The return of students to far off universities combined with the early 1.00pm kick off and subsequent non-availability call offs certainly changed the starting line up from last week. The squad selected looked more than capable and set about their task with genuine enthusiasm.

It was the home side who would record the first points of the match when after six minutes they kicked a penalty into ‘Endrick’s 22m zone. At the line out the defending side knocked on so giving home side a scrum – that scrum was duly won and the ball moved across the backs for the left winger to score close to the touchline which proved too difficult for the kicker to make the conversion.

From the restart ‘Endrick made valiant attempts to get their score moving, all of which were thwarted by either a good defence or simple errors. After 16 minutes of play ‘Endrick finally applied some pressure in their opponent’s 22 as they pressed for a try. These attempts only resulted in the conceding of a penalty which the Lomond Helensburgh elected to kick cross field to the furthest touchline. The ambitious kick was short of touch and well fielded by the ‘Endrick backs who charged forward, set up a ruck, cleared the ball which when it was gathered by winger Finlay Kay duly taken to the try line and touched down close to the corner flag for an unconverted try to tie the score at 5–5.

This was a well contested game, much of which was played between the 22’s for the remainder of the first half. The first half ended a few minutes early following what appeared to be a serious head knock suffered by the home side’s scrum half.

Half time – Lomond & Helensburgh 5 - Strathendrick 5

The second half started very much as the 1st period had ended with both sides looking to impose their game on the opposition and all the action in mid-field. With 48 minutes on the clock Strathendrick advanced into the home side’s 22m area and were awarded a penalty which full back Kyle Campbell converted to give his side a 3 point lead.

Another period of mid-field play ended with Lomond & Helensburgh in the visitor’s 22 and ‘Endrick captain Duncan MacEachran being shown a yellow card for a pretty blatant offside offence to deny a scoring opportunity. Lomond & Helensburgh chose a shot at goal and duly levelled the match with 55 minutes of the match played.

The yellow card was out again just a couple of minutes later when the home side tight head prop was adjudged to have put in a dangerous tackle. Just 2 minutes later from the resulting line out the defending side were ruled to be off their feet at a ruck and ‘Endrick were awarded a kickable penalty. Kyle Campbell had no difficulty adding a further 3 points to the total. Score 8 – 11.

Next action followed a kick ahead by number 10 Dougie Duff who, following up the kick was adjudged to have tackled the fielder late. With the kick awarded where the ball had landed the match was again level as the home side took the 3 points available. 2 minutes later there had been no further scoring but 2 minutes after that a penalty was kicked to touch and when the line out was won Dougie Duff broke through the first line of defence to release the ball to the Charlie Walker who made yards and then put Rory Trafford on course for a good score close enough to the posts to allow Kyle Campbell to add to the day’s total. With 8 minutes left to play Strathendrick held a 7 point lead.

The closing period required good defence from the visitors as Lomond & Helensburgh pushed for a score. It was the defence who proved to be the most resilient when after about 10 minutes of nail biting for the ‘Endrick supporters the referee signalled full time.

Full time – Lomond & Helensburgh 11 – Strathendrick 18

1st XV debutant Finlay Watt, playing scrum half, was adjudged to be the visitor’s Player of the Match and was awarded the customary after match pint.

This was a good contest between two very well matched sides. Thank you to the ‘Endrick supporters who made the trip to Ardencaple and best wishes to the two Lomond & Helensburgh players who had to leave the pitch injured.

As a result of there not being sufficient players available, the 2ndXV fixture away to Greenock Wanderers was not played and the match conceded.

Next week the 1st XV play are at home to Cambuslang and the 2nd XV welcome Kilmarnock. Both matches kick off at 3.00pm.