JAMES Hudson and Euan Rennie were two of the stand out performers for Highland Wildcats in a disappointing 47-15 defeat at Glasgow Tigers.
The Inverness-side had an early start to make the lunchtime kick-off but failed to repeat their 48-20 win against West Coast Trojans when they visited the city last Sunday.
Wildcats’ chances of making the play-offs this season may suffer from this defeat – their fourth of loss of the campaign.
Meanwhile, the hosts moved to second in the league with their third win in a row.
The Tigers scored more points in this game than they had in all their previous games this season combined.
Defence was on top in first quarter, but the Tigers broke the deadlock early in the second period. They missed their conversion chance but lead 6-0.
Wildcats responded instantly when Hudson got the ball on kick-off return and scored an 80-yard touchdown, thanks to some fancy footwork and strong blocking from his team mates.
Martin Devlin converted to put Wildcats ahead.
Tigers bounced back with a touchdown of their own, which was converted before Wildcats’ running back Anthony Walkine-Levy scored after a 40-yard run for the visitors.
Devlin had the opportunity to restore Wildcats’ lead but his kick was blocked and Tigers soon scored another touchdown, which was converted to take a 20-13 advantage into half-time.
Wildcats rallied but fell further behind in the third quarter with another Tigers touchdown, which they failed to convert.
Tigers built on their lead with another touchdown in the fourth, but their attempt to get extra points was stopped and the ball was retrieved by Rennie who ran the full length of the pitch for two extra points for the Wildcats.
With the game beyond them, Wildcats gave match time to some of their less experienced players and unfortunately lost another touchdown and conversion, which completed the scoring.
“It was a disappointing score line and showed we have some things to work on in training this Sunday,” said Wildcats head coach Brian MacRae.
“We need to iron out the inconsistency of our results and aim for four wins out of four in the games remaining this season, starting with the trip to Clyde Valley Blackhawks on 11th July.”
[Andy Dixon - Inverness Courier]
Victory Over Trojans
21 June 2010
RUNNING back Anthony Walkine-Levy led Highland Wildcats to a record 49-20 victory in Glasgow strengthening their bid for the championship play-offs.
It was their first senior league away victory, with their highest points tally of the season – scoring more than they did in all 10 of last season’s games.
Twenty-seven-year-old Walkine-Levy, who spoke exclusively to The Inverness Courier last week about his ambitions to lift the Wildcats from the bottom of the British American Football Association’s Division Two North.
The American insisted the Inverness side were in a false position at the bottom of the league and led by example in Sunday’s victory against West Coast Trojans.
The Wildcats, who were short on numbers and had players adopting multiple roles during the game, took the lead in the first quarter when Walkine-Levy scored a touchdown after a 50 yard run.
Scott Milligan’s conversion attempt was blocked, but he caught the rebound and ran over the line for two extra points.
Walkine-Levy, who rushed 385 yards during the game, might have extended the lead with and 80 yard touchdown but the play was called back for a penalty.
The Chicago-born player was not to be outdone, scoring a 55-yard touchdown which was converted by James Pyke to complete the quarter.
Milligan’s touchdown in the second quarter was the only score and secured a 22-0 advantage for the Wildcats at half-time.
Good defence kept out the Trojans with Euan Rennie being the leading sack taker with three tackles on the home side’s quarterback.
The hosts scored early after the break, indicating a fight back, but Wildcats rallied and a switching drive between Pyke and Walkine-Levy led to the American’s third touchdown, which was converted by Milligan.
Trojans scored two quickfire touchdowns before Darren MacDonald restored Wildcats superiority with a touchdown, converted again by Milligan.
Pyke topped off his impressive all-round display by scoring two touchdowns in the final quarter, with one converted by Milligan.
Wilcats’ quarterback Kenny Mackay deserved special mention for throwing more than 300 yards, including four passes for touchdowns.
“I’m very proud of all the boys who played strong offence and defence,” said Wildcats head coach Brian MacRae. “We showed what we can do when we play a whole game of football.
“We have Glasgow Tigers next week and will look to reproduce this form and make it three wins out of six for the season so far.”
