Doncaster Mustangs 0 - 36 West Coast Trojans
The West Coast Trojans took the field at their new base in Renfrew on Sunday with only one thing on their minds, to send out a message to their BAFL 1 rivals that they have set their sights firmly on marching all they way back to Sheffield for this years finals.
On the day it was a real team performance as the Trojans shone on defense, offense and special teams after dusting off some early season cobwebs.
The Mustangs won the toss and elected to receive, looking to test the Trojans revered defense early on, but on third down the Trojans forced and recovered a fumble giving possession of the ball to recently signed quarterback Jim “TJ” Adams inside the Mustangs red-zone.
Two plays later the ever deadly running of Trojans stalwart Jordan Falconer put the home sides first points of the season on the board. The two point conversion was unsuccessful.
Following the kick-off Doncaster took over at their own 27 yard line, but after two failed downs Trojans linebacker Bob Lynch nailed the runner deep in the backfield for a loss forcing the visitors to punt.
On the next series the Trojans offense struggled to find any rhythm going three and out, but a fumbled first possession from the Mustangs again gave the Trojans new quarterback the ball and excellent field position from which to mount his next attack. Adams immediately took the Trojans back to the run, with Falconer moving well behind solid blocking, to move the pigskin eight yards closer to pay dirt. However following a four yard gain by the young West Coast triggerman a series of penalties ensued forcing the home side back beyond the Mustangs 20 yard line, Adams handed off to Falconer once again and the ex-team Europe star obliged weaving twenty nine yards up midfield to the Mustangs four yard line to give the Trojans fourth and goal, Adams was unable hit a receiver and the ball changed possession.
Respite for Doncaster was short-lived as yet again the standout Trojans defense led by the strong blitzing from linebacker Scott McMenemy forced them to punt. This time it was American wideout / returner Dave Pasnic who orchestrated a sixty yard return for the score and then snared the two point conversion, to see the home sides lead extend to 14 – 0.
Sensing they needed to make something happen quickly Doncaster put together a twenty six yard gain up the middle for good field position, but on a crucial third down, Trojans 2006 Rookie of the year cornerback Brian McFerran laid a monster hit on the Mustangs wide-out as he tried to reel in the ball and once again Doncaster had to punt as the half expired, with the Trojans going into the interval 14 unanswered points to the good.
The Trojans returned the second half kick off all the way to the Mustangs thirty yard line, but an uncharacteristic fumble from Falconer gave the visitors a chance to get something going – but any half time Doncaster re-thinks were short lived as the Trojans defense went straight back to business, regaining the ball for Jim Adams and their offense, who were by now settling nicely into the game and growing in confidence.
Adams called a trips left formation, moving Falconer out from his normal backfield position and again the versatile running back showed how much of a threat he is snaring a forty two yard bullet from the lethal arm of Adams to extend the Trojans lead to 20 points.
The Mustangs offense were clearly running out of ideas and finding great difficulty breaching the rampant Trojans defense and as the game moved into the final quarter the Trojans offense continued their dominance when behind some solid offensive line protection Adams again aired it out to US import Pasnic for a touchdown, the following 2 point conversion to make it an unassailable 28 – 0 lead for the home side.
As time expired the Mustangs tried desperately to break their duck, but a fumbled kick off return forced by Trojans cornerback Mike Rankin was recovered by the lightning fast reactions of McFerran, giving Jim Adams a further chance to extend his sides lead from the Doncaster forty yard line.
Adams immediately handed off to Falconer who obliged with a great weaving run, evading some tired Mustang tacklers for his hat trick score of the afternoon, following up with the two point conversion to finish the scoring at 36 – 0 for the Trojans and send a message to BAFL 1 that the Scots mean business.
Thrilled with his first start as a Trojan Jim Adams commented, “It was great to finally get the season underway and overall I was delighted with our performance on offense. We have introduced a new offensive system this off season, so there were a few teething problems, but I had great protection from my offensive line and we have some standout skilled players for me to work with, so I have plenty of options.” On his defense the young quarterback commented, “coming here I knew the Trojans defense were feared throughout the league and they were awesome today, giving our offense great opportunities to do what we do best.”
Player / Head Coach Gary McNey was also delighted, “It has been a busy off season for us, relocating to Renfrew and changing our offensive and defensive systems. Overall I’m pleased with our performance as a team and I know there is a lot more to come as the guys become more comfortable with the new schemes.” He went on, “we also need to thank our new conditioning coach Brian McManus, who has really been pushing the guys to the limit at our team sponsors St Mirren Gym, even in the forth quarter we were still very fresh and that was one of our goals as we progressed up the divisions – to ensure we were as effective in the final part of the game as we were at the beginning of it.”
Game pictures: Iain MacIntosh http://www.imacimages.co.uk/