Dundee Hurricanes American Football

Dundee Hurricanes 40 @ 0 Staffordshire Surge - Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Although they have only been promoted to the div this season the Canes have embarked on a 5 game unbeaten run and sit proudly on top at the half way stage. Sunday's game saw the Canes come out running and that coupled with a dominating defence made it a hard day for the Surge.
The first half was totally dominated by the Taysiders and four TDs from Mahamadou Niakate and a long catch from Blaine Robertson saw the Canes hold a commanding 32-0 lead at the break.
The second period saw the Surge show immense spirit and determination to hold the Canes to no score at the end of the third period.
The final period saw the visitors step up a gear and Mahamadou Niakate added a fifth rushing td and a 2 point conversion to seal the game for Dundee.

This was a great performance from the Dundee defence in holding a determined Surge attack to a scoreless day. It was also great to see everyone's progress with some fine performances from rookies on offense and defence. But star of the day was again to be Mahamadou Niakate who now has 1145 yards rushing after 5 games.

Dundee Remains On Top Of Division 1 North - Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Newly promoted Dundee Hurricanes returned victorious from a long journey in England to play the Redditch Arrows and remain at the top of Division 1 with a 22-12 victory.

The game started with both defences forcing their opponents to punt. Dundee however, was not to give up and drove the field on their next possession and Mahamadou (Dooma) Niakate put the first points on the board with a field goal. Dundee's defence was to step it up next when Fraser (Scrappy) Thomson intercepted the ball and returned it for 30 yards. On the following offensive series, it was Scrappy again who beat the safeties to catch a 40 yards TD pass from his older brother Bruce (BLT) Thomson. As half-time was approaching Dundee's defence intercepted a pass on their 5 yards line. HC Ross MacPherson decided to try adding more points and spread his receivers. BLT found Dooma opened down the sideline and with only the safety to beat a well needed touchdown was the result of the 85 yards foot race. With the extra point it was Hurricanes 15-0 Arrows at half time.

The Arrows came back strong in their first drive of the 2nd half as a 15 yards completion gave them their first 6 points. This was however short-lived as on their next possession Hurricanes' new QB Ben Edelshain connected with Blaine (Dish) Robertson to bring the ball inside the Arrows' red-zone. Dooma then ran over a couple of defenders as he was not to be denied his 2nd TD and extra-point of the day, making the score Canes 22-6 Arrows. The Arrows replied with a 64y TD reception from Kieron Mcloed to make the final score 22-12 to the visitors.

Dundee are facing the Staffordshire Surge next.

Dundee Hurricanes 65 South Yorkshire Mustangs 7 (part 1) - Monday, May 19, 2008
The Hurricanes sitting proudly at the top of Division 1 welcomed the Mustangs to Dawson today determined to avenge a heartbreaking 13-12 national semi defeat in 2004.

On the second play of the game Mahamadou Niakate burst through several tackles to open the scoring with a sensational 52 yard touchdown,he then duly added the extra point conversion to give the home side a early 7-0 lead.
Despite some great defence from Dundee they weren't to add to the score in the quarter and went in to the second quarter with a narrow lead. Early in the second period Fraser Thomson ran a Mustangs punt back from 46 yards to open the scoring to 13-0, Niakate again added the extra point conversion.

Dundee were now dominating with their ground game putting the taysiders in great field position but again the defence was to make the breakthrough with Thomson adding to his tally with a 25 yard interception return for a td, Niakate again adding the extra point.
This raised the tempo further and Niakate stormed through the Mustangs from 51 yards for his second score ,as expected he again added the extra point.

Dundee now seemed in total control and Niakate was to cap an outstanding half with a 29 yard td to increase the scoring to 34-0 he then surprisingly missed the extra point. Dundee went into the break with a lead that few would have predicted prior to the game.

Dundee Hurricanes 65 South Yorkshire Mustangs 7 (part 2)
The second half saw the Mustangs come out and attack Dundee seemingly determined to take something from this game this all out attack played into the strong Dundee defence and Danny Guy was to intercept and run back a td from 47 yards,Niakate added the extra point. Another mistake from the visitors saw Ross Kirton recover a fumble from 46 yards for his first score of the season. Dundee now held a sensational 47-0 lead and were attacking the Mustangs from all angles. Back up qb Ben Edelshian was now in the game and found Fraser Thomson with a 22 yard td pass,the score was now 53-0 at the end of the third quarter.

