Scottish Claymores - American Football in Scotland

Claymores fall to Thunder

Scottish Claymores 14
Berlin Thunder 20

THE Claymores hopes of a winning start to their 10th Season in NFL Europe League were washed away in Berlin, Sunday, as Jack Bicknell's team went down 20-14 to Berlin Thunder in torrential rain at the Olympic Stadium.


 
Tight End Marcus Helfman celebrates his second quarter touchdown to give the Scots the lead

Bicknell had hoped to record his 60th NFL Europe career win taking charge of the Claymores for the first time, however, Thunder's New England Patriots allocated quarterback Rohan Davey and backup David Rivers put paid to any Scots celebration leading Berlin to their first opening day victory in team history.

Cowboy Jack's team went behind 20-7 in the third quarter but showed some true grit getting back into the game at 20-14 thanks to a spectacular diving catch in the endzone from former New England Patriots wide receiver Scott McCready in the fourth. However, it was too little too late for the Claymores as Berlin held on for the big home win.

After the rain-sodden game, Bicknell, said: "While I am disappointed that we came out on the losing side today, I'm proud of the way the team played. I stand by what I have been saying all along: our team is getting better and will continue to improve.

"When all is said and done we are going to be a team that can compete. A number of plays in today's game did not go our way. The conditions late in the game today made it tough for us to come back, but I'm proud of the way our players did try and get back into the game."

And Bicknell added: " I think we can take a lot from this game and go on to make the improvements we need to make. I can't fault our players on the effort they put in but I also have to give a lot of credit to Berlin and the way they played."

It was a scrappy first half for both teams as the Claymores were led out by Cleveland Browns allocated quarterback Nate Hybl.

The Scots had the first chance to go ahead after Thunder rusher Ray Jackson fumbled at the Berlin 35 - Alphonso Roundtree coming up with the ball for the Scots. However, Mark Jensen pulled his 45-yard attempt wide left.

 
Maurice Hicks evades a tackler to gain extra yardage
Berlin also had a chance to get on the scoreboard early after Rohan Davey drove them to the Claymores 10, however, Thunders's Dallas Cowboys' allocated kicker Jonathan Ruffin missed from 17 yards and the first quarter of action ended scoreless.

The Claymores exploded into life at the start of the second quarter with Detroit Lions allocated quarterback Curt Anes coming into the game.

Anes completed big passes to Scott McCready and Marcus Helfman - and combined with strong rushing from Maurice Hicks - moving the Scots deep into Thunder territory.

Anes linked up with the San Francisco 49ers allocated tight end again - this time on a 10-yard touchdown pass, to open the Claymores scoring. Rob Hart kicked the point after and the Claymores led 7-0 with 8:42 to play in the second.

Kicker Ruffin responded for Thunder nailing a 37-yards field goal with 2:16 left in the half to make it 7-3.

The Claymores got the ball back - but not for long - as Anes' pass to running back Ian Smith was tipped and intercepted by Thunder cornerback James Thornton.

Berlin backup quarterback Rivers took advantage of the turnover two plays later, connecting on a 12-yard touchdown pass to New England Patriots wide receiver Chas Gessner. Local kicker Heinz Quast made sure of the point after and Thunder led 10-7 at the end of the first half.

 
Nate Hybl launches a pass on the run against Berlin
Quarterback Rohan Davey returned to power the Thunder at the start of the second half, driving them into scoring range before scrambling into the endzone himself on a six-yard keeper. Quast was good with the extra point and Berlin led 17-7 with 8:08 to play in the third quarter.

Kicker Ruffin extended Thunder's lead further at the start of the fourth quarter connecting on a 43-yard field goal attempt to give Berlin a commanding 20-7 lead with 11 minutes to play.

The Claymores weren't dead though as Hybl calmly moved the Scots into Thunder territory. And McCready resurrected the Scots hopes when he made a spectacular diving catch in the end zone after a Hybl pass was tipped at the goal-line. Hart converted the PAT and the Claymores were back in the game 20-14 down with five minutes remaining.

Berlin couldn't add to their lead and were forced to punt handing the ball back to the Claymores at their 20. Hybl then drove the Scots down to midfield, but the Claymores comeback was washed away by the Thunder defense who stopped the Scots on fourth down with 1:30 to play.

The Claymores have a chance to level their record at 1-1 next week when they travel to Germany again, this time to face Rhein Fire at the Arena AufSChalke in Gelsenkirchen.





05 Apr, 04 | 8:05 am

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