It may be that three season had passed since these two clubs met at 1st XV level as Oban made the trip to Fintry on a bright and dry day. Since the teams last met it had been the visitors who had played in the higher league as they played in West League Division 1 where they clearly competed well and finished in third place in the season just ended. If Oban were to continue on their recent trend then this match could be a real test for the Strathendrick players who were being seen for the first time in a competitive match setting by new coach Eddie Roach. Before kick off, the two sides agreed on a 4 x 20 minute match so as to allow changes to give all players some game time.

Immediately before the kick off both sides along with the spectators observed a one minute silence in memory of Sandy Holroyd, a junior club member who was taken too soon.

‘Endrick had gathered impressive numbers and rightly chose to start with a team of players who had been the most regular trainers. Seeing the number of players available to play raises confidence for the senior rugby in the coming season.
From the kick off both sides set about the task of scoring some tries and all attacks were met with resilient defences. The dam was burst in the sixth minute when after a series of short, sharp passes put the ball in the hands of our “new” boy, stand off, Ben Gibson who, with a powerful run, touched down close to the posts for a seven point lead.
For the remainder of the first 20 minute quarter both sides showed good attacking rugby, the home side using their back line while the visitors relied on driving forwards – all of these efforts continued to be thwarted by two well organised and committed defences. In the final move of the quarter it looked like Oban had scored in the left hand corner but the player was ruled to be in touch before grounding the ball.
20 minute score – Strathendrick 7 Oban Lorne 0
‘Endrick made a few changes during the break and when these settled it was the home side who scored again as Fergus Brown fielded a kick ahead in his own half and with some pace, an outrageous dummy and some strong running made his way into the Oban half where he linked up with another “new” boy in the shape of Angus North who side-stepped the remaining defenders before passing to the supporting Findlay Kay who finished off the move for another converted try. 30 minutes now on the clock.
Overall this 20 minute period was being controlled by ‘Endrick as they continued to attack the Oban line. All credit to the Oban defence who offered a strong defence. With 34 minutes played there was, arguably, the try of the match. ‘Endrick won their own throw into a line out mid-way into the Oban half, they used a training ground move where sleight of hand and off the ball running left the defence drifting and Findlay Kay touched down for his second try of the afternoon. Ben Anderson was on hand to add his third conversion and move the score to 21 – 0.
The last 6 minutes of the half saw Oban set about opening their account with two tries and one conversion. Half time score – Strathendrick 21 Oban 12
For the start of the third quarter, ‘Endrick made a significant number of changes, both to give all players some game time and reduce the risk of injury to key players. It was the chance for Oban to control the game as the changes took time to settle as within 12 minutes they had taken the lead scoring two tries and one conversion.
‘Endrick were, however, not brushed aside as they responded with a successful penalty and a Fraser Spence try – again converted to retake the lead. Then back came Oban with another score on their left wing, a recurring theme was appearing. As the 3rd quarter ended the scores were tied 31 points-a-piece.
Your match correspondent was unable to record the usual meticulous notes during the last 20 minutes as, following a difference of opinion with the match official, he was instructed to watch the rest of the match from behind the fence.
As the final changes were made, a number of home players from the first 20 minutes returning to the field, it was Oban who, in the 63rd minute, scored first to re-take the lead with another score down their left flank for an unconverted try. ‘Endrick were soon back on the scoring trail as, four minutes later, Fraser Spence, an U18 player last season, dotted down for his second try of the day. This one was converted and the lead swung back in favour of the home side.
From here, with the score 38-36, it got pretty hectic. On the 70 minute mark it was Oban scoring again in their favoured left corner – the try was unconverted. Two minutes later, with ‘Endrick in Oban territory, they were awarded a scrum penalty which scrum half Dougie Duff took quickly and raced past four or five defenders to touch down for a final converted try.
Final score – Strathendrick 43 – Oban Lorne 41
While this was an encouraging result for Strathendrick it was clear that there is much work to be done before they face their first league match on 24th August, Waysiders-Drumpellier at home. This point was made clear by the coach after the game. Next week the squad of players travel to Annan for another friendly fixture.