Helensburgh Advertiser | Sport | Madras too hot for 'burgh

Wednesday, 19th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 12th October, 2006 10:42

Madras too hot for 'burgh

Madras College FP .. 13 Helensburgh .. 13

HELENSBURGH travelled to St Andrews on Saturday for what looked like a tricky fixture against Madras — and so it proved.

Veterans Colin Rettie and Martin Caldwell started, replacing the unavailable David Calderwood and James Welsh, and James Miller took his place in the front row for his first start of the season after recovering from a broken ankle.

David McGrath was also out through injury, which brought Chris Black to stand-off and David Cameron switched from wing to full-back.

With all these changes a disjointed performance could have been expected but apart from the loss of an early try the team played with tremendous spirit and determination to try and record their first away victory of the season.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half, the Helensburgh players showed tremendous ball retention skills and were unlucky not to reach half-time in the lead.

Almost straight from the kick-off Madras worked an intricate and well timed back’s move to release their speedy right winger, who capitalised on the space afforded to him.

He ran in an excellent try which was converted to give the home side a seven point lead.

This did not deter The Greens as they spent most of the rest of this half in opposition territory, utilising some superb rucking to retain the ball and place pressure on the Madras defence.

This resulted in the home side conceding three kickable penalties, but due to a very tricky wind only one was converted, leaving the score at 7-3 for Madras at the break, but most observers thought that Helensburgh deserved the lead at this stage.

Madras realised that they had to up their game playing into the wind and did so, but the Burgh defence, which has been excellent all season, kept them from threatening their goal line.

Ten minutes into the half Burgh’s rucking again produced good, fast ball which was transferred to captain Neil Sloan who stepped inside the defence and sprinted over for a well deserved score, converted by Chris Black to give the visitors a deserver 10-7 lead.

It was then the turn of Madras to show their skills and with their right winger prominent, they started to look more dangerous, but great cover from the Burgh back row twice snuffed out the danger he caused.

This did not deter the home side and their positive play eventually won them two penalties which they converted to lead 13-10 with 10 minutes remaining.

Helensburgh were not going to let this one slip away and immediately threatened the Madras line, only for Owen McInroy to be felled by an outstanding tackle as he was about to cross the line.

The pressure continued on the home defence and eventually they gave away a penalty which Black converted, tying the scores.

Despite more Burgh pressure the defence held and the game finished a draw.

Both teams played their part in an enjoyable game of rugby but special mention should be made of the referee, who had an excellent game.

So often teams visiting the Caledonian region complain about decisions made by the referees, but on Saturday Burgh encountered one of the best officials they have come across in recent years.

Helensburgh: P Melbourne, O McInroy, J Miller, C Rettie, A Inglis, N Sloan, J Gibson, J Mussett, S Walker, C Black, M Caldwell, A Cairns, P Rogers, E Meadwell, D Cameron. Subs: M Sloan, M Mardell, C Wight.

The Hart Insurance Man of the Match award was shared by the Helensburgh back row.

Social Bookmarking What are these?