PIRATES OUTLAST LIONS TO TAKE THE WIN

The Lions lost to the West Sydney Pirates on Saturday night, 20-27. Three times the Lions came from behind to either tie or take the lead, but in the end couldn’t get the score to get the W.

The game was a dream start for the Pirates – on their third play a 41 yard TD strike and conversion to make it 0-7. Sydney Uni answered, with strong running by Chris Snagg and two 4^th down conversions to cap a 12 play drive with a Snagg TD and Erby conversion to make it 7-7.

On the next drive QB and Free Safety Anthony Sinton picked off a Pirates pass to set up an offensive drive – but then turned the ball over on an interception. The teams traded possessions – featuring a great interception by Craig ‘Nugget’ Morgan. Then the Pirates put together a quick strike drive – hitting a 24 yard TD to take a 7-13 lead. The Lions, with time running out in the half, drove deep into Pirates territory but came up inches short of the score.

At the beginning of the half the Lions offence, with Kiernan Dorney under centre, looked to make a statement. Under relentless pressure from the Pirate D, the Lions put together a 12 play scoring drive and Snagg punched it in. The conversion was good and the Lions had the lead, 14-13.

The lead didn’t last long. One play was all the Pirates needed for a pass and run that went for a 44 yard score. 14-20.

Again behind, the Lions drove 65 yards on the back of a Dorney strike to Mac Shine on a slant pass that went for 37 yards down to the ½ yard line. Two plays later Matt Croasdaile punched it. But when it came time to take the lead two conversion attempts – one coming after a defensive penalty – both missed. 20-20.

With time running out the Pirates drove to the Lions 25 and on 4^th & 14 took advantage of a blown coverage to throw the go ahead score. The Lions got one more chance with less than two minutes left. A play action pass had a man free on the sideline, but was incomplete. The next pass was intercepted and the Pirates won 20-27.

Coach Dunne said: ‘The Pirates took their chances and deserved the win. I hate to say it, but it looked like they wanted it more. I know mention has been made of the ‘streak’ ending, but we never spoke about that as a team. The Lions just look to play good football. Today we didn’t do enough of that and were beaten by the better team on the day.’

Pirates 27 def. Lions 20

23 September 2006

St George Hockey Centre, Kyeemagh

1Q WSP: Popovic 41 yd TD pass from Ward. Popovic PAT.   0:7

1Q SU:  Snagg TD run. Erby PAT.                         7:7

2Q WSP: McKillop 24 yd TD pass from Ward.               7:13

3Q SU:  Snagg TD run.                                  14:13

3Q WSP: Toskoski 44 yd TD pass from Ward. Popovic PAT  20:13

4Q SU:  Croasdaile 1yd TD run.                         20:20

4Q WSP: McKillop 25 yd TD pass from Ward. Popovic PAT  20:27