Helensburgh Advertiser | Sport | Lenzie lost point could prove key

Friday, 5th September, 2008

Published: Thursday, 27th March, 2008 11:45

Lenzie lost point could prove key

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Lenzie 15 v 11 Helensburgh

HELENSBURGH’S final three league games against the top of the table promotion contenders were always going to prove difficult.

But Saturday’s brave performance against a Lenzie side almost certain to be promoted, was another clear example of how the young Burgh side have improved in the last few months.

Having dumped Lenzie out of the Bowl only a couple of weeks ago, it was always guaranteed there would be a strong reaction and so it proved on a bitterly cold but sunny afternoon at Viewfield Park.

The home side kicked deep into Burgh’s 22 and promptly stole the lineout. A scrum was awarded and the Greens were penalised but the kick went wide.

Blair Sommerville made a great tackle in midfield and Black cleared downfield, but the pressure was building and after only seven minutes, the home side won a scrum against the head and the ball was moved swiftly left for their speedy winger to score wide out.

The conversion was missed but Burgh was still under the cosh, alleviated by a good Riding clearance downfield.

Another scrum was lost and the Greens came under even more pressure with the home side rolling ominously towards the line. Again Helensburgh weathered the storm with Black and Holmes making crucial tackles.

Set-piece possession was proving hard for Burgh but finally a good Gibson lineout take saw the ball moved wide at pace and full back Tyson sent Holmes away, only for the winger to be hauled down just short of the line.

On 30 minutes, with the score still at 5-0, a Black penalty was wide but with Helensburgh very much more in the game.

Holmes and Cairns made good yards into the home side’s 22 and Burgh Captain Neil Sloan went over in the corner to level the score.

The conversion was missed, but shortly after, Black converted a penalty to take the Greens into the lead at 8-5.

Having weathered the Lenzie onslaught for the first half hour, the Greens deserved it, but the lead was short lived.

From a penalty for offside, Burgh were caught sleeping and Lenzie crossed to retake the lead.

With the try converted, the half-time whistle went with the home side leading 12-8.

The second half was an evenly contested affair with Helensburgh ringing the changes. Mark Sloan went off at scrum half, Black taking over while Holmes moved to stand-off and Josh Rettie came onto the wing.

Riding then had to come off for a head cut as Black unluckily hit the post with a penalty attempt, but minutes later he was successful to take the score to Lenzie 12 Helensburgh 11.

Following further changes to the Burgh line-up, long periods of Lenzie possession were bravely repulsed by the Greens, with Gibson, McNee and Sommerville all outstanding in the defensive chores.

Black, Cairns and Holmes also made promising breaks to relieve the pressure.

As the clock was running down, Lenzie converted a penalty to take the score to 15-11, but a brave Greens attack to win the game came to nothing as the final pass was adjudged forward.

With Strathmore beating Madras, there is still no respite for Burgh in their brave fight for survival, but the loss point bravely won on Saturday could prove crucial to their efforts.

Helensburgh: Tyson, Holmes, Cairns, Riding, Rodgers, Black, M Sloan, Drake, McNee, Boyd, Calderwood, McInroy, N Sloan (c), Sommerville, Gibson.

Subs: J Rettie, C Rettie, Brown.

• Next match: Whitecraigs (H), kick off 3pm.

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