3rd April 2005 BSL Division One Gateshead Senators 25-14 East Kilbride Pirates Pete Rogers' first start as Senators' quarterback saw Duncan French score four touchdowns as Gateshead opened their 2005 season with an emphatic 25-14 home win over Scottish powerhouse East Kilbride Pirates. With his kicking boots on, Pete Rogers kicked off for the Senators which resulted as so often in a touchback. Pirates' quarterback Lee Fraser, the former Senators' QB, was picked off but the Senators lost the chance to capitalise when the ball was fumbled on the Pirates' 10 yard line and recovered by the Scots. The Senators' defense held firm and East Kilbride had to punt, with the Senators starting their next possession on the Pirates' 35 yard line. The Gateshead 'O' line then sprung Duncan French free for a 23 yard TD run to open the scoring. The two point attempt failed leaving the score at the end of the first quarter 6-0 to the home team. The Gateshead 'D' got the ball back for the Senators and after Richard Green's superb 59 yard catch from Pete Rogers, Dr. Duncan French went in from 4 yards to double the score. Once again though the 2 point option was batted away by the Pirates' defense. Gateshead forced East Kilbride to punt, but the Scottish defense returned the favour with Gary Marshall punting back to the Pirates. Matt McCusker broke the plane with a one yard lunge to put the Scots on the scoreboard. The Senators defense thwarted the two point attempt. The Senators' next drive ended when Pete Rogers was intercepted by Ross Templeton, but the favour was returned when Matt McCusker, now at quarterback for east Kilbride, was intercepted by Charlie Heathcote. The first half ended with the 12-6 scoreline. After the break, Ed Morgan got the Senators fired up with a 56 yard punt return, Gateshead making good use of the field position with a scoring capped by Duncan French's 1 yard scoring run. Pete Rogers kicked the extra point to bring the score to 19-6. Matt McCusker was again intercepted, this time by Richie Cowell, and Gateshead took full advantage when excellent blocking freed Duncan French for a 69 yard scoring sprint to close the third quarter 25-6. The dominant Senators were in celebratory mood, and started to relax too early, only to be given a sharp reminder that it's only the final whistle that counts when McCusker connected with a wide open David Mooney who went all the way for the touchdown to bring the score to 25-12. The Pirates took advantage when Jonathan Chilton caught McCusker's two point throw to bring the score to 25-14. With time running short, the Scots tried an onside kick but Gateshead took possession. East Kilbride had one more drive, but the Senators' defense was now once more alert and the score remained 25-14 at the end. This is an excellent start for the Senators season, as they had not been able to arrange any pre season action. Pete Rogers remarked, "It's going to get better!". He has certainly made a good start which can only impress the GB Lions coaches when he tries out for the national team later this month.