IT was the same old story for the London O’s as they romped to their seventh-straight British championship with what turned out to be a convincing victory over the plucky Pirates.

At the end of what has been a relatively traumatic season for the O’s, who have come close to losing their unbeaten six-year domestic run more than once this season, they shook off an early setback to dominate the rest of the game.

"Guys like Warren Keen and Clive Palumbo were a big part of that, but really the whole team stepped up."

East Kilbride took the lead in the first quarter when Jon Sutherland ran in for a 62-yard touchdown, but Keen rushed for touchdowns of 22 and 10 yards while league MVP Palumbo hauled in a 46-yard TD strike from quarterback Stuart Franklin.

"East Kilbride played smart, especially in the first half, and showed some things that we were not used to, even from watching them on film," Ayub added. "It took us a while to settle and play football, but once the defensive ends started working and we picked up their blocking schemes, we began to enforce our philosophy."

The O’s also benefited from an interception return touchdown from defensive lineman Paul Evans and sealed the victory in the fourth quarter when running back Matt Coppinger hauled in a one-handed nine-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Dominic Dearman.

The game started badly for the Pirates when a blind throw by quarterback Gary McNey was intercepted by O’s linebacker Aden Durde, who spent time with the Scottish Claymores last season, at the East Kilbride 24. However, the O’s couldn’t capitalise and Andy Boyle saw his 37-yard field goal attempt blocked.

McNey, Sutherland and running back Willie Brown then led the Scots on their next drive and marched to the London 28, but McNey’s 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide.

Both teams struggled to move the ball for most of the remaining moments of the quarter, which seemed to last an age, but East Kilbride had the upper hand with Sutherland looking sharp when bursting to the outside. Sure enough, it was the explosive East Kilbride back who opened the scoring when, following a London punt, he took the ball on the right side then cut down the left for a 62-yard scamper into the end zone. McNey made the extra point and the Pirates led 7-0.

"Sutherland has a great turn of speed and caused problems for us," said Ayub. "They have some good, young guys and a never-say-die team spirit."

That proved to be the wake-up call London needed and they soon hit back with a score of their own. A magnificent kick-off return, which saw blocker Durde take two men out on the right sideline, from Palumbo put the ball on the Pirates’ 20. After a pass interference call moved the ball to the 10, they were pushed back to the 12 and Keen then took a pitch into the end zone on second-and-goal. Boyle kicked the PAT to make it 7-7.

East Kilbride were still able to move the ball in the first half, but the O’s defense stiffened in the red zone and held McNey to a 32-yard field goal attempt early in the second quarter, which was duly blocked. London started to turn the screw when Keen burst through and ran in a 23-yard touchdown before halftime. Boyle’s kick made it 14-7.

Palumbo was making an even bigger impact on the game at the start of the second half. He had a touchdown called back then converted a third-and-long with a run down the left side. He then took a pass down the right side and benefited from a crunching downfield block from fellow wideout Jeremy Simms to scamper in for a 46-yard score. Boyle again slotted the PAT to make it 21-7 and the game was beginning to look decidedly out of reach for the Pirates.

The worries grew when, backed up deep inside their own five, McNey threw an ill-advised pass over the middle where defensive lineman Paul Evans was waiting to take the interception untouched into the end zone.

"We were looking for the screen when they were backed up in the red zone and we are very pleased for Evans," said Ayub. "It’s his first ever touchdown - and he’s scored it in a final."