This was a re-arranged the fixture, the original game of 23rd November being postponed due to snow. It was also the start of a series of five fixtures to complete the league programme, all of which are from previously postponed games which fell victim to various weather conditions.

Confidence amongst the playing squad was high given the series of results since the start of 2025. Those who now gathered on the touchline and had some experience of numerous trips to Coatbridge were more cautious, citing a number of game changing injuries over past years which required a visit to Monklands A&E. This has often been an unlucky venue for Strathendrick.

Today’s opposition, currently 4th place in the league and fairly safe to finish there, would be the highest place side ‘Endrick had faced in 2025.

With the previous week’s wedding guests available for selection, coach Eddie Roche could list a full 15 and chose five replacements. The team selected suggested that the opposition would offer a forward dominated game plan which, with the prevailing underfoot conditions would, test the ‘Endrick resolve. Welcome back, from NZ, Gregor Duncan, his last ‘Endrick appearance was 12th October at Carrick.

Around three hours before the scheduled 3.00 pm kick off the rain started so making sure that the pitch would best suit the home side. It was the visitors, however, who started the sharper of the two teams. With six minutes played ‘Endrick won a line out on their left flank and put together an impressive phase of play which ended with Christiaan Lamb cruising past his opposite number on the right wing and touching down for a try at the posts so offering last week’s 100% kicker, Fergus Brown the most simple of conversion which he duly accepted.

The condition of the pitch along with the continuing rainfall and a definite lack of any heat were beginning to have an effect on the game – W/D continued with a tight forwards game, the ball rarely moving any wider than the no 12 while ‘Endrick defended strongly but attempted to play a more expansive game. It was ‘Endrick who recorded the next score when, from a quickly taken tap penalty, McKinley Paterson made a considerable gain crashing through the W/D defenders and offloading to the supporting Angus North who covered the remaining yards in typical style for another try at the posts – Fergus again added the points for the conversion.

Neither side could establish the domination they sought as when control seemed likely the ball was lost forward, probably due to cold hands, or a penalty conceded.

As the clock approached 38 minutes W/D were awarded a penalty and elected to kick for goal. This proved to be a good decision as they set their side of the scoreboard moving with three points.

There followed a further six minutes of play during which, with W/D threatening the ‘Endrick line, the defence conceded a stream of penalties, most often for offside, which gave W/D the opportunity to send their big forwards charging towards the try line time after time eventually being successful in the 4th minute of added time recording an unconverted try to close the half.

Half time score; Waysiders/Drumpellier 8 - 14 Strathendrick

The scoring in the second 40 minutes started when ,after two minutes, ‘Endrick were awarded a penalty for a W/D offence at a ruck. Keen to stretch their lead Captain Stevie Taylor elected to go for goal and Fergus maintained his 100% record adding a further three points.

A few minutes later there was some confusion as a loose ball eventually ended up with Angus North who immediately headed up field supported on his right hand side by Bruce Steel. As the last defender was drawn and the pass released, the crowd travelling supporters groaned as the ball was fumbled and knocked forward with the try line unguarded.

Both sides continued to fall foul of the referee’s requirements and penalties were aplenty. One such award gave Dougie Duff the opportunity to take a quick tap and go only to be seized by an offside W/D player who was immediately given a 10 minute rest.

From a spectator’s perspective the match was hard to watch as too many errors were committed by both sides. ‘Endrick had introduced a number of replacements seeking to instil a fresh perspective to the game plan but it did offer Ewan (Pieman) MacKay, a late addition to the bench, the opportunity to get involved.

As the game moved into its last 10 minutes the rain went off and the sun threatened to shine but that could not change the face of this game. As W/D conceded another penalty, this time being ruled offside, Fergus claimed a further three points.

Then, as the clock moved onto the 80 minute mark, ‘Endrick chased a final score sending players charging at the W/D line with no success until the ever youthful Pieman gathered the ball and in a devastating move finished from all of three feet out. This was his 3rd try in the last 3 matches each coming from his place on the bench. As Fergus added the extra two points the referee signalled full time.

Full time score; Waysiders/Drumpellier 8 - 27 Strathendrick

This was a win in difficult conditions against a team who played to their strength and while there was no bonus point the team will benefit from having played this difficult fixture as they set themselves for the remaining four league games. The first of these is next Saturday when the squad make the trip to Cumbernauld for a 3.00pm kick off. Cumbernauld will be no easy opponents as they fight to move away from the foot of the table – all support would be very much appreciated.

The Duff Christmas Tree Farm 1st XV Man of the Match award was given to Bruce Steel who, despite his noted handling error, put in a significant shift which included a couple of storming charges and an impressive number of tackles.

CJ