While the Glasgow Tigers weren’t in action this weekend, the two games involving their NFC 1 North rivals had massive repercussions for the picture at both ends of the table.
Aberdeen Roughnecks 56 – 0 Gateshead Senators
The Senators, one of the longest established teams in the British game, have had a tough time of it this year. The Tigers racked up their biggest win of the season with a 42-0 victory away to Gateshead, and the side didn’t fare any better this weekend as they travelled to Aberdeen.
The Roughnecks – putting together an impressive season since their promotion from the NFC 2 – were already up 50-0 at half-time, adding an extra score in the second half to finish the game 56-0 in their favour.
While the win moves Aberdeen to within one game of the Tigers – the Glasgow side have played a game less – it also seals the fate of the Senators, who will be playing football in the NFC 2 next season after spending two seasons in the second flight.
While relegation caps a disappointing season for their senior side, the youth wing of the Senators have enjoyed success and with that pipeline in place the team will hope to put together a strong showing next year as they bid to bounce back.
Yorkshire Academy Rams 23 – 34 East Kilbride Pirates
Gateshead confirmed the team who will drop out of the NFC 1 North in their game – and East Kilbride continued their unbeaten run to guarantee play-off football.
The Pirates, who dropped down from the Premiership North last season, are putting together a strong bid to bounce straight back but Yorkshire – who went winless for the first two weeks of the season, including a 13-0 defeat against the Tigers – will continue to grow in confidence after their strong showing.
With only two games left to play this season, they may still climb up the table but regardless of their remaining results the Rams will look to build on the positive end to their campaign for next year – and avoid a repeat of their 2018 kick-off.
These results keep the Tigers in third place, as they get set to host second-placed side Northumberland Vikings this weekend. The result of that game could prove key come the end of the season. Make sure and follow the Tigers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest coverage throughout the rest of the 2019 season.
Main image credit to Billy Davies Photography and Prints.
