The Winnipeg Blue Bombers scored three first quarter touchdowns en route to a 37-11 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Wednesday night at Investors Group Field.

The Bombers and Tiger-Cats had to wait out a two-and-a-half hour weather delay and when Hamilton kicker Brett Maher finally got the game underway at 10:07 p.m. - it was the home team that dominated from the get go.

CJ Roberts picked off Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli's first pass attempt and went 19 yards for a touchdown.

Less than two minutes later Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols found Clarence Denmark with a 12-yard touchdown pass and the Bombers enjoyed a 14-0 lead before the game was four minutes old.

Winnipeg would add to the lead as Nichols hooked up with Thomas Mayo for a 13-yard touchdown pass with five minutes left in the first quarter.

Mayo caught seven passes for 84 yards.

Nichols, who is 2-0 as the Blue Bombers starting quarterback, said the delay wasn't really an issue.

"It's something that happened to us a couple of times this year and happened in practice a couple of days ago - we weren't able to get a full day of practice in. It's something our guys are used to. We kept it light in there and made sure we kept stretching. We got each other fired up before we actually went out and played. It kind of showed the resilience of this team that we weren't going to let anything affect us. We had a mission tonight and went out and played a great game in all three phases."

Andrew Harris added a three-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and Justin Medlock kicked a pair of field goals.

Winnipeg head coach Mike O'Shea was thrilled with his football team's 34-0 lead after 30 minutes.

"Things went our way and there were a lot of plays that we made them go our way. It was a pretty exciting first half. Our guys were pretty pumped. They were into it. I think all three phases did a great job. The cover team was forcing penalties by getting down there hard and covering well. The offense was moving the ball and scoring touchdowns and defensively we took the ball away."

The Tiger-Cats, who rallied from a 25-point halftime deficit to beat the Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium in week five, finally got on the board midway through the third quarter as backup quarterback Jeff Mathews had a one-yard touchdown plunge.

Winnipeg defensive lineman Justin Cole recorded a pair of quarterback sacks.

Derek Jones blocked a punt which led to Medlock's first field goal of the night.

Taylor Lofler's interception was followed by Medlock's second field goal.

Jake Thomas had a fumble recovery as the Blue Bombers forced six Hamilton turnovers.

Kevin Fogg returned a second quarter punt 80 yards but that touchdown was nullified by a blocking penalty.

Medlock added his third field goal with 2:48 left in the game which came to an end Thursday at 12:50 a.m.

The Blue Bombers (3-4), who snapped a six-game losing skid at Investors Group Field, will meet the Argonauts in Toronto on Friday, August 12th.


photos courtesy Merle Peters