The Northern Conference was thrown into further confusion this weekend with this result. The Senators had previously seen off the Clyde Valley Hawks, who had in turn defeated the Tigers. The Tigers with this victory have kept the Conference wide open and somewhere, lurking in the wings and waiting for them all, are the Lancashire Wolverines.

The home side broke the deadlock in the first quarter with Scott Watson blasting in from two yards out. Andrew Burns booted the two point conversion to nudge the Tigers into an 8 – 0 advantage.

The Senators clawed their way back into contention in the second period when Scott Manuel wormed his way to pay dirt from four yards away. The conversion attempt failed, leaving the visitors only two points adrift at 8 – 6 and very much in the game. With the half time whistle drawing ever nearer, Watson emulated his earlier feat, ploughing his way to a score from seven yards. Once again the kick was unsuccessful, and the half closed with the Senators only 14 – 6 adrift in their first ever competitive away fixture.

The third period was one of stalemate, with both offenses failing to dent some determined and stubborn defense. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Gateshead side proved that they were not to be taken lightly. Wide receiver Ian Dover clawed in a forty yard pass to reduce the arrears but with the conversion once more failing the Senators still trailed 14 – 12 with time not on their side.

Both sides fought valiantly in a truly competitive tie but the Tigers recorded their opening win of the season, condemning the Senators to their first defeat.