HELENSBURGH Rugby Club narrowly lost their 100 per cent start to the league season as a late surge couldn’t prevent defeat at Allan Glens on Saturday.

Helensburgh were missing eight key players due to injury including captain Ally Rogers.

In the 20th minute Allan Glens scored their first try from a chip over the solid defensive wall, the kick was not converted so it was 5-0 to the hosts. Burgh then struck back with a try from Johnny Drake making it 5-5 after the kick was missed.

New Burgh start Phil Ard was taken off and replaced by Callum Miller. Glens knocked on after a good hit by Jason Feltham. Helensburgh secured their own ball after a storming scrum by Miller.

Musset carried the ball well, gaining 20 yards, however a lack of support meant that the ball was turned over by the Glens flanker. Shortly after this, Callum Miller made a good tackle on the scrum half, forcing the ball to spill in the Allan Glens 22.

Johnny Gibson picked the ball up and ran in under posts and the kick was converted by Scott Simmons. Glens hit back in the dying seconds of the half making it 17-12 after a converted kick.

Glens scored five minutes into the second half from a good forward set-piece, making the score 24-12 following another conversion. Centres Sean McNee and Scott Simmons were linking well but the final product was not there.

Again good forward play by Calderwood and Musset made good ground. Burgh stepped their game up at this point. Sniping runs by Ollie Curtis brought Burgh into Glens’ 22.

However the Allan Glens defence was too strong, managing to turn the ball over and they successfully kicked the ball into touch. Sean McNee was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Sean Alton in the 60th minute.

Aaron Sterry was this next injured victim, he was replaced by his brother David Sterry. David Sterry’s boot proved useful when kicking the ball far into the Allan Glens’ 22.

A good lineout by Tom Hughes and Kane Greggain secured the ball for Callum Harris. His back door pass saw Simmons through the Allan Glens defence, he was halted just short of the line.

Again the Allen Glens flanker turned the ball over and franticly kicked the ball into touch only five metres away from the Glens’ line.

A good maul from the Burgh boys proved they were too strong for the Glens pack. Kane Greggain bundled over for a try which David Sterry converted, 24-17. With 10 minutes to go, Burgh sensed an attacking opportunity and a good inside line by Tom Hughes reignited the spirit.

With five minutes remaining, Sterry kicked for touch after a penalty was giving away by the Glens player. Five metres out, Burgh take the ball down and drive for the line. Glens defensive maul was good. Curtis and Harris commanded the forwards to drive for the line, there was still know way through.

James Musset saw a gap and dived for the line for a good score.

This saw Burgh two points away from a draw and it was last play but the kick was missed, final score 24-22 to Allan Glens.

Silvers man of the match: James Musset.