Uphill task for Burgh

Published 9 Oct 2009 12:51

Rugby

HELENSBURGH powered past a more experienced Hillfoots side on Saturday to secure their fourth consecutive victory.

Hillfoots - never a team to be underestimated - have been up in the higher leagues for a number of seasons but with an ageing squad have slipped down the divisions.

And the Burgh exposed their weaknesses despite a jaded display in the latter stages of the match.

Helensburgh had the advantage of the slope when they kicked off but had a wild westerly wind in their faces.

The away side's tactics were on display early on, with the ball being kept tight and well-executed pick and drives by Owen McInroy and Colin Brown bumping the larger opposition forwards onto the back foot.

Early turnover ball however allowed the Hillfoots stand-off to take advantage of the breeze and put play up into the Burgh 22. Hillfoots won the lineout and a neat chip from their scrum half put the Burgh defence on red alert. Staunch cover tackling and great commitment ensured that ball was turned over and out through Chris Black and Michael Linzee-Gordon to Stevie Walker, who burst through two tackles before he was scythed down with a high tackle.

The penalty was then taken on with a spirited run by Danny Campbell supported by Sean McNee and inside the 22 by Stuart Holmes, but Helensburgh were penalised some 10 metres out at the breakdown.

The robust Hillfoots pack were being given a lesson on ball retention as the Burgh pack continued to dominate the tight play with their well-orchestrated pick-and-drive routines, while the Burgh backs were eliminating the home side's attacks with incisive first-time tackles ably executed by a fierce Chris Black.

A series of concerted attacks by Helensburgh with 20 minutes played saw McNee bundled into touch on the tryline and then Brown held up as he was driven over.

Burgh held their own against the big pack at the five-metre scrum and a slick pick up and delivery by Campbell from the base saw Ross Gibson drive over for a try but the conversion drifted wide.

The opposition raised their game and demonstrated their experience in using the breeze to their advantage.

Despite a period of territorial superiority, Hillfoots could not find a gap in the Burgh defence but on the half-hour their stand-off dropped a goal from the 22 to narrow the score to 3-5.

The opposition were now using the wind to their advantage with a number of high kicks but full back Linzee-Gordon was on form and was keen to run out of defence and broke a number of tackle to take play into the opposition half. This break was supported by a supporting McInroy who gained further ground with ball in hand, drew the last line of defence and put Joel Hammond in under the posts.

A David Riding conversion slotted over to take the score to Hillfoots 3 Helensburgh 12 as half time appeared on the clock.

The Public Park, Tillicoultry, has never an easy venue for Helensburgh but the travelling support were anticipating that their younger squad would have the Hillfoots squad on the rack in the second half.

The home coach had other ideas and took a leaf from coach MacIntyre's book, utilising their robust number eight to lead a number of forward rushes into the Burgh 22.

Helensburgh were able to keep the constant Hillfoots attacks at bay with the back row trio working overtime and controlled line kicks from Black and Riding relieving the constant pressure from time to time.

The home side's change of tactics had allowed them to dominate territory and possession in the third quarter of the game but they were being denied any route to the try line.

Helensburgh's three subs Duncan Watt, Alistair Cairns and Mark Sloan were brought on to replace Black, Brown and Campbell with 20 minutes to go.

The Helensburgh squad were having difficulty with the slope and were being asked questions of their fitness by their mature opposition, who were now shunting the Burgh pack backwards in the tight. Hillfoots had a belief that they were still in the game with their burly stand-off dictating play but Holmes, Walker and Ali Rogers were ever-alert in defence.

A Riding chip up into the corner then allowed Helensburgh to play out the final 10 minutes of the game in the opposition 22 with the Castle Timber man-of-the-match Ross Gibson bundled into touch at the corner flag on the final whistle.

The second half finished without points from either team but it was disappointing to see the young Helensburgh squad apparently lacking stamina in the second half against a more mature 15.

HELENSBURGH: McInroy, McNee, Drake, J Gibson, Brown, Feltham, Hammond, R Gibson, Campbell, Black, A Rogers, Holmes, Riding, Walker, Linzee- Gordon: SUBS Watt, M Sloan, Cairns

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