Scoring
Q1
0-7 Knights: #22 John Wright, 11 yard run. PAT (Paul McKillop).
6-7 Cowboys: #32 Keelan Walsh, 52 yard interception return. PAT missed.
6-14 Knights: #90 Spencer McDowell, 22 yard interception return. PAT (Paul McKillop).
Q2
6-20 Knights: #87 Josh Davis, 1 yard reception from Adam Devenney. PAT failed.
6-27 Knights: #38 Chris Carson, 2 yard run. PAT (Paul McKillop).
Q3
6-34 Knights: #38 Chris Carson, 55 yard run. PAT (Paul McKillop).
6-41 Knights: #90 Spencer McDowell, 67 yard interception return. PAT (Paul McKillop).
Q4
8-41 Cowboys: #75, Safety.
14-41 Cowboys: #34 John Murray, 9 yard run. PAT blocked.
14-48 Knights: #38 Chris Carson, 55 yard run. PAT (Paul McKillop).
Video Highlights
Game Photos
All photos by Ariane Boudias
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Game Report
Game Report by the Carrickfergus Knights
Malone Road rugby club was the venue for an IAFL double header day in which the Carrickfergus Knights were to host the Craigavon Cowboys in their second head to head of the 2010 season.
The Cowboys got the game underway receiving the opening kick off but a fumble on the second down of play saw Knights’ DB Chris Davidson come up with the ball. Carrick drove 56 yards down field behind the strong running of HB John Wright who slashed his way into the end zone from the 11 yard line. 7-0 Knights with Paul McKillop’s PAT conversion.
Craigavon went three-and-out on the following drive, punting to the Knights’ 28. Carrick gained a first down through a Cowboys’ offside penalty on 3rd and short but Craigavon picked off a pass on the next play and returned it 52 yards for a TD. No extra point meant it was 7-6 in favour of the Knights.
The Cowboys’ D continued to play well forcing another punt on the Knights’ next drive, however, it was Carrick’s turn to take an interception to the house when defensive captain, Spencer McDowell, claimed a second down pass, taking the Knights’ early lead to 14-6 after McKillop’s extra point kick.
The 2nd quarter got going with the ensuing kick off but Craigavon’s turnover woes continued to haunt them. On the third play of the series, Knights’ LB Spencer McDowell covered up a loose ball on the ‘Boys 14 yard line. Five plays later, QB Adam Devenney tossed a score to rookie wide out Josh Davidson and although the conversion failed the Knights took a commanding 20-6 lead.
Craigavon started the next drive on their own 35 and made it all the way to the Carrick 10 with a massive 45 yard bomb down the right hand side line but couldn’t penetrate the Knights’ goal. On 4th down the Cowboys had a field goal attempt blocked, #32 Chris Davidson there to recover and return the bouncing ball 15 yards for Carrickfergus. An 18 yard completion to JB McDermott and a 38 yard scamper by HB Chris Carson meant Carrick were threatening once more. Two plays later #38 Chris Carson carried the ball in and, with kicker Paul McKillop making the PAT, it was 27-6, Knights.
The ‘Boys were moving the chains on their next possession until a bad exchange meant the ball was loose once more for who else but #90 Spencer McDowell to fall on. The Knights’ offense ran out the clock taking the game to halftime.
Carrick took the second half kick off out to their 30 and found themselves in the end zone one play later after HB Chris Carson burned off a 55 yard run on 1st down. 34-6 Knights extended the lead with McKillop’s kick added on.
The Carrickfergus defense kept applying pressure on the Cowboys’ passing game and although a 12 yard sack was negated by a penalty, two plays later LB Spencer McDowell hauled in his second pick of the day and repeated his earlier feat of taking it all the way for a score, this time from 67 yards out. #86, McKillop, split the uprights for a 41-6 lead.
Starting at their own 33, Craigavon drove inside the Knights’ red zone but failed to convert on a long 4th down attempt. The ‘Boys defence stiffened and forced a punt from the Knights succeeding possession but on the first play of getting the ball back, a deep Craigavon pass, Carrick’s #32, Chris Davidson, intercepted on his own 1 yard line. Smelling blood, the Cowboys’ D put on a full rush and sacked the Knights in the end zone for a 2 point safety, 41-8.
The ‘Boys from Brownlow were inspired by their defensive score and getting the ball back with a free kick, drove all the way down field in a determined fashion going 63 yards in 7 plays, punching the ball in for a touchdown. With the extra point blocked the score went to 41-14.
JB McDermott returned the following kick off 11 yards to the Knights’ 35 before HB Chris Carson, in what seemed a carbon copy of the opening play of the second half, blazed 55 yards and over the goal line for his third TD of the day. Paul McKillop tacked on 1 more PAT and rounded off the scoring making it 48-14 in favour of the Knights.
There could be no doubt in the MVP performances of the day, together putting 30 points on the board. Offensive honours go to HB/LB Chris ‘Ironhorse’ Carson while the Defensive award is rightfully #90’s, defensive captain, Spencer ‘Ball Magnet’ McDowell.