Published: Thursday, 16th November, 2006 11:43
Away win eludes Burgh
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Helensburgh .. 3 Ross High .. 3
THIS game marked the half way point of the season, with Burgh sitting in mid-table and still chasing that first away win.
The venue on Saturday was more suited to water polo than rugby, with large puddles on the pitch and a strong gale blowing.
The Burgh had the wind and the slope in their favour but their makeshift 15 made heavy weather of the heavy conditions.
The opposition kicked off and, with their large pack, set the scene early on, dominating the line-out and playing a tight game.
Ross High retained the ball in the pack and were contolling both territory and possesion.
Helensburgh eventually adapted to conditions that did not suit their style of rugby and a number of strong runs by Neil Sloan drove play into the opposition red zone.
Walker from the base of a ruck came close, but the ball was fly hacked out of danger.
Veteren winger Caldwell broke up the touchline but was heavily tackled, damaging an ankle.
He was replaced by club coach Charlie Dunlop on 25 minutes.
Helensburgh managed to maintain their momentum, moving the ball around in the opposition 22, and were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes as the opposition tried to slow the game down.
Black put the ball between the posts to open the scoring.
The half was played out with the Burgh maintaining the slenderest of leads, knowing that they would be playing uphill in the second period.
Helensburgh started the second 40 but it was the home side who were again relishing the conditions, never allowing the Burgh to settle.
The wind shifted and now Black was finding line-kicking difficult.
Big boots from the opposition pinned the Burgh in their 22 but stong tackling by Rettie and MacInroy were stopping the forward rushes in their tracks.
A dangerous 10 minutes saw the opposition pack, complete with raking boots, continuously driving at the Burgh line but the lighter-weight Burgh eight were supreme in defence.
This great effort raised Burgh’s spirits and they drove upfield.
With another forward rush the home side were again back into the Burgh 22, where they were awarded a penalty for offside.
This was converted to level the score.
The home side and their support were sensing a win and a change in attack saw their athletic number seven running at the Burgh defence.
Helensburgh responded by playing the best rugby of the game, with Sloan again leading the break-out, supported by Rogers and veteran coach Dunlop sprinting up the touchline, only to be bundled out on the five metres line.
Ross High won the line-out and kicked clear, but the Burgh were soon back up into the opposition 22, with a jinky run from Campion followed by a clever break from Melbourne making great ground but lacking support.
Play was then switched wide through Cairns, but as the line was in focus the ever optimistic Welsh was penalised for apparently crossing.
The burgh could not find a way through in the atrocious conditions.
Ross High won possession at the line-out and rumbled down into the Burgh half.
They were awarded a penalty 30 metres out with the wind behind, but it drifted wide to leave the scores level at full-time.
This had been a dour contest with no lack of endeavour from each of the Burgh players, but the try-line at away venues remains intact.
The Hart Insurance man-of-the-match was Neil Sloan.
Helensburgh: Melbourne, Campion, Gard, Miller, Rettie, Gibson, Sloan, MacInroy, Walker, Black, Caldwell, Cairns, Rogers, Welsh, Cameron. Subs: Dunlop, MacNee, Sommerville.
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