It is hard to assess what contributed most to the English Conference Champions victory. Their solid three back ground game was effective at times, while the Hawks' ability to shoot themselves in both feet and perhaps their knee caps too, certainly didn't help their cause in a game that was far closer than the score line will ever suggest.

The Scottish Conference runners up had the first chance to open the scoring when they recovered an Aztec fumble on the Bristol twenty-five only for them to get picked off in the end zone on third and five. A further exchange of possessions, both halted by penalties saw the end of a cagey first period.

A strong Bristol drive, saw them march down to the Clyde Valley three yard line where the Hawks stood firm and fought their way up field with a mixture of neat passes and determined running. They moved into Aztec territory before again stalling through a series of penalties to surrender the ball once more. This time the Aztecs made no mistake, grinding their way downfield before Eric Dune broke off right tackle, side stepped a couple of defenders and skipped into the corner of the end zone. A bad snap nullified the two extra point attempt as the West Country outfit claimed a slender 6 - 0 lead with the second quarter almost concluded. However, following a bizarre series of events the Hawks found themselves 12 - 0 adrift by the half. Forced to punt the Clyde Valley punter managed to scoop up a low snap that almost went through his legs. He side stepped the rush and booted the ball, only to see it cannon of the back of one of his team mates, arc through the air and land at the three yard line where it was flopped on by an Aztec defender. Owain Chambers snared the short pass to increase the lead, while Clyde Valley could only rue the way luck was deserting them.

The third quarter followed the pattern of the previous two. Greg Conroy for the Hawks stepped across to pick off an errant pass to kill the next Aztec drive and the Hawks nullified the next Bristol attempt forcing them to punt from the Clyde Valley thirty. Once again the Hawks miscued and it cost them dearly. Alex Taylor picking off the Hawks quarterback to return the ball untouched from twelve yards out. A two point barrel up the middle claimed the extra points as Bristol extended their lead to 20 - 0.

Both sides continued to move the ball before defenses stiffened as the game moved into the fourth. Any hopes of a revival by the Hawks were finally dashed when Eric Dune broke free up the middle, turned towards the right hand touchline and scampered in to score from forty-five yards out and give the Aztecs an unassailable 26 - 0 lead.

The Hawks can count themselves unlucky. There was little to choose between the two teams throughout the afternoon. The Aztecs on the other hand will not care, they achieved what they set out to achieve, to grind the opposition down with their powerhouse ground game and reach the championship game.