The beggining of the fourth quarter saw Thomson recover a fumble and send a lateral pass into comeback man Calum Buchans hands for a 7 yd touchdown.

The Mustangs then drove down field and were to get a conselation touchdown from close range. Thomson capped a fine day for him when he finished the scoring returning the kick off from 62 yars for his fourth score of the day and a 65-7 victory for Dundee.

Dundee in their first season in Division one sit with a 2-0 record having scored 98 points in the process. They now have three hard away trips starting with the Rams in Leeds on sunday.

Yorkshire Rams 12 @ 33 Dundee Hurricanes - Monday, April 21, 2008
The Hurricanes welcomed the Yorkshire Rams to Dawson Park on Sunday for the ‘Canes inaugural BAFL 1 game. The game started in beautiful sunshine but a chilly wind was making passing hard around the field so the ‘Canes reverted to what they do best and several powerful runs from Mahamadou Niakate and Lars Halford soon put the home side in the Rams half, Bruce Thomson then went to the air and connected with Darren Henderson for the historic first score Mahamadou Niakate added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. The teams then traded drives for the rest of the quarter with none of them finding the end zone.

The second quarter was all going the Rams way until GB star Fraser Thomson intercepted a pass and ran it back for a 52 yard touchdown. That was to be the only score of the half and the ‘Canes went into the half time break with a 13-0 lead.

Yorkshire came out after the break determined to narrow the lead and mid way through the quarter they drove up the field and powered there way into the end zone to narrow the deficit to 13-6,now there was a game to be played but there was no further score to be had in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the Rams determined to get back into the game but the ‘Canes were out to finish the visitors comeback. Mahamadou Niakate was showing his class by now and started to look like he would be the game winner, when he burst through from 24 yards to open the lead back to 19-6, he then added the extra point himself. Dundee now had a hold of the game and another Niakate touchdown this time from 3 yards seemed to make it mission impossible for the visitors. The Rams never gave up and got their second score of the day to narrow the score to 26-12. Niakate wasn't finished however and added a final touchdown and extra point to keep the win in Dundee at 33-12 to the ‘Canes.

Doncaster Mustangs @ Dawson Park on 18th May

Hurricanes Ready To Go!!! - Thursday, April 17, 2008
After the high of their first national final appearance in 2007 the Hurricanes have completed a long hard pre season in preparation for their inaugural BAFL1 campaign. When the Yorkshire Rams visit Dawson Park on Sunday it will be a historic game.
The coaching staff under the leadership of Director of Football Bruce Foster have recruited heavily and reshaped the squad for arguably the ‘Canes hardest season to date. Foster himself is due to leave Dundee soon for a new life in Australia and will hand over the reigns to ‘Canes legend Ross McPherson. The coaching staff was further boosted by the addition of Matteo Bersaconi from Milano Gladiators.
On the playing side there are 16 new signings and notable additions on defense are the likes of Steven Howe from Larencekirk and Jamie Charles from Edinburgh. Special teams coach Stewart Adam said, "I feel this is the strongest ever interior line to play in Dundee and I expect big things from this pair." The return to the game from long time injury of Danny Guy will also complement Fraser Thomson in the defensive backfield. On offense there are further additions who are all capable of contributing to the game but of course all eyes will once again be on French-British superstar, and four times winner of BAFL Player of the Week in 2007, Mahamadou (Dooma) Niakate.

Hurricanes on their way - Monday, March 24, 2008
After reaching the BAFL2 national final in 2007, Dundee Hurricanes return ready to disturb the order in BAFL1. Their hard pre-season training is reaching its end. The last test before their opening game of the season will be hosting the East Kilbride Pirates from the Premier division!
This scrimmage is taking place for the 3rd year running. The Canes will once more test their offence against the stingy Pirates' defense and fine tune their defence against great opposition.
The game will kick off at Dawson Park at 1.30pm on sunday 30th March 2008.