This was expected to be the most testing game of Strathendrick’s season so far with their opponents holding first place in the league table. These expectations were proved correct and a well fought match took place.

This was a close contest between two teams who were keen to show their all-round rugby skills, with both sides showing some quality defence much of the game was played in the middle of the park and when kicks were made into opponents 22m zone they were well dealt with by the defenders.

It was Strathendrick who opened the scoring when from a penalty and a line out there were a series of rucks and with 5 minutes played Murray Calderwood barged over in the right hand corner.

The next 10 minutes proved to be a spell of both sides trying to impose their game plan on their opponent, a prolonged and threatening phase of Cambuslang play ended in the ‘Endrick 22 when the referee awarded a penalty to the defending side and allowed the home side to make their way upfield.

With 27 minutes played it was Strathendrick who were on the attack and following a high tackle were awarded a penalty. The kick was dispatched to turf and the ball cleanly taken by jumper Euan Hyland who was proving to be a valuable source of ball at the line out for the home team (he later won Player of the Match). As the ball was moved away from the lineout the Cambuslang backs strayed offside and conceded a penalty from which full back Kyle Campbell was only too pleased to add 3 points to the home side’s total giving them a lead of 8 points to nil.

It took only 5 minutes for Cambuslang to post their reply. Following a series of good rucks which took the play towards the home side goal line, the ball was released to the backs who after a tackle and recycle kicked forward with the visiting centre winning the chase to the line for a try close to the left hand touchline. On this occasion the conversion proved to be too difficult.

In the minute before half time ‘Endrick were forced into a change as Bruce Steel, making his first appearance this season for the 1st XV was forced off with an ankle injury.

Shortly after the re-start the referee ended the first half.

Half time – Strathendrick 8 – Cambuslang 5

The opening exchanges of the 2nd half perhaps favoured the home side as they dominated territory and had a chance to add 3 points after 44 minutes from a penalty award. On this occasion Kyle Campbell’s aim was off and there was no change to the scoreboard. The match reverted back to type and was played in the middle of the pitch.

With 57 minutes of the match played James Ogilvie turned the clock back with a show of the pace and swerve he regularly displayed 10 years ago to move through the Cambuslang defence to score. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and the scoreboard moved to 13 – 5 in favour of Strathendrick.
Finn Walford who had come on as a replacement just before half time was proving to be a more than useful in attack as his barraging runs continued to cause the Cambuslang some difficult moments and, no doubt, some later bruising.

When the referee adjudged a tackle on the Cambuslang kicker to be late with the result that the penalty was awarded in the ‘Endrick 22 it was the visitors who were looking to score. Winning their own throw Cambuslang set a driving maul and were rewarded with a try wide on the right hand side of the pitch. The conversion was missed and with the score at 13 – 10 both side were set for a nervy last 15 minutes.

With 6 minutes of the match remaining the charging bull that is Finn Walford sustained a head knock and left the field.

In these last 15 minutes, it was the defences who dominated although with only a few minutes of the match remaining Cambuslang shunned the chance of kicking a penalty to tie the match and lost possession to allow the home side to move the ball clear of their own goal line, the moved ended close to halfway. As the referee awarded ‘Endrick a penalty, stand off Dougie Duff tapped the ball and then cleared to touch to end the match.

This was a good contest played in great spirit – hard rugby with no cards to either side. Well done both clubs.

Final score Strathendrick 13 – Cambuslang 10

On the adjacent pitch the 2nd XV played their league match against Kilmarnock. Those taking the field for Strathendrick are to be congratulated for making the effort to fulfil the fixture and add another day with 40 plus players representing Strathendrick. The game ended in a win for the visitors 0 – 36.

Next week the 1st XV are away to Uddingston while the 2nd XV are scheduled to play Galloway away from home.