Three and safe for the Greens

0 - 0 • Last updated 16 Apr 2009 16:01

Helensburgh 21 Strathmore 0

HELENSBURGH virtually guaranteed their National Division Three status with their third win in a row on Saturday.

The Greens have now leapfrogged Strathmore into fifth spot and only a complex and frankly unlikely arithmetical scenario could see them down back into the relegation battle.

This was another exciting and gritty performance from a young Burgh side and coach Liam McIntyre was extremely pleased with the performance against more experienced and much bigger opponents.

An early foray forward from Ross Gibson was soon halted and Strathmore responded when their stand-off took play almost to the home line but the ever reliable Steve Walker, pictured right, sent a superb clearance 50 metres downfield.

A Chris Black penalty steadied the home side"s nerves and better was to come for the stand-off as, following some wonderful forward driving play involving Dave Calderwood and Blair Somerville, Black neatly chipped over the defence and won the race to touch down. He was injured in the act of scoring and Riding took over the kicking duties to slot the conversion.

Strathmore missed a penalty then the Greens stretched their lead when scrum half Walker stole away from the back row cover at a line out and weaved his way past several bewildered opponents in a brilliant 30 metre solo effort for the second try.

Black, back in the thick of it, struck the post with his conversion attempt, but his team were now in a commanding 15-0 lead.

This galvanised Strathmore into action and only robust Burgh defending kept them out.

Both sides lost a player to the sin bin as half-time approached, but it was the home side who were still the sharper and Black slotted another penalty before the break.

The Burgh coach introduced David Sterry to front row for the second half while Ally Rogers moved to full-back.

But almost immediately the home side were under the cosh as replacement Sterry was red-carded for alleged foul play at a scrum.

This left the Greens facing 35 minutes of play a man short and the game deteriorated somewhat with towsy play and indiscipline from both sides.

Still, Burgh showed the greater composure and Black added the final points of the afternoon with another penalty.

Strathmore went hell for leather in the closing stages, Holmes experiencing the brunt of their anger as he left the pitch with a nasty cut.

Phil Rogers continued his strong runs in midfield and young brother Ally made a wonderful head on saving tackle at full back.

In the dying seconds, Strathmore had a player red carded for verbal abuse of the referee.

Helensburgh: A Rogers, D Campbell, P Rogers (man of the match), A Cairns, D Riding (c), C Black, S Walker, O McInroy, J Feltham, A Drake, C Brown, D Calderwood, R Gibson, D Watt, B Sommerville. Subs: A Inglis, J Sterry, S Holmes.

Burgh"s final match is at home against league Champions Lasswade on April 25, but before then the league position should be resolved with Strathmore and Gordonians facing each other next Saturday.

The club"s annual dinner is on Saturday evening and club members are also reminded of the forthcoming Helensburgh Rugby and Cricket Club AGM. It takes place on Thursday April 30 from 8pm at the clubhouse.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 16 Apr 09

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