Strathendrick Under 18s v Lomond Helensburgh, 13 December 2025 – league match.

This was a key match in the challenge for the league.

Strathendrick were missing two key players from the pack, Kirk Suttie and Cal Murray both of which were injured in the last match.

Helensburgh were unable to field experienced front row players therefore the fixture was deemed to be a development game under SRU rules. This resulted in uncontested scrums for the entire match.

It was a dry day with a cold wind but the pitch was in good condition.

Strathendrick kicked off playing away from the Club house end of the pitch.

1st line out to Helensburgh. Not contested by Strathendrick. Ball played by Helensburgh out to their backs but at breakdown the referee awarded them a penalty as Strathendrick had strayed offside.

The Helensburgh player kicked a low spiral kick to the Strathendrick 22 touch line.

Helensburgh won the line out. Determined play by Strathendrick saw them win the ball back quickly from a breakdown ruck. An excellent clearing kick by Kerr Valenti up to half way relieved the pressure on the Strathendrick line.

Play continued but a late Strathendrick tackle gave Helensburgh a penalty kick near the half way line. The Helensburgh kicker stood up but did not make great distance with his effort.

At the lineout, Freddy Dawes was lifted high, winning the ball, delivering it down to Joseph Gould who made an accurate pass out to the backs. Strathendrick then kicked to the corner but Helensburgh were penalised for straying offside.

Strathendrick cleared their lines with a kick to just before half way.

Strathendrick continued to pressurise Helensburgh pinning them back at their 5 yard line.

Some good defensive work by Helensburgh kept Strathendrick out but an offside decision went against them.

Strathendrick took a quick tap penalty, ball was recycled out from the congested defensive line into, the safe and dependable hands of, Finlay Buchanan who drove over the line to score. A difficult angle made the kickers job difficult and as a result the conversion was missed.

Strathendrick led, 5 to 0.

At the restart the ball was caught by a Helensburgh player who dinked a neat chip over the advancing Strathendrick defensive. Strathendrick fullback, Euan Budge, caught the ball but was quickly tackled, the Helensburgh players went straight off their feet at the ruck. Penalty to Strathendrick.

More phases played out with Helensburgh in possession.

An unfortunate Helensburgh player, ball in hand, made the mistake running at Strathendrick’s Euan Brown who nearly split him half with a crunching tackle taking him straight to ground. Strathendrick supporting players were quickly over and won the ball back.

This gave the Strathendrick team a good morale boost.

The referee blew his whistle for a knock on by Helensburgh in the Strathendrick 22 area but quickly reversed his decision due to dessent by the Helensburgh players.

A few more phases resulted in an uncontested scrum to Helensburgh on the Strathendrick 22 line.

The ball came out of the scrum quickly and was passed effectively by the Helensburgh backs out to wing. This result in a try being scored in corner by Helensburgh

A difficult angle for the conversion resulted in this being missed by Helensburgh.

Score was now level at 5 to 5.

After the restart Helensburgh put pressure straight back on Strathendrick however an excellent clearance kick from the in goal area relieved pressure on Strathendrick.

A Line out to Helensburgh, which they won.

Knock on by Helensburgh, scrum to Strathendrick.

The smallest player on the pitch for Strathendrick, hooker Peter Smith, observed a gap in the defensive line, he picked the ball and ran at the defence but was unfortunately held up by the biggest player on the Helensburgh team. Scrum to Helensburgh.

A few more phases saw Strathendrick have possession of the ball.

A drive by Strathendrick prop George Thomson saw him brought down by a high tackle. Penalty awarded to Strathendrick.
Strathendrick kicked to touch.

Another flying high moment from Freddy Dawes saw him pluck the ball from air and send it down to the scrum half. Strathendrick then kicked to clear their lines.

Scrum on half way.

The ball came out to Strathendrick player who unfortunately kicked straight out. The referee brought play back to half way for line. Scrum to Helensburgh.

Another great crunching tackle by Euan Brown resulted in the ball falling loose. It was then recycled by Helensburgh out to their winger who scored in the corner.

The conversion was good. The score was now 5 to 12.

