The Grizzlies roar to another victory

Despite the cold wind both teams started looked like they were up for a game of rugby and despite early pressure from the kick-off from the visitors it was Burgh who scored first.

Sterry making the mini break and offloading to the supporting Cairns. The kick was narrowly missed.

The Burgh forwards then took play up to the Newton Stewart line where the impressive Rogers crashed over for the second try.

The conversion was good from Sterry taking the early score to 12-0. The table showed that Newton Stewart have managed four losing bonus points this season, demonstrating their never say die attitude.

Pressuring Burgh, they forced a penalty in midfield taking the score to 12-3. Attacking again they exploited the gap on the inside channel and scampered through to score their first try. It was converted and the score went to 12-10. The influential Ross went off with an arm injury. Newton Stewart went on the attack again cleared long and pressured Burgh into giving another kickable penalty, the visitors taking the lead 12-13.

Burgh attacked again and after getting a penalty, demonstrated confidence by taking the tap and pass instead of kicking for three points.

The visitors turned the ball over and cleared long, recognising the fullback was out of position. Belying his advancing years, centre Cairns showed excellent pace and game sense to not only cover back, but force the penalty as he cleverly regained the ball.

Newton Stewart attacked again only to be met by strong tackling, Simmons leading the way with the Burgh back row omnipresent. Burgh regained the ball and keeping the rugby simple passed along the line for Drake to score, 19-13.

Newton Stewart refused to be bowed and pressed again, the weakness at the inside channel was exposed as they sliced through to score. The kick was successful and the lead swapped yet again 19-20.

There then followed a scrappy period of play as Burgh seemed to make a few wrong tactical decisions, kicking when ball in hand had been more successful. Newton Stewart kept up the pressure and forced another penalty within the Burgh 22m line.

Fortunately for the Grizzlies the kick was missed. From the next attack Burgh seemed to remember how they could be most effective and the ball was passed along the line for Rogers to dive over the line. Sterry struck a sweet conversion and the referee blew for half time, 26-20.

The second half began and attacks from Newton Stewart were snuffed out by strong tackling and spiralling kicks that forced them back into their own half.

Strong runs continued to be made by Simmons, Rogers and debutant Wood. From a speculative kick through Drake narrowly missed the touchdown.

Burgh kept pressing and Newton Stewart were forced to give away a penalty as they tried in vein to get possession. Sterry slotted the kick, followed by another shortly after, 32-20.

In the dying minutes of the game Burgh again showed what they were capable of. Rogers catching a kick through the ball went through the hands from Simmons to Rogers to Sterry who chipped through and won the footrace to touch down. Final score Helensburgh 37 Newton Stewart 20.

The GSS man of the match was Phil Rogers.

The early pitch inspection allowed the visitors to start their long trek to Helensburgh from Dumfries and Galloway.

Despite the cold wind both teams started looked like they were up for a game of rugby and despite early pressure from the kick-off from the visitors it was Burgh who scored first.

Sterry making the mini break and offloading to the supporting Cairns. The kick was narrowly missed.

The Burgh forwards then took play up to the Newton Stewart line where the impressive Rogers crashed over for the second try.

The conversion was good from Sterry taking the early score to 12-0. The table showed that Newton Stewart have managed four losing bonus points this season, demonstrating their never say die attitude.

Pressuring Burgh, they forced a penalty in midfield taking the score to 12-3. Attacking again they exploited the gap on the inside channel and scampered through to score their first try. It was converted and the score went to 12-10. The influential Ross went off with an arm injury. Newton Stewart went on the attack again cleared long and pressured Burgh into giving another kickable penalty, the visitors taking the lead 12-13.

Burgh attacked again and after getting a penalty, demonstrated confidence by taking the tap and pass instead of kicking for three points.

The visitors turned the ball over and cleared long, recognising the fullback was out of position. Belying his advancing years, centre Cairns showed excellent pace and game sense to not only cover back, but force the penalty as he cleverly regained the ball.

Newton Stewart attacked again only to be met by strong tackling, Simmons leading the way with the Burgh back row omnipresent. Burgh regained the ball and keeping the rugby simple passed along the line for Drake to score, 19-13.

Newton Stewart refused to be bowed and pressed again, the weakness at the inside channel was exposed as they sliced through to score. The kick was successful and the lead swapped yet again 19-20.

There then followed a scrappy period of play as Burgh seemed to make a few wrong tactical decisions, kicking when ball in hand had been more successful. Newton Stewart kept up the pressure and forced another penalty within the Burgh 22m line.

Fortunately for the Grizzlies the kick was missed. From the next attack Burgh seemed to remember how they could be most effective and the ball was passed along the line for Rogers to dive over the line. Sterry struck a sweet conversion and the referee blew for half time, 26-20.

The second half began and attacks from Newton Stewart were snuffed out by strong tackling and spiralling kicks that forced them back into their own half.

Strong runs continued to be made by Simmons, Rogers and debutant Wood. From a speculative kick through Drake narrowly missed the touchdown.

Burgh kept pressing and Newton Stewart were forced to give away a penalty as they tried in vein to get possession. Sterry slotted the kick, followed by another shortly after, 32-20.

In the dying minutes of the game Burgh again showed what they were capable of. Rogers catching a kick through the ball went through the hands from Simmons to Rogers to Sterry who chipped through and won the footrace to touch down. Final score Helensburgh 37 Newton Stewart 20.

The GSS man of the match was Phil Rogers.