Longhorns show improvement in defeat down south
Lanarkshire Longhorns showed they’re headed in the right direction despite a 19 -12 loss to Gateshead Senators on Sunday. After a 32-6 defeat in the same fixture last season, the 2012 Longhorns provided the Tyneside team with a more closely contested match this time around.
The Longhorns took first possession but had to punt to Gateshead who then put together a decent drive ending with a fumble which was recovered by Longhorns rookie Chris Jones. After another punt Gateshead brought the ball down to the Lanarkshire red zone to finish the first quarter. The second opened with the Senators going for the score and despite some strong defensive resistance they ran in the first TD on 3rd down, the PAT blocked to keep the score at 6-0 Gateshead. After a long kick off Lanarkshire started the next drive on their own 20. A short run from Andy Reid gained 3 yards, but on the next play Gateshead intercepted an attempted pass to run in their second TD of the day. A PAT pass attempt fell incomplete to leave the score at 12 – 0.
Longhorns QB Nicky Farrell then stepped in for Alistair Sidey, but couldn’t make any progress and possession returned to the Senators. The Lanarkshire defence then stepped up to mark with some strong hits from Matt McCallum and Craig Samuel limiting the Senators next drive and momentum started to move towards the Lanarkshire side. Farrell led a 67 yard drive with assistance from Samuel and Reid, combining run and pass plays to finish off with a 5 yard TD run from Farrell to bring the score back to 12 – 6 before HT. Andy Reid could have made it 12-7 but for a freak PAT attempt which bounced between both posts before landing back in the endzone incomplete.
The 3rd quarter saw both teams offences make decent progress but staunch defending on both sides preventing any further scores, then with the Senators opening the 4th on the Longhorns 11 yard line they made the most of this position with a pass TD and PAT to forge a 13 point advantage. Farrell had to lead another couple of decent drives, rookies Anthony Rice and Scott Marshall stepping up with some key receptions, and HC Graeme Clee going for a 4 and 3 gamble which paid off to keep the drive alive. Farrell ran in a second score for the Longhorns but couldn’t connect on a 2pt pass attempt to Reid bringing the score to 19-12.
Another brave play call saw Steven Mooney recover an on-side KO to keep the ball with the Longhorns with only a few minutes remaining. Despite another drive into the Senators redzone the Longhorns couldn’t get the final score to tie the game, Farrell throwing an interception on 3rd and goal with seconds to go leaving the Senators with a 19 – 12 result.
A disappointing outcome for the Lanarkshire team, but a clear indicator that they will be more competitive in this year’s league competition. Next week the Longhorns have another trip south when they visit Leeds Bobcats, hoping to repeat last year’s performance where they came away with a 15-8 win under their belts!
