Clydebank RFC 14 - 43 Strathendrick RFC

Would the gap of five weeks with no games and the disruption of training due to frosted pitches have any influence on the performance of the team facing old local rivals Clydebank?

The considered opinion, before kick-off, of those on the touchline was that the brisk wind blowing down the pitch away from the clubhouse would indeed influence the game with both teams requiring to change their styles of play in each half.

At 3.00pm prompt, the game started with Strathendrick having the advantage of the wind. During the first 4 minutes it was, however, the home side who retained the ball using mainly their forwards to make advances towards the ‘Endrick 22. All advances were met with good defending and when the ball was turned over and kicked down the pitch the chasing players forced the Clydebank defence into conceding a penalty, just inside their 22, for not releasing. The kick was duly knocked over, off a post, by Kyle Campbell and ‘Endrick had a 3 point lead with 5 minutes played.

The re-start kick, into the breeze, failed to travel the required 10m and resulted in a scrum to Strathendrick on the halfway line. The ball was moved smoothly from the scrum and into the backs where centre James Cuthbertson chose a great line to make considerable yards, when stopped he slipped a neat pass to the supporting Stevie Taylor who touched down for the first try of the match. Campbell was unable to add the additional points. ‘Endrick now held an 8 point lead with 72 minutes of the match remaining.

10 more minutes had passed with little excitement when play in the Clydebank 22 resulted in another chance for Campbell to add 3 points which was gladly accepted. ‘Endrick now led by 11 points. As had been predicted most of the game was being played in the Clydebank half of the pitch as Strathendrick used the wind advantage to clear any threats. On the 28 minute mark Clydebank, once again, were deemed to have offended and Campbell converted his 3rd penalty of the day.

Although down by 14 points, Clydebank showed some real spirit and were rewarded with a penalty in just about the centre of the pitch. The kick to touch fell short of the touchline but was collected on the full by the supporting winger who took his chance to speed on unopposed to touch down behind the posts to add 7 points to the Clydebank side of the scoreboard. With 31 minutes on the clock the score read 7-14.

The closing 3 minutes of the first half were all Strathendrick as first Campbell added another 3 points, 37 minutes played, and 2 minutes later from a line out on the halfway line a breakout towards the Clydebank line ended with Stevie Taylor on another charge, he was sufficiently alert, when stopped, to slip a pass away to Christian Lamb who finished off in the corner. The conversion was missed and a minute later the first half ended with the score Clydebank 7 Strathendrick 22. Would Clydebank be able to use the wind in the 2nd half to cut back the visitor’s lead?

The opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half saw most of the play in the ‘Endrick half but with little threat to the try line. From a breakdown in play just inside the ‘Endrick half Craig Mundell, playing his first game back since 16th September following a shoulder injury, made a break which left several defenders in his wake. When he was eventually stopped midway inside the Clydebank 22 the supporting players won the ruck, new scrum half Ewan (hope the spelling is right) Bogle, who replaced Scott Donaldson at half time, collected the well presented ball and after a couple of neat side steps touched down for ‘Endrick try number 3. Campbell duly added the extra points to make the score 7-29.

2 minutes later it was a repeat performance as Bogle collected the ball from another good ruck and smoothly bypassed the opposition defenders for his 2nd try of the match to which Campbell again added the 2 points. ‘Endrick now had the try bonus point in the bag. Undaunted the home side set about scoring their own points and made advances towards the ‘Endrick line – 68 minutes played and they were only a couple of metres away from their objective they were trying the short route with forwards being stopped just short. The telling effort came when James Cuthbertson was deemed to have played the ball while on the ground which resulted in him being shown a yellow card and the referee awarding a penalty try. The score now read 14-36.

The numbers were evened up 4 minutes after that score when the Clydebank stand-off, veteran Ross McCombe, received a 10 minute spell for an unknown offence.

There was one more score to come as, with 5 minutes of the game remaining, debutant Bogle took advantage of some slack defence to complete his hat trick. With Campbell adding another 2 points and the game coming to a close, the final score read Clydebank 14 Strathendrick 43.

Given the lack of match practice and a number of players unavailable, this was a good ‘Endrick showing. In addition to the hat trick hero Stevie Taylor, Bruce Steel, Duncan MacEachran and Craig Mundell put in impressive performances, the goal kicking of Kyle Campbell was also significant. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of this match was that ‘Endrick conceded fewer penalties than has been their recent habit. Could still be better!

Next week 27th January the 1st XV are playing in the National Shield Competition against Lomond/ Helensburgh at Fintry. Kick off is early at 1.30pm. It would be great to have a good crowd there to support the team.

The 2nd XV had been scheduled to play a league fixture against GU Hills but were unable to do so due to a frozen pitch. Next week they have no game and are next on duty on 17th February at home to Allan Glens.

CJ