Helensburgh continued to utilise the chip and chase tactic which turned the Strathendrick defence.

A skilful pick up by Euan Budge saw him then skip past a couple of tackles making it to the 22 line.

The ball was then lost to Helensburgh who kicked to clear their line.

Their kick failed to make touch and was picked up by the Strathendrick winger, Jack McVicar. He took off down the line cheered on by the Strathendrick supporters. He swatted away the Helensburgh tackler with an excellent fend, then whilst running at full speed performed a one handed off load inside to the Strathendrick centre. Superb skill.

After a few phases Strathendrick made it to the Helensburgh 22 area. Another defence splitting line break by Strathendrick prop Finlay Buchanan resulted in desperate defence with a high, round the neck, tackle by two of Helensburgh defenders.
Penalty to Strathendrick on the 5 yard line.

A single focussed drive by the rampaging Ollie Wilson resulted in ground being made. He passed the ball out. Further passes quickly across the Strathendrick back line to wing Jack McVicar who scored the try.

A missed conversion made the score now 10 to 12.

Second half start by Helensburgh.

Knock on by Helensburgh scrum to Strathendrick.

A kick through by Kerr Valenti was gathered by Archie Horsburgh. The ball was then kicked forward by Kerr knocked on by Helensburgh fullback.

Penalty kick from halfway line by Helensburgh resulted in a lineout at 22.

Penalty to Helensburgh on their 22. Strathendrick ball.

Penalty awarded to Helensburgh for offside. Try scored by Helensburgh.

Conversion missed

Score now 10 to 17.

Restart by Strathendrick

Strathendrick pass the ball through hands however it was dropped by a centre. Scrum to Helensburgh.

Helensburgh were using the kicking game more and more as they had the wind to their backs.

A kick into the Strathendrick 22 area saw fullback, Euan Budge, catch the ball and call for the mark.

A few more phases saw another great drive forward by Ollie Wilson, who offloaded the ball to John Winther who drove forward to 22 line.

A great break by Jack McVicar ball across to winger tackled advantage to Strathendrick.

Strathendrick were penalised for tackling the Helensburgh number 9 before he had lifted ball at ruck. The resultant penalty was kicked to corner

Referee overturned decision of knock on due to dessent from Helensburgh.

A few more phases saw Helensburgh crash over the Strathendrick try line only to be held up by the stern Strathendrick defence.

Strathendrick player then ran to middle of drop goal area, drop kicked with intention of getting the ball to the winger however it was lost with Helensburgh kicking through and diving on ball.

Score to Helensburgh

Conversion was good to Helensburgh

Score now 10 to 24

A quick restart from Kerr Valenti, Strathendrick, was again caught by Helensburgh and kicked right back to midway and out of play.

A marauding Callum Beeley darted across the pitch before passing to Archie Horsburgh who was then bundled into touch.
Kick by Helensburgh into 22, Strathendrick players, in the eyes of the referee, intentionally blocked the path of the Helensburgh runner. Penalty to Helensburgh.

A kick penalty was scored by Helensburgh.

Score now 10 to 27

Another quick restart by Kerr Valenti.

A great tackle by Strathendrick winger Reuben Brown, knocked the ball forward from the Helensburgh player’s hand. Scrum to Strathendrick.

Strathendrick centre, the galloping Goodier (Toby), burst through the Helensburgh defence making good distance into the Helensburgh area. The ball was then recycled out to wing with winger Reuben Brown evading tacklers to score in the corner.

The conversion missed. Score was now 15 to 27.

Helensburgh kicked to restart with 2 minutes left to play.

Charging forward like an angry rhino, Strathendrick’s Gregor Leckie, ball in hand, ran straight at the Helensburgh defence. The Strathendrick supporters recoiled on hearing the crunch of the collision which the made Helensburgh defender fly back onto his rear. His actions also received huge cheers from the assembled 1st team players watching from the sideline.

Shortly afterwards the referee blew the final whistle, 15 to 27 final score.

Strathendrick however are awarded the points for the fixture as it was played a development match given Helensburgh could not field a front row.

Player of match Euan Brown