Strathendrick RFC 53 - 7 Clydebank RFC

This match offered Strathendrick the opportunity to set aside the disappointment of last week’s loss at Uddingston while for Clydebank they had the chance to build on their first win of the season against Carrick last Saturday.

Despite the heavy rain in the days before the match, the playing surface was soft but perfectly playable as both teams set about their task. This week we are grateful to Iain Crawford of A Total Clean for sponsorship of the match ball.

The opening exchanges of the match could best be described as sloppy with both teams guilty of basic errors. Just before the 10 minute mark it was the home team who started the scoreboard rolling as, centre for the day, James Ogilvie took the direct route from 20 yards out to score under the posts giving kicker Kyle Campbell a simple kick for the extra 2 points. Just 3 minutes later following good ‘Endrick pressure it was “Fintry Flyer” Findlay Kay who was on the end of a series of passes to touch down in the corner. This time the kick was unsuccessful and ‘Endrick held a 12 point lead.

With 20 minutes played it was Clydebank who were on top and camped in the home sides 22m area. As they pressed for a score there was a series of 5m scrums which many expected to go in favour of the heavier Clydebank scrum which had already enjoyed a couple of telling pushes. There followed what was perhaps the most talked about part of the match in the after match discussions as the ‘Endrick forwards set strong to hold the efforts of their opponents which ended with the referee awarding a penalty against Clydebank for dropping the scrum.

10 minutes later it was Clydebank who were close to scoring through their backs. They were met by a forceful home defence who forced a turnover and set Findlay Kay off on a length of the pitch run to score his second try of the game directly under the posts, giving Kyle Campbell his second simple conversion.

The last period of the first half saw no change to the scoreboard and ended with a score of Strathendrick 19 – Clydebank 0.

A change at the start of the second half saw James Cuthbertson take up a place in the centre and Dougie Duff playing a stand off. It was James Cuthbertson who recorded the next score (51 minutes) as he finished off a quickly taken penalty to score behind the posts, Kyle Campbell adding the extra points for a further 7 points.

With 57 minutes played it was ‘Endrick who dominated and with the backs showing a series of quality passing Findlay Kay took the chance to score his 3rd try of the match which Campbell again converted. Strathendrick now held a 33 point lead.

The next score came 4 minutes later when from a line out 15m from the try line the ball was thrown to the front man and passed back to Stevie Taylor who scampered in to score in the right hand corner. Faced with a difficult kick Kyle Campbell added the next 2 points. 40 – 0 in favour of the home team.

It was Duncan MacEachran who next caught the eye of the referee as his tackle on the Clydebank no 10 was deemed to be late and he was rewarded with a 10 minute seat in the sin bin. Clydebank then took advantage of their superior numbers and after a series of rucks in the ‘Endrick 22m zone opened sufficient space for a score under the posts cutting the home side’s lead by 7 points.

Even while ‘Endrick were a man down they continued to display positive rugby and when a kick to touch was quickly taken by Dougie Duff he chose to kick ahead. The kick was mis-handled by the Clydebank full back who after knocking the ball on allowed it to be ripped from his grasp and Dougie Duff to score close to the posts. With Campbell adding the points ‘Endrick had re-established their 40 point lead

5 minutes of the match remained as replacement winger Logan Mearns took a pass from the middle of the pitch to side step his way to the line for the last try of the match. This time the conversion was missed and a couple of minutes later the referee signaled full time.

Full time score Strathendrick 52 Clydebank 7

Whilst the result may suggest a one-sided contest, this was in no way an easy win. The home side played some smart rugby while the visitors stuck to the task and provided determined opposition. The real difference between the sides was perhaps the pace of the ‘Endrick players and the organisation of their defence. The ‘Endrick man of the match award was given to 1stXV debutant Alasdair Huxtable.

Next week the 1st XV travel to Cumbernauld – Kick off 3.00pm. The 2nd XV, who had no game this weekend are away to Greenock Wanderers, also a 3.00pm start.

CJ