Helensburgh Advertiser | Sport | Burgh too hot for Madras

Wednesday, 7th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 1st February, 2007 10:14

Burgh too hot for Madras

HELENSBURGH got back to winning ways with a sizzling home win over Madras College.

The tone of the game was set early on with a strong run from David Riding breaching the visitors' red zone but a penalty against Helensburgh halted this attack.

Burgh took the lead after only six minutes following a series of neat passes between Chris Black and Riding resulted in the big centre slicing the defence to score the opening try.

James Welsh kicked over the conversion to make the score Helensburgh 7 Madras 0. The home side then went 10-0 from a Welsh penalty after Madras fringed at the breakdown, minutes later.

The alert Helensburgh back row of Johnnie Gibson, Neil Sloan and James Musset were quashing the efforts of the Madras pack as they tried to dominate in centre field.

The Greens won another penalty as the Madras forwards again transgressed at the breakdown after 25 minutes. Welsh extended the lead to Helensburgh 13 Madras 0.

Helensburgh had been denying their visitors possession but from the restart kick Madras ran straight at the Burgh defence.

First time tackles were missed which eventually resulted in a try. The conversion was slotted between the uprights to reduce the deficit to 13-7 with less than 30 minutes on the clock.

Helensburgh continued to control the game when the ball was taken on from a set piece and James Musset slipped the defence for a powerful 30 metre run to touch down with five minutes to go until half-time. Welsh failed to convert leaving the score at 18-7 at the break.

Adam Drake was brought back on as Murray Gard was rested for Helensburgh and Madras kicked off for the second period.

Mark Sloan injured an ankle in defence and was replaced by Dean Wight for the home side, as Madras continued to favour their pack and a series of well executed pick and drive moves saw Helensburgh again on the back foot.

Neil Sloan was now in the wars too and was replaced by his twin brother.

The Helensburgh backs were taking the ball at pace with Alistair Cairns trying to punch holes in the opposition three-quarter line but a clever Chris Black chip kick then saw Burgh in behind the away defence.

Hooker Neil Campion found himself out wide and with a perfectly timed pass out of the tackle provided Welsh with the opportunity to run in try number three.

The conversion drifted wide but with 15 minutes left on the clock the score was extended to Helensburgh 23 Madras 7.

With time running down, Helensburgh were having difficulty in finding a way through for the all important fourth try but another well balanced chip kick from Black forced the opposition back into their 22.

Helensburgh's forwards followed up and were quick to the breakdown.

Campion picked up from the base to deliver the ball to Musset who burst through the defence and touched down. The conversion went wide but it finished 28-7.

HART INSURANCE MAN OF THE MATCH: James Musset

HELENSBURGH: Welsh, Walker, Cairns, Riding, Cameron, Black, M Sloan, Melbourne, Campion, Drake, McInroy, Inglis, Gibson, N Sloan Musset. Subs: Wight, Gard, McIntyre.

The cancelled National Bowl clash against Hawick Lindean will be played this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm, to allow spectators to see England v Scotland.

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