge in National competitions once more.
By Hamish Matheson
Glasgow 14 –14 Northumbria
