Strathendrick 1st XV travelled to close rivals, Carrick, for the 3rd round of the National Shield competition. However, the league fixture between the sides was settled with the last play of the game and the cup tie was to be played on Maybole Community Campus’ all-weather pitch…..
As the match kicked off with a gusting wind and vocal home support, ‘Endrick quickly took the game into the Carrick 22m and, after only 3 minutes, powerful forward play enabled Stevie Taylor to cross for the opening try. Some start! However, the home side drove back and only solid defence from Strathendrick held them at bay. Fergus Brown put in a long raking kick to take play downfield; a penalty followed and Brown converted. Two visits to Carrick’s 22m and two scores – so far, so good.
In the first period, Strathendrick had looked the more dominant side but then the game began to turn. On 16’, Angus North landed awkwardly on the artificial turf and turned an ankle, to be replaced by Frazer Spence. Immediately afterwards, in the visitors third foray deep into Carrick territory, Brown missed a – by his high standards – kickable penalty. The game ebbed and flowed and Carrick clawed three points back with a penalty before, on the half hour, prop Angus Robb also injured an ankle and was relaced by the other Spence sibling, Andrew. ‘Endrick pushed for a further try but despite Carrick giving away a series of penalties near their own line, the referee declined to go for his pocket, and when skipper Murray Calderwood touched down, the ref was unsighted and didn’t award the try. To compound the ‘Endrick travails, on half time Ben Gibson received a head-knock and had to come off. In the first period, the game had suffered four ankle injuries – two from each side – and ‘Endrick had lost two of their most experienced and influential players. They were up against it despite their narrow lead.
Half time score: Carrick 3 – Strathendrick 8
Immediately from the restart, Carrick mounted a series of determined attacks and after only three minutes scored a converted try to take the lead. A successful penalty kick followed and then, on 49’ minutes, a second try, well converted from the touch-line in swirling wind. In just 6 playing minutes Carrick had turned the game around and ‘Endrick had to dig in. Both sides got a bit angsty as tension mounted and, comically, the referee (who in general had a sound game) indicated ‘Endrick had scored a try – but he had mistaken the markings on the multi-sport pitch. With substitutes adding vigour, the visitors continued to press and on 66’, after conceding a series of penalties, the referee gave the Carrick prop a yellow card. Unbelievably, just one minute later, the substitute prop flopped over the ball in a maul near his own line and followed his team-mate into the bin. ‘Endrick made the most of their two-man advantage and Captain Calderwood crashed over for a try, converted by Brown. With 10’ to play Carrick led by only 20 – 15, so if Endrick could score another converted try they could record another famous win! Fergus Brown made an excellent break from his own half, but held on too long in the tackle and – to the delight of the home support – Carrick kicked another three points. With the game slipping away, Endrick continued to counter: on 79’ Morgan Lamb again made a good break but was isolated and a penalty ensued, followed by the final whistle.
Although disappointed to lose their 100% winning record this season, Strathendrick had to concede that, on the day, Carrick deserved their victory – and the Fintry boys will now concentrate on winning the league
Final score: Carrick 26 – Strathendrick 15
Duff Christmas Trees Man of the Match: Angus Morrison for consistently great work around the park and outstanding line-out play.
Next Saturday, 7 December, the 1st XV are away at Cumbernauld 2pm kick-off; and the 2nd XV are scheduled to play Lanarkshire at Fintry, also 2pm kick-off.