Image from 2015 Varsity Game – J.L.Preece
A top of the table clash between the two Edinburgh teams lived up to its billing of Game of the Week. The favoured home team Predators were immediately put under pressure by the visiting Knights who converted a fake Punt and drove the ball to the opponents’ 6 yard line before a controversial fumble call gave the Predators a reprieve.
Whilst the Predators drove the ball well initially it was the Knights who opened the scoring after pounding the ball in from the 2yard line by Full Back Joe Walsh.
The Knights defence, who would pressure the opposition Quarterback Will Robertshaw all day, reaped the benefit of their attacking style as linebacker Ross Edwin and Defensive Tackle Zak Watson combined in a safety sack in the end zone to stretch the lead to 9-0 at the break.
A 3rd Quarter Field Goal by Meikle seemed to put the Knights in the comfort zone but a late Defensive score by the Predators Cassian Graham, who stripped the ball from Running Back Walsh and returned the ball 60 yards, put the Pred’s within touching distance of an unlikely win.
The subsequent onside kickoff was recovered by the Knights, however it would seem they would have to kick the ball away and give the Predators one last shot at a victory. Facing heavy defensive pressure the Knights called a gutsy fake punt for the second time in the game and Punter Meikle ran the ball in from 44 yards and sealed a 19-6 win that sees the Knights top the table as they head for the Christmas break.
Game MVP honours were given to Joe Walsh (offense); Scott Murray/Ross Edwin (defence); Brandon Meikle (special teams) and Team MVP for the third time in a row linebacker Long Hoang.
The teams will face again in the much anticipated and highly popular Varsity Game scheduled for Superbowl Sunday, February the 7th, at Meggetland Stadium Edinburgh.
Scorers:
1st Quarter: Edinburgh Napier Knights, 2yd TD run Joe Walsh, XPt Kick Brandon Meikle (7-0)
2nd Quarter: Edinburgh Napier Knights, QB Safety sack in End zone Ross Edwin & Zak Watson (9-0)
3rd Quarter: Edinburgh Napier Knights, 32yd Field Goal Brandon Meikle, (12-0)
4th Quarter Edinburgh Predators, 60yd Fumble Recovery TD Cassian Graham, XPt No Good (12-6)
4th Quarter: Edinburgh Napier Knights 44yd Fake Punt TD run Brandon Meikle, XPt Kick Brandon Meikle (19-6)
Final Score – Knights 19, Predators 6.
