Published: Thursday, 18th January, 2007 11:28
Greens pay the penalty
Print Article
Newton Stewart 12 Helensburgh 5
DESPITE the poor weather Burgh braved the cold, but after their second defeat in two weeks they must have wished this fixture had been cancelled.
The shape of the game was set early on with the referee awarding the home side an easy penalty in front of the uprights. This was popped over to give the league's second-placed team a 3-0 lead.
Newton Stewart began to pin Helensburgh into their 22 until David Riding broke out and took play into opposition territory.
Burgh were not allowing the home side to settle and spirited defence led by Neil Sloan kept the ball tight within the pack to deny the opposition scoring chances.
The home side, using the wind, were back into the Burgh 22 and were awarded another soft penalty which was stroked over to increase the lead to Newton Stewart 6 Helensburgh 0, after 25 minutes.
Helensburgh continued to play a positive game with a high work rate around the fringes from Neil Campion and Johnnie Gibson ably supported by 18-year-old debutant Blair Sommerville.
However, Newton Stewart were given another penalty after 35 minutes and the lead was increased to 9-0.
Newton Stewart continued to press with the wind behind them but could not find a way through a resolute Burgh defence.
Just as Burgh looked to be holding their own, the referee awarded a penalty to the home side making it 12-0 at half-time.
Adam Drake came on in the front row for Murray Gard as Helensburgh adapted to playing with the gale behind.
The referee awarded Helensburgh a penalty from the restart but while this allowed a gain in territory, Burgh couldn't convert.
Helensburgh were maintaining a strong grasp on this game and a searing break by Neil Sloan saw play into the Newton Stewart red zone with Adam Drake and David Cameron taking the ball on to the opposition line.
Newton Stewart snaffled the ball on the ground and this attack was again absorbed.
Stevie Walker continued his sniping and gained ground for the hard working Helensburgh eight with David Calderwood and Colin Rettie leading by example.
The pitch was now looking worse for ware but composed play by the Helensburgh backs, adapting well to the conditions, now saw the game down into the Newton Stewart half.
Alistair Cairns slipped the defence after a quick ball to release James Welsh who scored a well-earned try after a lung-bursting sprint.
The referee initially awarded the conversion but then bizarrely withdrew the points making the final score Newton Stewart 12 Helensburgh 5.
Meanwhile, the Helensburgh second XV also travelled south to face Newton Stewart second XV and won 19-0.
Fourteen of these points were scored by veteran stand-off Andy Gowrie with the five point try run in by Stuart Holmes.
Hawick Linden are the visitors to Ardencaple to take on Helensburgh this Saturday in the first round of the National Bowl. Kick-off is 2pm.
Hart Insurance Man Of the Match — Blair Sommerville
HELENSBURGH: Welsh, Dunlop, Riding, Cairns, Cameron, Black, Walker, Melbourne, Campion, Gard, Rettie, Sommerville, Gibson, Sloan, Calderwood. Subs: Drake, Watt.
Rugby Union
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
