Invergordon American football club Highland Stags do themselves proud in British final
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Highland Stags were narrowly defeated in the British American Football Association Division Two National Final as they were beaten 17–7 by Bristol Apache in London.
The Invergordon outfit who were crowned Division Two North champions and progressed to the national final, took the lead when Kyle Cocker received a pass from quarter back James Hudson in the end zone in the first quarter.
The Stags defence held firm in the first half, with Bristol only managing a field goal from James Baines to narrow the gap before half time with the score at 7–3.
Bristol took the lead in the third quarter when Bristol quarterback Fen Trudgian was able to run the ball into the endzone to give his side the lead.
Ed Green made The Apache’s position unassailable in the fourth quarter – scoring a three-yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 10 points.
Highland Stags general manager Tom Hutchison says while it was a disappointing result, was proud of his team putting up an excellent fight in a national final.
“It was certainly a great experience to play in a national final.
“To play against the best team we have faced also added to the experience.
“Bristol were undefeated coming into the final and we gave them as good as we got, we gave it our all to try and get the win.
“But Bristol are a fantastic team and they got the win, we have no regrets.”
Highland Stags are still promoted to Division One after a fantastic season winning Division Two North at a canter beating the top teams in Scotland.
They defeated Scunthorpe Alphas 18–8 in the semi final held at Invergordon to reach the national final where they suffered defeat against Bristol Apache.
Hutchison says the club have progressed well over the course of the season and is looking to continue developing next season.
“Hopefully we will continue to build our progress and in the Highland region get people to know who we are.
“We will loom to build our team and grow our fans, we have put a lot of work into publicising our club.
“Hopefully that will encourage people to take the sport up. We are a team led team, we are a community and a family, it is more than a game to us and that is what we want to promote.”
