Published: Thursday, 5th October, 2006 10:52
'Burgh muscled out
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Helensburgh .. 3 Newton Stewart .. 11
HELENSBURGH’S winning ways at home came to an abrupt halt on Saturday when they lost this dogged encounter to a Newton Stewart side that quite simply showed the greater desire to win.
Burgh’s poor away record, which has seen them win only once on the road in the last two seasons, has been countered by their excellent home form which has seen Ardencaple become an almost impregnable fortress in recent times.
Saturday saw that standard lowered however, by the team from the south west whose powerful pack out-muscled the Burgh eight.
The visitors started brightly and pushed the home side into their 22, but a good lineout steal by Inglis allowed McGrath to clear up-field.
The pressure continued, however, and on the five minute mark the visitors were awarded a penalty which their stand-off converted to give them a 3-0 lead.
The Greens responded brightly and within a minute had won a penalty on the New Stewart 22, from which full-back Black levelled the scores.
This seemed to galvanise the home side. From good driving play by Melbourne and Gibson on the right, the ball was spun left to Black to send Welsh away.
The speedy winger was held up just short of the line and Newton Stewart cleared up-field.
A period of very scrappy play followed with the much heavier visiting pack putting the Greens under constant pressure.
What usable ball the home team got was often lost in the midfield, where over-complicated moves led to play breaking down and the ball being turned over.
Calderwood was putting himself about and leading by example and Inglis was stealing Newton Stewart line-outs on a regular basis, but Burgh escaped going behind when the visitors missed a straight forward penalty in front of the posts.
Following the let-off, full-back Black just shaved the outside of the Newton Stewart posts with a long range effort from 45 metres.
James Miller made a welcome return after a long injury lay-off, replacing young Gard in the front row.
As half-time neared a flood of penalties went Newton Stewart’s way, much to the bemusement of the home support, but the score at the interval remained 3-3.
The second half was much the same as the first, with Musset showing up well and Black defending strongly at full-back.
M Sloan replaced Walker at scrum-half and Miller and Gard exchanged propping duties.
A strong direct run from Cairns was halted when Calderwood was adjudged accidental off-side and the stalemate was only finally broken on the 65 minute mark, when Newton Stewart landed a successful penalty attempt to take the lead 6-3.
Black then missed from long range and Walker returned to replace Sloan, who had a hand injury.
As the clock was running down Burgh’s best attack of the game developed following a cracking tackle by N Sloan, but again the ball was spilled with the line tantalizingly close.
The visitors rampaged downfield and their big pack drove over Greens’ line, but the referee adjudged that the ball was held up.
Burgh’s stalwart defending came to nothing however, as with almost 10 minutes of injury inexplicably played, a penalty was awarded.
McGrath’s kick failed to find touch and the opposition spun the ball wide for their winger to chip ahead, re-gather and score the game’s only try.
The conversion attempt failed, but the try denied the home side even a point, and they now face two difficult away matches at Madras and Dumfries.
Helensburgh: Gard, McInroy, Melbourne, Calderwood, Inglis, N Sloan, Musset, Gibson, Walker, McGrath, Welsh, Cairns, Roger, Cameron, Black. Subs: Miller, M Sloan.
Helensburgh Man of the Match — D Calderwood.
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