Strathendrick 23 - 19 Bishopton

Bishopton made the trip to Fintry having won all of their 6 league matches this season and were only denied top spot due to having 2 postponed matches. The Strathendrick team were anticipating a real test of their abilities.

The Club is most grateful for today’s match ball sponsor Donald Macleod Electrical.

There had been only 4 minutes of play when Bishopton pounced on an error by he home team to open the scoring. In an error of judgement as the right winger’s attempt to keep a kick to touch in play ended with the ball being mis-handled and the Bishopton left winger pouncing on the loose ball to touch down close to the posts. With the conversion successful the home side faced a 7 point deficit.

5 minutes later the scoreboard was moving again as Bishopton were ruled to be off their feet at a ruck this allowed Kyle Campbell to cut the Bishopton lead by 3 points.

This was clearly going to be a well contested match with no quarter asked or given. A lapse of concentration on the part of centre for the day Euan Hylands saw him penalised for a high tackle and rewarded with a 10 minute rest on the sideline. Only 14 minutes played. Immediately after this front row forward Andrew Spence was forced off the pitch for treatment to a bleeding nose. Play during the 10 minutes of the yellow card would not suggest that ‘Endrick were playing a man short as both sides battled to score but with no success.

In the 27th minute, 3 minutes after Hylands’ return, it was ‘Endrick who won a penalty as Bishopton were penalised again for being off their feet. The previously successful script was followed again as Campbell cut the margin by a further 3 points.

With 2 minutes of the first half remaining ‘Endrick were camped in the visitors 22m zone and following a series of rucks finally set up an opportunity for Murray Calderwood to barge over from close to the line for a try converted by Campbell. ‘Endrick now lead for the first time in the match. There was no further scoring before the end of the half.

Half time score – Strathendrick 13 Bishopton 7

The short rest during the half time interval appeared to have given both teams the opportunity to refresh their lungs as the pace of the game seemed to rise. Tackling by both teams was best described as determined and the defences dominated a game largely played in the middle of the park. A break from 30 m out left Rory Trafford only inches from the try line as he was stopped by another effective Bishopton tackle. As the reinforcements arrived in support it was Duncan MacEachran who was sharp enough to spot that the ball was available and only needed to be moved a few inches for another score the conversion of this try was unsuccessful but ‘Endrick had increased their lead to 18-7.

From the re-start it was clear Bishopton were determined to add to their score as they set about making their way towards the ‘Endrick line. However, a passing move across the backs produced a dropped ball which Morgan Lamb was quick to claim and with the defenders left trailing behind he raced 60m to score the home side’s 3rd try of the day.

65 minutes had been played when ‘Endrick were awarded a kickable penalty. The decision to run the award was perhaps based on the ambition to secure the bonus point try while Bishopton were a man short following an earlier yellow card. For whatever reason the planned move did not bring about any score and a chance for points had gone adrift.

‘Endrick were going to have to play the last 10 minutes of the game with 14 players as Angus Morrison was penalised for what was deemed to be a yellow card offence. It took Bishopton only 60 seconds to make the numerical advantage tell as they crossed for an unconverted try.

The final moments of the game saw Bishopton pushing for a late score so as to collect the losing bonus point. They proved successful when the referee awarded a penalty try for a debatable high tackle in the last move of the match.

Full time score – Strathendrick 23 Bishopton 19

This was the first outing of the new strips – Thanks to shirt sponsors DS McG Ltd and Nicolson Farms, the Andrew Spence nosebleed means they have most certainly been bloodied.

This was arguably the biggest test faced by Strathendrick in the league so far this season, congratulations to both sets of players for a most enjoyable contest.

This win sees Strathendrick move up to 2nd place in the league just ahead of Uddingston on points difference.

Next week the 1st XV play at home against Carrick kick off 2.00pm.

CJ