The hottest matchup of Week 1 featured Edinburgh Napier hosting Stirling as both sides turn over a blank page for the start of the season.
The teams finished last season in the top 2 of the Scottish Division and top 3 in the North overall. They faced off three times with Napier achieving the clean sweep in the series.
It was a rainy morning as the game kicked off at Sighthill Park, also known as the Swamp. The conditions favoured the local Knights, who are used to the slippery surface of the Swamp, compared to the pass-centric Clansmen who practice on turf.
The Knights took the ball to start, with a sustained drive up the field keeping the ball on the ground. QB Cameron Dunn punched in a 4yd run to open the scoring, and Aaron Steel kicked the PAT to put the Knights up 7-0.
The Clansmen struggled to get going on offense due to the wet conditions, as fumbled snaps killed the opening drive and gave Napier the ball back. The Knights drove up the field but came up short on 4th down to turn it over as the 1st quarter ended.
Stirling’s offense worked their way up the sodden field to start the 2nd, aided by several Napier penalties. A completion to TE Ben Grove gave the Clansmen some momentum but they were unable to capitalise with a score.
The lone score of the second quarter came for Napier on an 18yd run by Dunn, but the PAT was no good. The Knights’ ground and pound attack continued to wear down the Clansmen, whilst the Napier defensive line caused havoc for the Stirling QB.
Halftime arrived along with the sun, and the field dried up a little in time for the 2nd half. However, the weather didn’t improve Stirling’s execution, and the 3rd quarter was dominated by Napier. RB Archie Inglis exploded for a 55yd touchdown run, with Dunn adding the 2PAT.
The Knights continued to take advantage of the drier climate to get the passing game going. Dunn connected with rookie WR Ryan Courtney for a 36yd catch and run TD. The under-19 graduate made a big impression in his collegiate debut, cementing himself as a favoured target.
As the 4th quarter ticked down, fellow rookie Oscar Szambelan finished the scoring for the day with a 10yd touchdown reception. Aaron Steel booted the PAT through to make it 35-0. Szambelan, another under-19 grad, joined the team following a series with Team Scotland where he was a key contributor at TE.
Man of the Match Cameron Dunn said “Looking at the team we had going into the game, we felt confident. We expected to keep the steam rolling from last year. The score line didn’t represent how the game went in some ways – it should have been a lot higher.”
The Knights decisive shutout certainly sends a statement to the rest of the league that they are a playoff calibre team. They return to the Swamp this Sunday against Heriot-Watt University for a rematch of last year’s shootout.
Image c/o Mhairi Chambers
