The Doncaster Mustangs opened their British American Football League Division 1A campaign with an 18-0 victory at Nottingham.

Power back Paul Tiggardine broke the deadlock in the third quarter before quarterback Graham Lightfoot dashed in on the ground.

A commanding defensive performance was underlined with Ian McCartney's interception return for six points in the closing stages.

The first-half turned into a battle of field position with lineman Brian Long excelling in his new role as punter and McCartney, playing at cornerback for the first time in green and gold, collecting his first interception.

Doncaster started the second-half brightly and an 11-play 61-yard drive culminated in Tiggardine dashing into the end zone from 13 yards.

The PAT from Dave Oakley was blocked and it took until there was under seven minutes left on the clock until the visitors extended their advantage.

A 22-yard Tiggardine run was the highlight of a 14-play 85-yard drive that ended when Lightfoot scampered into the end zone from three yards out on a bootleg. The subsequent two-point conversion was stymied.


Mustangs RB Giovanni Viscomi on the charge

Quixotic American Juan Jasso then collected his first interception of the season before McCartney rounded things off in spectacular fashion against his former club.

He made his second interception of the game and scampered 43 yards into the end zone for the first defensive touchdown in club history.

The new defensive coaching staff will be delighted by the performance of the line, whose rotation included three players making their Doncaster debuts, who made life tough for the Caesars all day.

The win stretches Doncaster's unbeaten record to 14 and they now have two weeks to prepare for the trip to Chester on May 1.

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