Carrick v Strathendrick, Glebe Park, Maybole.

The weather was almost perfect, especially for the small crowd of spectators although the players might have preferred if it were a little cooler. In any case at just after 3.00pm the game kicked off with the visitors having the breeze at their backs. ‘Endrick had the better of the play in the opening exchanges but a mixture of good defending by the home side and a lack of accuracy in the opponent’s 22 resulted in there being no scoring in the 1st 20 minutes of the match. This was soon to change when, 3 minutes later from a lineout in their own half Carrick won the ball and began a series of passes which resulted in a score under the posts for a 7 point advantage.

From the re-start ‘Endrick again pressed towards the opponent’s line but were caught napping 10 minutes later when Carrick collected loose ball to travel almost the full length of the park, through it must be said some weak tackling, to score again under the posts to increase the advantage to 14 points.

A couple of minutes later ‘Endrick were awarded a penalty in a kickable position which, due to a mix up with the kicking tee provider was taken as a drop kick and which was missed. In spite of this disappointment the visitors continued to press and were awarded another penalty, choosing on this occasion for a scrum which was won, the ball was worked back to the forwards and after a brief series of drives towards the line, Sandy Bruce made the vital touchdown converted by Dougie Duff.

Half time score – 14 – 7

Those within the visiting support who expected Carrick to use the wind to gain territory were proved to be wrong as, from the re-start, the home side ran the ball at every opportunity perhaps believing that they would have the better of the visitor’s defence.

It was a full 25 minutes into the 2nd half before any more points were added when from a penalty for a high tackle Carrick increased their lead by 3, doing so again 5 minutes later in almost identical circumstances.

To their credit ‘Endrick advanced up the pitch again seeking a score and were rewarded when, on the 85 minute mark, Mark Scott barged over in the corner after some close contact work. The conversion attempt from wide out and into the wind was well struck but just off line.

If the referee had been positioned on the other side of a driving ruck he may have seen what appeared to be a good score. It was not to be however and a ruling made that the ball was held up. The clearing dropout bounced into touch, Carrick won the ball and kicked it out of play to bring the match to a close.

‘Endrick would be disappointed to travel home with nothing to show but, in truth, too many handling errors at critical times along with a series of odd decisions at lineouts and penalties may have been the true reason for the result. There are plenty of good things about this performance it just needs to be sharpened.

Full time score 20 – 12

Next week the 1st XV face Waysiders/Drumpellier at Fintry while the 2XV travel to Dalziel for their first match of the season.

CJ