Published: Friday, 5th January, 2007 14:02
Two-year Burgh away slump over
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Lismore 8 Helensburgh 27
HELENSBURGH celebrated the start of 2007 with their first away win in TWO years.
Burgh were without coach Charlie Dunlop for the trip to Edinburgh, with the side taken by forwards' coach, Liam MacIntyre, assisted by Callum Melbourne.
In addition there were four players from the junior 15s in the squad, each of which were to have an impact on the outcome of the game.
The away side started the match confidently and after a missed penalty, scored their first try when Riding burst through the home defence.
The big Lismore pack worked hard to break down the Burgh defence and scored a penalty to make it 5-3 after 15 minutes.
Helensburgh continued to demonstrate a wide range of skills and the strong running Rogers linked well with full-back Linzee-Gordon but they were unable to break through the last line of defence.
Burgh continued to dominate possession with captain Sloan and Campbell combining well but failed to build on their two point advantage and the score remained 5-3 at half-time.
Helensburgh replaced Rogers with Henderson — who made his first start — as Lismore kicked off the second period.
The home side's half-time team talk seemed to have worked as the forwards began to break down.
A well-timed move saw the Lismore centre through the visitors' defence with only the Linzee Gordon to beat.
After a foul, the home side were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Helensburgh were reduced to 14 men for the next 10 minutes.
However, the defining moment of the game followed when the Lismore captain chose to run the penalty rather than kick the points — which resulted in Burgh winning back possession.
Helensburgh, now a man down, upped their work rate and a break by Cairns took play into the Lismore 22 before he was eventually halted.
Walker was quick to break down and intelligent play by Henderson allowed Sloan to push his way over for a try with 12 minutes of the half played.
This new-found confidence helped Helensburgh score again when Walker allowed Cairns to neatly slice through the gap and touch down under the posts.
Black converted to take the score with 15 minutes of the second period played to Lismore 3 Helensburgh 17.
Burgh appeared to relax when Linzee-Gordon returned to the action but managed to lose a try, to make it Lismore 8 Helensburgh 17.
Dunlop's men have struggled in recent games during the final quarter but a more clinical approach saw the killer fourth try delivered with style.
The move was started by veteran prop, Melbourne, through Black who then had Gibson and Walker in support.
Out wide was young Henderson who took the ball at pace and brushed the defence aside to touch down. The try was converted by Black making the final score 27-8 to Helensburgh.
The result proved to be very significant as it broke the two season away drought and put the team in a strong position for 2007, with a number of young players making the squad.
Hart insurance man of the match: Calderwood.
Helensburgh: Linzee-Gordon, Campbell, Rogers, Cairns, Riding, Black, Walker, Melbourne, MacNee, Gard, Rettie, MacInroy, Gibson, N Sloan, Calderwood. Subs: Brown, Boyd, Henderson.
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