On a breezy day and soft pitch, Strathendrick 1st and 2nd XVs hosted Greenock in the first of this season’s double-headers. The 1st XV enjoyed a storming start – with Gregor Duncan scoring the opening try after only one minute and Morgan Lamb racing over for a second, only five minutes in – both converted by Duncan. It looked like Greenock were in for a long afternoon and were going to have trouble coping with ‘Endrick’s fast, free-flowing, running rugby. But the visitors started to play to their strengths and put pressure on in the scrums – and they worked their way back into the game. As in previous fixtures, the ‘Endrick team were giving away regular penalties and – after a warning from the referee – mid-way through the half, Morgan Lamb was carded for persistent team offences. Just a few minutes later Greenock were awarded a penalty applying pressure at the scrum and took advantage to score their opening try. But for the remainder of the half, ‘Endrick employed their exciting running game with breaks from Dow, Duncan and North before Ben Gibson cleverly dummied a kick and ghosted through the defence to score, converted again by Duncan. In the closing minutes ‘Endrick were again penalised at the scrum and given a further warning.

Half-time: Strathendrick 1st XV 21 Greenock 5

At the break changes were made moving Rory Duff into the front row, Finn Walford to the back row and Bruce Steel on in the second row, to help shore up the creaking scrummage. However, just five minutes later another penalty resulted in Steel being issued with a second team yellow and the visitors capitalised with a nice move in the centres resulting in a converted try. Restored to a full complement the home-side scrum stablised giving a better platform for their hard-running backs. After 56’ minutes Duncan scored the bonus-point try and converted it himself. Sound defensive sets followed with good exits shaped by Gibson and Dougie Duff. In the final ten minutes Strathendrick put a gloss on the score-line with tries by Finn Walford, following a great weaving running from Christiaan Lamb; before Lamb intercepted a loose pass and ran 50m to match his brother’s score; and finally Morgan Lamb made a bulldozing run before Rory Duff crossed for the game’s final try, converted by Duncan.

Final score Strathendrick 45 Greenock 12

Rory Kerr awarded The Duff’s Christmas Trees Player of the Match to Gregor Duncan for his 20-point contribution and mature all-display.