GREENS GRIND OUT WIN IN NAIL-BITER

Published 18 Mar 2010 09:00 0 Comments

Share this

THE crowd at Ardencaple were made to hold their breath on Saturday as Helensburgh hung on to defeat Ross High by the narrowest of margins.

But one of the most positive aspects of the nail-biting victory is that this was a match that earlier in the season would have been lost.

And as the Greens recorded their fourth straight league win since New Year they have now climbed to fifth place in the National League Division Three table.

Ross High were physically superior in almost every department as the match kicked off with Burgh playing with the strong westerly wind at their

backs.

Neil Sloan showed up early with a good tackle on his opposite number and the Greens won a penalty, but Riding's kick slid wide of the posts.

The visitors were dominating the early exchanges and ominously from a line-out just inside the home 22 their much heavier pack drove over in the corner for the opening try.

The conversion from wide out missed and Riding forced the Greens upfield with a wonderful kick.

Helensburgh pressed hard for the line from a five-metre scrum and were awarded a penalty which Riding converted to narrow the gap to two points.

Musset and Johnny Drake were evident in good thrusts while Phil Rogers was injured and replaced by Rettie.

The Greens were much more in the game and from a free kick on the visitors 22, McNee tapped and raced through the defence for a fine solo try at the corner.

The conversion was missed but the home side now had their noses in front.

Ross High then missed a kickable penalty as half-time came and Burgh's small lead looked precarious as they turned to face the stiff wind.

Somerville bravely won possession of a loose ball on the ground and the visitors were penalised at the breakdown and Riding made no mistake from in front of the posts to give the home side a little breathing space at 11-5.

The visitors then had a chance to close the gap as the penalties came thick and fast, but failed from an easy position.

Ross High were pressing hard and utilising the strong wind and from a line-out close to the home line a tap down allowed them to run round the front, as Helensburgh's defence was posted missing, to touch down in the corner and take them within a point, but fortunately the conversion was missed.

Defence by the Greens became the order of the day and great hits by Ross Gibson, Ally Rogers and Johnny Drake lifted the home supporters.

Somerville and Walker both made hard yards, but after a flare-up in midfield Ross High's centre and Burgh's captain Riding were both sin-binned.

Johnny Drake slotted in at stand-off but the match deteriorated as a spectacle with a succession of penalties awarded to each side.

As the clock ticked down, a very nervous Greens support saw Ross High mount a series of attacks which were bravely repulsed.

But as the final whistle approached, the visitors won a penalty in front of the posts.

The poor form of their goal kicker saved the day as he put the ball wide to give Burgh a nervous, but deserved, victory.

Helensburgh man of the match: Johnny Drake.

Team: A Drake, McNee, Wragg, McInroy, Musset, Feltham, J Gibson, Somerville, Walker, Riding (c), N Sloan, J Drake, P Rogers, Bowman, A Rogers. Subs: Boyd, R Gibson, Rettie.

This Saturday Burgh have another home game against Hillfoots (kick-off at 2.30pm).

This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 18 Mar 10

Follow @helensburghadv

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.