On a frosty morning with zero temperatures, we welcomed the boys from Glasgow Academy to Fintry Sports Club for a chilly but exciting game of rugby. Academy provided a similar mixed side with S3 topped up by 4-5 S4 A team players. Academy were short a player so we topped them up by rotating Balfron players through the side.
Played over 3 X20 minute sessions, the game started quickly with both sides looking to make an impression. Balfron took control in the first 5 minutes with good offensive attacks. The boys strung together 4 or 5 good passes through the backs before Michael Hewitt received the ball and ran through the 2 or 3 players across their 22 and over the try line. This was converted by Mikey Heron.
A couple of minutes later the forwards worked into the opposition 22 with excellent support play and off-loads. Keir Singleton drove across the line to score the second try.

Glasgow followed up their kick off by working their way into the Balfron 22. Following a ruck, Balfron/Endrick turned over the ball and the forwards drove up to the halfway line. Some excellent forward support play released Anthony Eckersley who broke through 2 tackles and ran 25 metres to touch down for a try.

The traffic was fairly one way after the first 20 minutes and so Balfron evened up the sides giving them Anthony Eckersley for 20 minutes. This had an immediate positive effect with Anthony breaking through the Balfron defence to record Glasgow’s first try.
Balfron responded with a breakaway try from Michael Hewitt who streaked down the left side to cross the line. The Glasgow side didn’t give up and continued to defend with vim and vigour. Following a Balfron line out, the ball was quickly passed along the backs to the wing where Hugh Johnson used his speed and skill to make it across the line for Balfron’s 5th try.

In the final 3rd of the game Glasgow Academy had a further injury so Balfron provided 2 players Michael Hewitt and William Boyd to represent the opposition. Both players added extra energy and attacking speed for the Glasgow side and for 5 minutes they were camped in the Balfron/Endrick line. Excellent commitment and tacking from the Balfron boys kept the Glasgow away from the try line and were able to clear the ball. Balfron went on the offensive scoring a further try with Mikey Heron dancing through 3 or 4 players moving from the left side of the pitch to the right and touching down to the right of the posts.
The last 10 minutes were frustrating for the Balfron players as they conceded 5 or 6 penalties whilst attacking the Glasgow Academy half. Persistence of the Balfron side led to the final try again from Mikey Heron.

A great team performance from everyone and another great win from the team!

Tries: Michael Hewitt 2, Anthony Eckersley 2 (1 for each side!!), Hugh Johnson, Kier Singleton , Mikey Heron 2

Conversions: Mikey Heron 4

Man of the Match: Michael Hewitt, Anthony Eckersley
Best Individual Tackle: Andrew Findlay, Mikey Heron
Special Commendation: William Boyd, Kier Singleton
Most Improved: Jack Sullivan, Will Kerr, Cammie Ross

Squad members: Marco Heron, Struan Agnew, Michael Hewitt, Craig Kay, Andrew Findlay, Ewan Bolton, Kier Singleton, Murray Watt, William Boyd, Mikey Heron, Lachlan Pemberton-Pigott, Cammie Ross, Will Kerr, Hugh Johnson, Jack Pimley, Jack Sullivan, Anthony Eckersley