Published: Thursday, 21st September, 2006 10:40
'Burgh are just awesome
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Helensburgh .. 63 Glenrothes .. 3
HELENSBURGH’S excellent home form continued on Saturday as they crushed visitors Glenrothes in an impressive display.
The Burgh squad were still smarting from their poor away performance the previous week and were determined to make amends in front of a large and vociferous crowd at Ardencaple.
Glenrothes kicked off and were quickly into their stride as they turned over loose Helensburgh possession to create early pressure.
Burgh responded and drove down field with Melbourne to the fore, who released centre Rogers to open the scoring with five minutes played.
Glenrothes regained their composure and were immediately awarded a kickable penalty that drifted wide, but it didn’t deter the visitors, who were camping in the Helensburgh red zone.
The home try line was under constant threat as the referee awarded the visitors eight penalties in succession, but they were unable to capitalise on this generosity.
Burgh continued to absorb the pressure until Rogers, running out of defence, beat his man and then quick ball through the McGrath and Cairns combo presented Rogers on the loop with the opportunity to touch down, against the run of play, for try number two. Black converted.
Dominance in the line out by Gibson and Calderwood was providing the home backs with a supply of quality ball, but an effective Glenrothes drift defence contained Helensburgh attacks.
The visitors were awarded yet another penalty and were finally able to put points on the board.
On one of their few forays into opposition territory Helensburgh won clean line out ball.
Gibson found his back row compatriot Musset raring to go and a storming 25 metre run resulted in try number three.
Helensburgh continued to build on this success and good understanding between Cairns and McGrath saw play again down into the visitors’ 22.
Burgh retained ball at the break down and Melbourne beat the defence for the vital fourth try on the stroke of half-time.
This had been a peculiar 40 minute period as the referee had awarded copious penalties to the opposition, who had the lions share of territory plus good pressure, but the opportunistic home side were leading by twenty one points.
Burgh restarted the second period with McGrath then Gibson and Calderwood running straight and hard at the opposition try line and, to the home support’s surprise, won a penalty. Black slotted this over to open the second half scoring.
But there was more controversy as the referee awarded the hard working Musset a yellow card.
The 14-man Helensburgh squad now upped their work rate, with N Sloan leading by example at the breakdown to pick and go to put Gibson in for try number five.
Black was rested from full back, allowing Cameron into the fray.
This continued increase in pace was beginning to tell on the opposition and a well timed pass from Cairns put Welsh away to touch down.
The Helensburgh backs were now on song and Cairns, who had provided vital support in the earlier scores, went on his own and burst through the tiring defence to touch down. Walker was then replaced by M Sloan at scrum half.
Glenrothes continued to look for a way through the strong Burgh defence and accurate line kicking took play up to within five metres of the Burgh line, but smart spoiling saw Burgh turn over the ball and the McGrath boot relieved this momentary pressure.
Helensburgh were soon back up into the opposition half with an aggressive run from M Sloan to allow Cairns to gain more yardage before offloading to N Sloan to touch down under the posts, with McGrath converting.
The home side maintained their concentration and application to again drive play up into the opposition 22, with Gard and Floyd taking the ball on.
Slick service from the second phase saw McGrath, with a classic side step, beat the defence and then convert his own try.
With the clock running down Glenrothes were desperately looking for a consolation try and from the restart pressed down into the Helensburgh red zone and spread the ball wide.
Burgh, however, were committed to end the game in style and their Canadian flyer Welsh intercepted and ran the length of the field whilst turning the defence inside out to score try number 10. McGrath’s successful conversion took the final score to Helensburgh 63 Glenrothes 3.
This was another good home win but will the Burgh be able to overcome their away bogey at Lenzie next week?
Helensburgh: Black, Meadwell, Cairns, Rogers, Welsh, McGrath, Walker, Melbourne, Floyd, Gard, Calderwood, McInroy, Gibson, N Sloan, Musset. Subs: M Sloan, Cameron, White.
Hart Insurance Man of the Match — Rogers.
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