Low point for Greens

0 - 0 • Last updated 20 Nov 2008 14:31

Helensburgh 5 Gordonians 6

ON a glorious day at Ardencaple, Helensburgh"s performance failed to match Mother Nature"s as they threw away the opportunity to get back to winning ways.

The Burgh side were certainly expected to win this encounter with Aberdeen outfit Gordonians, but following last week"s heavy defeat at Alan Glens there seemed to be a complete lack of confidence amongst both forwards and backs.

The home side"s game was littered with basic errors and wrong options and the large support at Ardencaple was left disappointed with thoughts of what might have been had the Greens played to their true potential.

From the outset it was clear that the visitors from up north were intent on competing for every ball and their fast start saw the home side penalised on the 10-metre line.

The Gordonians stand off"s effort drifted wide and a good Inglis take at the next line-out saw the pressure relieved.

At full back Tyson was showing up well, and Musset at Number 8 was always looking for work, but each time Burgh had clear possession play inevitably broke down, helped by some strange refereering decisions.

Drake replaced Gard in the front row and Holmes made a few promising breaks but was too often left isolated.

Inglis kicked ahead and chase caught the visiting full back in possession, and the Greens won a penalty wide out but McGrath"s kick drifted past the posts.

Another penalty to the home side was missed from the half-way line, but better was to come as in the best move of the first half. McGrath"s vision saw space on the far touchline and his accurate cross kick was well taken in the air by Inglis, whose feed sent the supporting Tyson in at the corner.

The conversion was missed but Burgh led 5-0 and things remained at that as half time was signalled.

As the second spell got under way Brown was replaced by Gibson in the back row with Inglis moving forward to support Calderwood in the boilerhouse.

Gordonians surged into the home 22 and were awarded yet another penalty, which their stand off converted to take the score to 5-3.

Burgh began to produce some better rugby and won a penalty which appeared eminently kickable. However, they elected to kick for the corner and the hope of a drive over try.

David Riding"s side were awarded a succession of five-metre scrums, but were unable to convert any of them into points, and they came away with nothing as Gordonians finally turned the ball over and cleared the pressure.

Their frustration boiled over when Gordonians were awarded another penalty on halfway, and the referee marched the Greens back 20 as two of the home side showed indiscipline by talking back to the match official.

This brought the kick within range of the home posts and their stand off duly obliged with a confident strike to take the lead at 6-5.

As the clock ran down Sterry replaced McGrath and a massive penalty effort from him from 57 metres fell short.

Brown returned for Sommerville and Burgh"s frantic efforts to pull something out of the fire just fell short as the final whistle blew.

This was never a match that should have been lost and in the end Helensburgh"s indiscipline cost them dear.

Best for Burgh on a truly disappointing day were Musset, McNee, Inglis and Calderwood with Tyson the cream of the backs.

Helensburgh"s Man of the Match - Andy Inglis.

Helensburgh: McInroy, McNee, Gard, Calderwood, Brown, Inglis, Sommerville, Musset, Campbell, McGrath, Rogers, Riding (c), Homes, Walker, Tyson. Subs: Sterry Drake Gibson.

Next Saturday, Burgh face Waysiders at Coatbridge in what will be a difficult encounter, with kick-off at 2pm.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 20 Nov 08

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