The annual ‘varsity American Football game between Edinburgh Napier Knights and Edinburgh University Mavericks went down to the wire before the latter retained the trophy with a 14-6 win at Meggetland.
The 12th instalment attracted a bumper crowd with many claiming that a midweek date under floodlights and with free entry for under-16s had re-energised the fixture.
The Knights provided the Mavericks with early scoring opportunities including two turnovers deep in their own territory on their opening series. Game MVP A.J.Rushing opened the scoring with a three yard dive to create a 6-0 lead.
Napier hauled themselves back into the game as rookie running back Archie Inglis ripped off a dazzling 72 yard touchdown run that had the crowd on their feet.
Approaching half-time it looked like the Knights would kneel out the clock but instead opted for a daring pass to try to catch their opponents out. Unfortunately for them the plan backfired as Napier quarterback Aritz Araoz was intercepted and Alexander Duncan ran the ball home from 23 yards and a 14-6 lead for the Mavericks.
With time running out the Knights launched an all or nothing 30-yard pass from Araoz that cruelly slipped through the hands of wide receiver Lucas Armes and left their supporters lamenting what could have been.
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