Published: Thursday, 7th February, 2008 09:30
Burgh bowled out of the cup
By David Christie
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Garnock 39 - Helensburgh 3
Pic by: Joe Mulgrew
BURGH swapped the cup for a bowl after their depleted side were put to the sword by Garnock.
The Lochwinnoch side have been setting the pace in National Division One and they proved too strong for the patchwork Burgh side.
Injury and illness meant regular starters Cairns, Riding and the Greens’ captain, Neil Sloan were not in action.
Instead, coach Liam McIntyre fielded Holmes and Gowrie at centre with Rettie and Rogers on the wings and Tyson at full back as he shuffled the pack.
In bitterly wet and cold conditions, Helensburgh started brightly against their much heavier opponents but were soon under pressure and the half back pairing of Walker and Chris Black tested in their defensive duties.
However, just as Helensburgh were beginning to apply some pressure, the home side broke through twice in quick succession.
The first came as Burgh lost their scrum against the head and Garnock scored out on the left.
With the Greens still reeling, Garnock then burst down the opposite side, sending their winger in unopposed.
Though 10-0 down, Burgh did not cave in and a great break by Tyson supported by Musset drove took them into the opposing 22 and earned the side a penalty which Black duly converted.
After this, experience and physicality were becoming obvious, and a series of rolling mauls appeared ominous before the best try of the match was scored.
From the right touchline, the ball was moved quickly left and with the stand off appearing to be about to spread the ball wide, he delivered a beautiful reverse pass to the intruding blind side winger to score under the posts.
Garnock added another try from a kick and chase, leaving the score at
24-3 at half-time.
Musset and Gowrie came off injured, replaced by Ruskin in the back row and Inglis in the unaccustomed wing position.
He immediately made his presence felt with a good save from a kick ahead, and as in the first half, Helensburgh gave a very spirited account of themselves in the third quarter.
But it was only a matter of time before the home side’s huge physical advantage told and finally the Greens pack were driven back almost twenty metres for a push-over try.
The kick was missed but with the score at 29-3, Burgh were again overpowered up front for another try wide on the right.
The Greens however never gave up and Walker put in a huge tackle on the home No.8 to lift his side. Then with ten minutes to go, the No.8 had the last laugh, racing in for the final try.
While the home side were superior in most departments, the final scoreline was somewhat flattering and did not reflect a very brave performance from an under strength, young Greens side.
Burgh: Tyson, Rogers, Holmes, Gowrie, Rettie, Black (c), Walker, Drake, McNee, Gard, Calderwood, Sommerville, McInroy, Musset, Watt. Subs: Inglis, Sloan, Boyd, Ruskin.
Man of the Match was half back Black, who gets the nod ahead of scrum half Walker. It’s into the bowl for Burgh now but the focus remains on survival.
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