So this is game number 18 in the league campaign, the last of the season and those choosing to make the long trip to Stranraer had two main talking points – No 1. Could Strathendrick face 3rd placed Wigtownshire and continue their unbeaten league record? And - No 2. Who would finish in 2nd place to secure promotion?

Question 2 had more options in that if Wigtownshire could win and also take the bonus point for 4 or more tries they would finish above Carrick, if they win with no bonus point then they finish with equal points but lose out on points difference and Carrick go up or if Strathendrick do finish the season unbeaten then that leaves Carrick in the last promotion spot. So much to play for and not just another end of season, nothing at stake, match.

There was an anticipation amongst the home supporters hoping that today’s team could rise to the heights reached by the Wigtownshire Ladies the previous week when they were successful in the Women’s Shield Final at Murrayfield beating Greenock Wanderers 37 – 17. Congratulations Ladies!

At two minutes before 3 o’clock Wigtownshire kicked off with the wind at their backs in front of a vociferous home support. The early exchanges were frantic with both sides making serious attempts to gain the upper hand – the game moved to and fro between the 22m lines. On the first trip over the ‘Shire 22m line, 9 minutes played, ‘Endrick were awarded a scrum only to be immediately sent back over the halfway line when they were adjudged to have applied the push too early. They returned to their opponents 22m area a couple of minutes later only to be penalised again for hands in the ruck. From there the match continued to be fought out mainly in the middle of the park with ‘Endrick being warned by the referee about the number of penalties being conceded – a pattern which has continued throughout the season.

That said, it was Wigtownshire who conceded a penalty which offered ‘Endrick the first points of the game which were immediately taken as Fergus Brown took the three points on offer. 30 minutes on the clock although there had been a number of stoppages for injuries.

The next 10 minutes of play saw a number of changes to the ‘Endrick team as firstly Archie Symmonds replaced Ross Johnston in the 2nd row and two minutes later Angus Morrison was shown a yellow card having commented about on a penalty award. Four minutes later Finn Walford was also directed to the sin bin having been adjudged to have deliberately knocked the ball on – a somewhat harsh decision in my most humble opinion.

Two forwards down Finlay watt playing on the left wing was withdrawn and replaced by Jack Ronald to leave seven forwards against eight. Once again, the anticipated script when playing short handed was ignored and ‘Endrick continued the advance towards the ‘Shire line. One of these sorties, with well over 40 minutes having passed since kick off, ended with another penalty award in a kickable position which Fergus slotted to double the lead. There was to be no further scoring in the final moments of the first half.

Half time score Wigtownshire 0 – 6 Strathendrick

Now playing with the wind the confidence amongst the ‘Endrick squad appeared to be high and matched that of the number along the “visitors” touchline. In the first significant action of the half a Wigtownshire player was adjudged to have held in scrum half Dougie Duff at a ruck, 43 minutes gone. Captain Stevie Taylor elected for the kick at goal and up stepped Fergus for what appeared to be a fairly simple kick. As the ball travelled toward the posts with one touch judge starting to raise his flag, the ball struck the post and bounced back into the field of play to be gathered by Wigtownshire and cleared to touch.

Two minutes later ‘Endrick were back pressing towards their opponents try line and quick thinking by Fergus Brown saw him execute a cross field kick towards Findlay Kay on the right wing who gathered the ball and, with a step around the last defender, touched down for the first try of the match. Fergus then added the extra two points. ‘Endrick now had a 13 point lead with 35 minutes remaining.

It may have been that points difference which then drove Wigtownshire into action in the ‘Endrick 22 as they launched a series of strong forwards against an apparently resilient defence. As play inched towards the visitor’s try line the defence was momentarily found wanting and Wigtownshire recorded their first score of the day close to the posts adding seven points to their side of the scoreboard.

As this full paced contest continued, Wigtownshire were forced into a number of changes in personnel as the weight of tackles brought about some sore bodies.

Excitement on the 67 minute mark when from around the half way line Craig Mundell latched on to the ball and carried forward. Gregor Duncan was in support to receive the off load and progress towards the Wigtownshire posts – with Finn Walford in close support Gregor slipped a pass for Finn to be stopped just short of the line. The referee awarded a penalty for an offence in the tackle which, quick thinking Finn, tapped then passed to Fergus Brown who dived over from close range. Fergus then added the conversion to widen the points gap to 13.

To their credit Wigtownshire rallied from this disappointment and continued to contest the game. The last score of the match came with 79 minutes played when Gregor Duncan chased a high kick into the ‘Shire half and then did well to gather the bouncing ball before covering the remaining 30 metres to the try line avoiding the last line of defenders. This conversion was missed.

In the last 4 or so minutes allowed for the previous stoppages in play there was to be no further scoring. The contest ended when ‘Endrick were awarded a penalty just inside their own half. Hooker McKinley Paterson tapped the ball before then launching it into touch to bring this contest to an end.

Cheers and celebration for the visiting players and their supporters with generous applause from the Wigtownshire crowd and players.

Final score Wigtownshire 7 – 25 Strathendrick

Following the customary end of match applause from the pitch and team huddles – it was decided that it would be inappropriate to name an individual as the Duff Christmas Tree Farm Strathendrick Player of the Match. The team gathered below the posts for a post match photograph where it was suggested that all of the squad should be included in the Player of the Match gallery for this season just ended.

As we left the pitch coach Eddie Roche was asked for a quote on both the season’s outcome and today’s performance – his reply was “Job done” which rounded the day off nicely.

With the match and the season over the two questions posed before the match had been answered: Strathendrick played 18 league matches and won them all scoring 1064 points in the process, an average of over 59 per game with 159 points conceded, an average of 8.83 points per game – these stats may well be the best in Scottish league rugby this season. The answer to the 2nd question is that Carrick would be joining Strathendrick in Division 1 West next season, a fact which pleased the Carrick players who had travelled to watch and report back.

This season has been special in a number of ways, the spectacular efforts of the 1st XV being the headline but the league winning efforts of the 2nd XV deserving just as much headline room. A massive thanks to all who have played or contributed in any way to the spectacular efforts of the Men’s Rugby season, it has been great to watch and a pleasure to be close to.

With the annual dinner taking place next Saturday 3rd May – tickets still available, the last game Captain’s XV v President’s XV will take place at Fintry on 10th May kick off 3.00pm.

CJ