LANARKSHIRE'S brand new senior side, Clyde Valley Blackhawks, made a resounding step forward in their quest for full British League status.

They enjoyed an emphatic victory over fellow wannabee BAFL debutees, Cumbria Mariners. It was an intensely competitive game, entertaining and played in the right kind of spirit.

Things could not have gone any better for the Blackhawks organisation. They had excellent weather, a decent turnout of supporters on the sidelines and clocked up 30 unanswered points against the English visitors.

This was a Blackhawks side packed with players who had come through the ranks. Even though this was their first outing at senior level, they had the advantage of knowing how each other ticked.

The rest of the squad consisted of veteran senior players, who appeared to have discovered their second youth as they were back in the helmet and pads again. Against them was a Mariners side, who may need a lot of work in terms of technique, but more than looked the part in their first competitive game.

And despite the one sided score line, they fought to the bitter end and will no doubt have learned some valuable lessons for their return match against Clyde Valley in two weeks time.

The Mariners learnt an untimely lesson on their opening drive when they coughed up possession after just three plays, handing the Black Hawks excellent field position.

The visitors quickly found themselves on the back foot when Graeme MacMillan bounced off two tackles to be eventually stopped at the goal line. David Orr (snr) then bulldozed through a mass of bodies for the opening touchdown with David Orr (jnr) nailing the conversion attempt.

The Hawks extended their lead when the ball was dumped off to Tam Chapman, for an easy touchdown, which was converted once again by David Orr (jnr).

The Mariners drove up through the middle when a powerful return from Rodger Gambles, took the English up to halfway.

They appeared to have the Blackhawks under pressure for the first time.

But a tough stand off from Clyde Valley forced the visitors to try for a field goal, and Paul Flitton's kick was blocked.

The English side then tried their luck with another field goal attempt which once again hit a brick wall and ended an eventful first quarter.

The Blackhawks started well in the second period. A screen pass to MacMillan resulted in the receiver tearing up field with a terrific run all the way to the endzone, but the score was controversially chalked off.

Clyde Valley quarterback, Mark MacKenzie had the Cumbria rearguard in trouble again with a great pinpoint accurate pass to David Orr (Jnr) who hesitated to run home, giving the defensive backs time to deny him a clear run to the endzone.

MacKenzie then showed excellent composure, dumping the ball off to Gary Orr for another touchdown for the home side, which was converted for a 21-0 lead.

Tam Chapman then nailed a field goal for the Scots to give them 24 unanswered points going into the break.

Two more precision passes from the Blackhawks quarterback early in the third quarter, added more pressure to the Mariners when MacKenzie sent a long pass to Duncan Newman.

MacKenzie sent the ball over the head of the Mariners defensive back to Gary Orr for another six points for the Scots.

With the game beyond them, the English side had nothing to lose and stepped up their work rate and in their determination to take something from the game. Clyde Valley's Chapman was then well short of the target with a field goal attempt.

With no change in the scoring, the Mariners tried to go for one last big push during the final minutes of the game, with Rodger Gambles (one of the Mariners' best players on the day) was stopped just five yards short of the goal line.

The home side turned in a text book defensive display, pushing the English back towards their end of the field ending with Daniel Fielden being pummeled to the ground courtesy of a sack from Tam Chapman.

Coach Orr would like to thank everyone who contributed to the successful running of the game, especially the chain crew and ball boys.

(Report courtesy of Frank McGroarty of www.hot-iron.co.uk)