Strathendrick vs Lomond & Helensburgh

Match day started with an informal gathering of a few past players who sampled a light lunch and a drink with a chance to catch up and tell tales of rugby days gone by. Thanks to all who attended.

Next up was the photographic procedures for the match ball sponsor Arnprior Farm – A big thanks to Duncan and Rebecca McEwan for their generous sponsorship.

Then on to the day’s contest – Since these two sides last met at Helensburgh in September the home side had played 6 games winning 4, while the visitors had played 7 winning 3 which suggested that this should be a close contest.

After several days of heavy rain the playing surface could best be described as heavy, which wasn’t thought to favour the much lighter home side. The start made by ‘Endrick was perhaps a sign of things to come as the kick went straight into touch giving the visitors the first scrum of the day on the half way line. The next five minutes was an arm wrestle with Lomond & Helensburgh having the territorial advantage, just four minutes later it was ‘Endrick who were on the attack in their opponent’s 22 and moving the ball through the backs when a pass was intercepted by an Lomond & Helensburgh centre who took the chance to make his way unchallenged to touch down under the posts for an simple conversion and a 7 point lead.

Set with the challenge of this deficit, ‘Endrick chased their opening score, but a promising attack ended with them penalised for holding on in the tackle. The equalising score came with 17 minutes on the clock when from a scrum Kyle Campbell worked a scissors move with Gregor Duncan who finished off the move with a couple of well exercised side steps and a score which Campbell converted to tie the scores. 10 minutes later it was Campbell adding to the score again as Lomond & Helensburgh were penalised and ‘Endrick held a 3 point lead.

This lead only lasted 9 minutes as ‘Endrick fell foul of the referee to give the Lomond & Helensburgh kicker the opportunity to level the scores.

With 32 minutes played the Lomond & Helensburgh full back engaged in some verbal debate with the referee and after being marched back the usual 10m was shown a yellow card presumably for continuing the discussion. It took ‘Endrick 5 minutes to use their numerical advantage and from a Lomond & Helensburgh scrum they secured the ball moved the ball to winger Findlay Kay who was stopped with a quality tackle just short of the line but succeeded in slipping the ball to the supporting James Ogilvie who crossed for a try which was converted by Campbell to make the score 17 – 10.

In time added for stoppages, Lomond & Helensburgh won a penalty, which the sure-footed kicker duly converted to reduce the margin.

Half time score Strathendrick 17 Lomond/Helensburgh 13.

With only two minutes of the 2nd half played ‘Endrick were penalised, this was to become a regular event throughout the remainder of the match. The ball was duly dispatched to reduce the margin to only 1 point. Just three minutes after that the ‘Endrick backs were ruled to be offside, which appeared a harsh decision, but Lomond & Helensburgh took their chance to lead the match. Score 17 – 19.

51 minutes played and as full back Ben Anderson made his way up the touchline and kicked ahead he was the recipient of a late tackle. The kick to touch from were the ball landed took the game into the Lomond & Helensburgh 22. As ‘Endrick won their line out the ball was moved through two well set rucks then across a couple of pairs of hands to winger Findlay Kay who scored in the corner. The difficult conversion was successful Campbell adding the 2 points as ‘Endrick retook the lead. 24 – 19.

The visitors were next to score when, after 2 curious refereeing decisions, handling on the ground and an obvious knock on, the right winger took a well timed pass to touch down in the corner. On this occasion the conversion proved to be too difficult for the, up to now 100% successful, kicker. The scores were tied 24 – 24 with 15 minutes left to play.

Both sides battled for what might be a winning score and it was ‘Endrick who once again displeased the referee to give Lomond & Helensburgh 3 points from the boot of their kicker. 7 minutes remaining.

In the closing phases it was ‘Endrick who held territorial advantage as Lomond & Helensburgh conceded a number of penalties the last of which, although in a kickable position, was kicked to touch and with the clock now over the 80 minute mark. In a pre-planned move the ball was thrown to the front of the line and passed back to the thrower who crossed the line and touched down only to discover that the referee had adjudged the final pass to be forward before signalling for full time.

As predicted before the match this was a tight game. ‘Endrick will need to tighten their game to reduce the number of penalties they concede if they are to win these close matches.

Final score Strathendrick 24 Lomond/Helensburgh 27.

Next week, in the final league fixture of the year, Strathendrick travel to league leaders Cambuslang, kick off 2.00pm.

The 2nd XV were scheduled to play a league game away to Kilmarnock but were unable to raise a team and the match was conceded. Their next scheduled match is 13th January.

CJ