Paisley RFC 0-78 Strathendrick RFC

It used to be that, in the rugby world, Easter weekends meant touring either a trip away or welcoming an incoming tour – when will those in charge of our domestic game realise that occasions like a short tour are the attractions for new players and retaining those already in the game?

Easter 2024 and the 1st XV travel to Paisley for a league match. Officially Spring had already sprung and British Summer Time was only a few hours away, but the weather in the days leading up to this fixture had been very wet and with the Anchor Grounds being known for a “moist” playing surface the players were told to expect heavy underfoot conditions.

The squad making the trip saw a number of changes from the previous week due to injury, lambing commitments and holiday plans. James Ogilvy and Stevie Taylor returned to the pack but Finlay Watt and Euan Hylands remained on the injured list. The battling Finn Walford was surprisingly selected at centre.

Since the earlier league match at Fintry in September, Paisley have not enjoyed a good season on the field, having not yet recorded a win in the league. Good on those who continue to turn out for the club in what are undoubtably difficult times. With ‘Endrick giving a less than convincing performance in the previous week they would need to improve if to get back to winning ways before they face two promotion chasing sides in the last three matches.

With both teams set to go, the game started five minutes ahead of schedule and as ‘Endrick collected the starting kick their intention to enter into a running game was evident, as they carried the ball to their opponents with a determination unseen since the match at Uddingston. The first score came in the 4th minute when with the play in mid-field the referee appeared to miss a fairly clear knock on, while Paisley stopped to voice their complaint ‘Endrick gathered the ball and recycled it so as Ben Anderson could cover the remaining 20 yards for a try which he then converted.

From this point there ‘Endrick were to score a further 10 tries without conceding any points. On 10 minutes scrum half for the day Dougie Duff followed up a break by Scott Donaldson an Christiaan Lamb collecting the ball from the resulting ruck to cross for the 2nd try which went unconverted. After this Paisley had their best spell of the match as the heavy forwards had a number of attempts a rumbling the ball over the line. They did succeed on one occasion, but it was ruled to have been a double movement. The ‘Endrick defence was defiant with no tackles missed and the turnover happened after the Paisley side were penalised for a ruck offence.

Next up, following a penalty kicked to touch, was an Angus Morrison lineout catch and with a clean feed a rehearsed backs move saw Ben Anderson cross for his second try of the day which again he converted. 22 minutes played.

The bonus point try came with 31 minutes played – a tap penalty on the half way line was moved through several sets of hands until Angus Morrison set about finishing the move with a run from 30 yards to touchdown close to the posts for converted try. Score 0 – 26. The last minutes of the first half passed with ‘Endrick dominating possession but unable to add to their score due in the main to making simple situations more complicated than necessary.

Half time score – Paisley 0-26 Strathendrick.

As the pace of the game on a very heavy surface told on the home side, ‘Endrick set about improving their points difference. 42 minutes Scott Donaldson – converted try, 44 minutes Christiaan Lamb – converted try, 50 minutes – Findlay Kay – converted try, 55 minutes Charlie Walker converted try. Score 0-61.

57 minutes and the referee was unable to continue due to a hamstring injury, fortunately there was a qualified official who was spectating who could take over and after a short break the game restarted.

The tries continued 65 minutes, Ben Anderson – unconverted. 67 minutes perhaps the best score of the day as the restart was gathered in the ‘Endrick 22 and left winger Christiaan Lamb moved forward at pace, having beaten the first defenders he released the ball across the backline, backs and forwards, to the right wing where Angus Morrison gratefully took the chance to cover the final 30 yards to score under the posts far a 7 point score.

‘Endrick now brought on a number of replacements one of which was Club President Ewan (Pieman) MacKay. 3 minutes after taking the field he was asked by the new referee to leave having been deemed to have transgressed at a ruck. Seemed like a very harsh decision but ‘Endrick would play out the remaining 10 minutes with 14 players.

The final score came with 2 minutes of the match remaining when “Old Boy” Ruairidh McLaughlin crashed towards the Paisley line only to be stopped a couple of yards out. The ruck was won an Scott Donaldson gladly finished off the move which Ben Anderson could not converted.

Final score – Paisley 0-78 Strathendrick

Today Strathendrick had youth and fitness on their side and they played to these strengths well marshalled by Dougie Duff. If there had been an opportunity to announce a Man of the Match then my vote would have gone to Angus Morrison who was dominant in the line out and decisive in his defence while carrying and distributing effectively throughout the match. He well deserved his 2 tries.

Next weekend ‘Endrick have no league fixture but are back at Fintry on 13th April when Cumbernauld visit.

CJ