Waysiders Drumpellier 26 - 14 Strathendrick

Any team travelling to Langloan to face Waysiders Drumpellier would be anticipating a test of their individual strength and their rugby skills, the home side having a well-deserved reputation for offering strong resistance. With no match practice over the previous five Saturdays the travelling squad were understandably nervous. The pack were missing three regulars, James Ogilvy, Stevie Taylor and Euan Hylands, so the chosen eight were expected to face a difficult test.

At the end of the match there was not much to report; this was a performance that will be easy to forget.

WD started the stronger of the two sides and dominated the play without ever threatening the ‘Endrick line. When the visitors did have the ball, they looked dangerous but were often let down by mis-handling or the old fault of conceding a penalty. The first clear scoring opportunity came about after 10 minutes when ‘Endrick elected to kick for goal from a penalty award. The normally reliable Ben Anderson, with the wind at his back, could not start the scoreboard moving. At this point the rugby on show was of a poor quality from both teams with WD dominating possession and ‘Endrick looking dangerous in short spells.

On the 20 minute mark Dougie Duff crossed for a touchdown only to have it ruled out for a double movement. Still the scoreboard, if there was one, had not moved.

After a further eight minutes of players running into each other, dropping the ball and conceding penalties WD finally broke the dam as the right winger breezed through a couple of weak tackles to score under the posts.

For the remainder of the half the home side played with more purpose their confidence higher. All of the WD attempts were closed down by ‘Endrick who offered strong defence but little in the way of an attacking threat.

Half time score: Waysiders Drumpellier 7 Strathendrick 0.

‘Endrick made a number of changes to the team for the start of the second half. It may have been the changes in personnel or sheer determination to improve as three minutes into the restart ‘Endrick secured turnover ball 40 metres from the WD line. Bruce Steel carried the ball half way to the line and was successful in getting a pass away to the supporting Christiaan Lamb who scored under the posts giving Ben Anderson an easy two points which tied the match.

For the next few minutes it was ‘Endrick who looked the most likely to score. This continued right up to the 50th minute when a simple crash ball move by the WD centre in the ‘Endrick 22m area was stopped too late and a successful pass from the tackle let the scorer touchdown close to the post for another seven point score.

10 minutes later another seven points for WD after a period of sustained pressure aided by the number of penalties conceded by the visitors. The shoulder injury which forced scrum half Finlay Watt to leave the field did not help as ‘Endrick were forced to reorganise the back line. The scrum half required hospital treatment for a dislocated shoulder but was able to return to the clubhouse less than two hours later – Well done to the Monklands A&E team!

Reaching the hour mark the score read Waysiders Drumpellier 21 Strathendrick 7.

Both teams continued their attempts to add to the scores with their exertions often failing to satisfy the match official’s interpretation of the Laws, either that or there was a knock on.

With three minutes of the match remaining WD threw into a line out 5m from the ‘Endrick line and after much heaving and straining the forwards crossed for the bonus point. From close to the touchline the WD kicker attempted to maintain his 100% record for the day. The kick came as close as it could for the extra 2 points as the ball hit the post and bounced back.

The game restarted. WD fielded the kick and chose to kick into the ‘Endrick half where the ball was collected and advanced up the pitch through a number of passes – perhaps the best handling phase of the 80 minutes – the advance continued as the 80 minutes passed and finally Angus Morrison gathered a pass with the try line in sight and charged over under the posts. Findlay Kay added the extra two points with the last kick of the game.

Final score: Waysiders Drumpellier 26 Strathendrick 14.

For ‘Endrick the lack of match practice was evident as was their continued habit of conceding penalties. Congratulations to WD who played to their strengths and deserved the win.

Next week it’s league business again for the 1st XV as they travel to Paisley for a 3.00pm kick off.

CJ