Scoring
Q1
7-0 Knights: #11 Ciaran Watson, 10 yard interception return. PAT (Paul McKillop)
14-0 Knights: #86 Paul McKillop, 13 yard reception from Adam Devenney. PAT (Paul McKillop)
Q2
21-0 Knights: #81 Matt Craig, 13 yard reception from #14 Adam Devenney. PAT (Paul McKillop)
28-0 Knights: #38 Chris Carson, 11 yard run. PAT (Paul McKillop)
Q4
30-0 Knights: #58 Duncan McCaughan, safety.
Video Highlights
Game Photos
Photos by Ariane Boudias
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Photos by Jonathan Beattie
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Game Report
Game Report by the Carrickfergus Knights
Game five of the Knights’ 2010 crusade took place a short gallop up the coast to Belfast’s Malone Road Rugby Club, where a vengeful Trojans side were looking to even the score on the season after suffering a loss in both teams’ opener eight weeks previous.
The home side started with the ball at mid-field following an impressive return on special teams but a third down fumble, Knights’ LB Duncan McCaughan popping the ball free for team mate DE Darren Montgomery to cover up, meant Carrick seized an early advantage.
Two tackles for a loss and an incomplete pass brought about a punting situation for Knights’ #86 Paul McKillop who capitalized on the short field, sailing the kick out at the Trojans’ 2 yard line.
Pinned on their own goal, the Trojans battled to find breathing room, trying to pound the ball out on the ground but lost another yard in the process. On 3rd down from the one, Knights’ CB Ciaran Watson picked off an over the middle pass, racing it back 10 yards and giving Carrick the early lead, 7-0 with #86 McKillop’s PAT.
Again the Trojans special teams brought the kick return out to mid-field but their offence was still misfiring with three incomplete passes culminating in a punt. #12 JB McDermott had a dazzling 35 yard return to set the Knights offence up with good field position. QB Adam Devenney, looking sharp on the series, completed five passes to three different receivers, the final pitch hooking up with WR Paul McKillop for a 13 yard score. McKillop then went on to make it 14-0 with a solid extra point.
Another 3 and out for the Trojans meant Carrick regained possession on their own 12 after a punt. The second period got under way with #14 Devenney still hot, connecting with both wide outs and threading a massive 24 yard post pattern to TE Trevor Gibson on 3rd and 11. Belfast’s defense then seemed to stiffen, holding HB Chris Carson to a 4 yard gain on 3rd and 9 but by jumping offside on the 4th down field goal attempt they gave QB Devenney the opportunity to toss a 13 yard score to #81 Matt Craig, taking the lead out to 21-0 with another PAT.
The Trojans started on their own 21 for the next drive but a frenzied Carrick defense seemed to be taking a firm hold of the game, claiming the ball for their offence once again by forcing yet another punt.
#88 Trevor Gibson hauled in a Devenney pass for 24 more yards as the Knights rumbled down the field with big gains on the ground as well, #38 Chris Carson breaking away for a 25 yard scamper before finishing the drive off with a surge to the end zone from the eleven. The PAT split the uprights taking the Knights lead out to 28-0 and the Carrick Defense smothered the rest of the half.
Knights #86 Paul McKillop returned the 2nd half kickoff 26 yards out to the 33 and the offence seemed to take over just where it had left off before the break, WR Matt Craig cradling a 27 yard laser from Devenney but the drive stalled on the Trojans 24 and a field goal attempt by PK McKillop sailed wide.
The Carrick D continued their dominating style from the first half and six plays into the Trojans 7th possession of the day Captain Spencer McDowell, after multiple deflected juggles, eventually came down with a wayward pass to let the Knights offence take the field once more.
Runs and passes were still gaining ground but a sack and a couple of penalties confronted the Knights with their second punt of the match, yet no problems bothered the flight of the ball on its way out of bounds at the Trojan 15.
Seven plays later Carrick got the ball back with the Trojans failing to convert on 4th and 8, gifting possession in the home side’s own half of the pitch.
#14 Devenney found his big targets in TE Trevor Gibson and WR Matt Craig giving them six and five catches respectively on the day, with both players earning over 70 yards each. HB Chris Carson also burned off an eleven yard run on the drive but the Trojans D kept the Knights out of the end zone in a impressive manor.
Belfast took over on the 5 only for Knights LB Duncan McCaughan to blast his way into the backfield and score on a safety that highlighted Carrick’s assertive Defense, shutting out the home team and capping the end result with a 2 point score. 30-0 Knights win.
With a tireless performance and a pick six to his credit, #11 Ciaran Watson embodied the spirit of the Defense on the day and won MVP honors. While on Offence, a 68% completion rate and over 220 yards passing with 2 TD’s is proof of a valued performance on paper, but the real proof comes from the votes of all the guys who realize the MVP was, without doubt, #14 Adam Devenney.