Almost Duns and dusted

David Christie 1563 - 1563 • Published 20 Mar 2008 09:30 0 Comments

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Helensburgh 34 - Duns 0

BURGH can plan for another season in Division Three after a job well Duns.

While this should probably have been a cricket score, a hungry focused Burgh side did more than enough against the basement side, collecting the four-try bonus point.

The Greens have turned their season around and this result demonstrated the new-found belief within the squad.

They now need just one more win from their remaining three matches against Lenzie, Whitecraigs and Lasswade to guarantee safety.

If not, there will be a nervy wait as fellow strugglers Madras and Strathmore can both still arithmetically consign Burgh to the ignominy of district rugby again.

Burgh started with a bang, forcing Duns on to the backfoot, a position they remained in for the entire 80 minutes.

The second half, however, was frustrating, with just one try and a multitude of dropped passes, knock-ons and poor decisions the sum of Burgh"s efforts. But by then, the game was over.

Chris Black was in mesmerising form, an all-action display keeping his forwards on the front foot. He nearly scored inside five minutes, breaking from midfield only to be scragged just yards from the posts.

Then, Davie Calderwood"s audacious flip pass sent Duncan Watt on a rampage but the flanker had his eyes on the try-line before he"d secured the ball and the chance went a-begging.

This only prolonged the inevitable and the Greens scored their first try on 10 minutes when Mark Tyson scored in the corner, rounding off some sterling play from the backs.

Nine minutes later from a lineout inside Duns" 22, the pack had a few pops from close quarters before the ball went wide and Phil Rogers lumbered over.

After 30 minutes, Burgh forged further ahead, this time No.8 Blair Somerville benefiting from one of the many tighthead strikes from hooker Sean McNee to plunge over from short range.

On the stroke of half-time, Black was the hero, pressurising the Duns fly-half into a rushed clearance which he gathered and fell over the line to score. The conversion, and his earlier penalty kick success, saw Burgh lead 27-0 at the break.

The second half was a blur of missed opportunities as Duns proved unable to get out of their own half. Stuart Holmes came the closest, his writhing run stopped just short after superb link play between forwards and backs.

Burgh"s fifth try came when another hurried clearance was fluffed to substitute prop Gregor Boyd, who showed great hands. Black converted for 34-0.

Burgh lacked composure and a clinical finish, but are to be applauded for their industry and adventure, a spirit which should be rewarded if applied to their remaining fixtures.

Best for Burgh were stand-in scrum-half Andy Inglis, No.8 Somerville and Black.

Burgh: Tyson, Rogers, Cairns, Riding, Black, Rettie, Inglis, Drake, McNee, Gard, Calderwood, McInroy, Sloan, Somerville, Watt. Subs: Musset, Boyd, Holmes.

This Saturday, Burgh travel to Lenzie, who will be out for revenge after the Greens dumped them out of the Bowl a fortnight ago. The 2nd XV are at home to Annan.

This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 20 Mar 08

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