It was Saturday and the 2nd XV had their first outing of the season at Fintry, with the 1st team away on league business at Birkmyre they had the place to themselves, except for the film crew who had taken over the car park. In the end it looked like the movie folk were happy to mix with the real stars of the day.

As the match kicked off and both teams tested their opposition’s strengths and weaknesses it was Cartha who were first on the scoreboard as after a short period of sustained pressure they drove the ball across the tryline for the first score of the day for an unconverted try. Six minutes played and the home side trailed by five points.

Another six minutes of sparring then took place, not literally, and ‘Endrick put together a phase of good open play where they retained possession through five or six phases to let Chris (Tooney) Jewell break through the last defences for a try which he then converted.

The remainder of the first quarter had nothing much more to excite the spectators, both teams guilty of basic errors and fairly equally matched.
There had been no movement to the scoreboard until two minutes before half time when having applied some pressure close to their opponent’s line Tim Moore saw the chance to put another five points on ‘Endrick’s score. Again “Tooney“ was on hand to add the extra two points.

In the last play of the half ‘Endrick were awarded a penalty some distance out and, with a helpin wind, decided to take a shot at goal. The kick was missed and the referee signalled half time.

Half time score – Strathendrick 14-5 Cartha Queens Park

The wind was now at the back of Cartha and, wisely, they kept the ball in the home side’s 22m area as they pushed for a score. Under pressure ‘Endrick conceded a penalty at a tackle which was quickly tapped and moved through the hands. At the next breakdown, Endrick conceded another penalty which, again, was taken quickly and Cartha bundled over for their second try of the match. With the conversion missed the margin was down to four points and we were only five minutes into the 2nd half.

While the wind was not especially strong it was helping the visitors. ‘Endrick, however, battled forward and after a further 15 minutes forced Cartha into conceding a penalty on their 22m line. Captain and kicker “Tooney” again elected to attempt a kick for goal and, this time, was successful in adding three points.

‘Endrick were now enjoying a period of superiority as a few younger players had upped the pace of the game – this is not a reference to Stuart McGill coming on! When an attack was successfully stopped by the Cartha defence, the ball was quickly recycled and moved from left to right through the hands of a number of players – it ended in the control of youngster Liam Ellington who drifted between 2 defenders before showing an unmatched turn of speed to the try line. “Tooney” then missed his first conversion kick of the day, but ‘Endrick had a 12 point lead and the try bonus point - 64 minutes played.

Five minutes later it was another youngster Jack Ronald who outpaced the defence to draw the last man and pass to the supporting Cameron McCooey who touched down at the posts. Jack Ronald then added the extra 2 points to the try that he had engineered.

10 minutes of the match remained and Cartha showed that they were not a spent force as they camped on the ‘Endrick try line. The defensive efforts of the home side were commendable but, under severe pressure, could not withstand the onslaught as the visitors finally burst through the dam. Again the try was unconverted.

With one minute of time remaining ‘Endrick were awarded a penalty on the half way line. It was quickly taken and the ball moved towards the Cartha posts. There was then a display of support running which was, perhaps, the best seen in the match before Patrick Beaumont – definitely not Dave – who scored the last try of the day. As the conversion attempt missed the referee, who had given a more that fine performance, blew for full time.

The 2’s had secured a bonus point and were undefeated in their league matches – 2 out of 2.

Full time score – Strathendrick 34-15 Cartha Queens Park

Will Boyd was given the title of Strathendrick 2nd XV - Duff Christmas Tree Farm - Man of the Match having given a quality all round performance.

Next week the 2nd XV have another league match when the travel to Cambuslang for a 3.00pm kick off. It would be more than helpful if the players in the 2’s squad could confirm their availability for this one as soon as possible – Just send “Tooney” a text.

CJ