Published: Monday, 21st January, 2008 12:30
An ugly affair at Ardencaple
By By Calum McNicol
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Helensburgh 26 - Glenrothes 7
A MUCH needed victory for Helensburgh was overshadowed by one of the ugliest encounters ever witnessed at Ardencaple.
Too often ressembling a scene from the movie Fight Club, match referee Mr Stark came under fire from the home crowd after failing to pick up on numerous dirty play from the Glenrothes side.
Stark later described Ardencaple as his most feared destination — save for Stirling County — due to the partisan crowd but the match official did little to enhance his chances of a friendlier welcome on any future visits.
The Fifers pack seemed more interested in swinging fists, pulling jerseys and aiming boots at their opponents than playing rugby.
Thankfully, in the end, the rugby playing approach prevailed and the only negative in Burgh’s
performance was the number of missed chances. In the second half particularly, searing breaks by Neil Sloan, Mark Tyson, Stevie Walker and Ally Cairns went unrewarded be it for a wrong decision, mishandled pass or despairing tackle.
While the Burgh players were unable to pick up a bonus point, the backs put on a stunning show, as lively adventurous and penetrative as has been seen in a long while.
Tyson’s lovely running angles
created havoc in midfield and David Riding answered his critics with an assured display at full-back.
Fly-half Chris Black controlled play well with an astute boot and it was he who kicked Burgh ahead then converted the first try of the match when Phil Rogers brilliantly scythed through several tackles to score
midway through the half.
Then came the first moment of madness. Winger Elliot Meadwell was tripped, Black rushed in
foolishly to confront the tripper and a mass mêlée ensued. When the
situation was defused, Mr Clark opted to show yellow cards for Black and the footloose Fifer.
The barney unsettled the young Greens and Glenrothes took full advantage with a converted try but Black countered with a penalty to leave Burgh 13-7 ahead at the break.
The unsavoury stuff continued in the second half, spoiling what was otherwise a competitive match.
Burgh were never in danger of losing the game, but lost their way until substitute James Musset came into the back-line off lineout ball and romped clear, punching the air in delight as he raced under the posts. Black
converted and later kicked two
penalties to seal a comprehensive victory.
Burgh now sit in seventh place and out of the relegation mire. But they cannot afford to relax one iota when they visit Trinity in Edinburgh on Saturday. They are one point in front of the FP’s, who have a game in hand on the Greens.
Burgh: Riding, Rogers, Cairns, Tyson, Black, Meadwell, Walker, Brown, McInroy, Gard, Calderwood, Brown, Cantello, Sloan, Somerville. Subs: Inglis, Musset, Drake.
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No rest for Olympic sailing hero