Narrow win for Burgh

Published 15 Oct 2009 12:01

HELENSBURGH were fortunate to emerge victorious after a poor performance against rivals Lenzie on Saturday.

Coach Liam McIntyre observed that last season the Burgh side would have lost the match but are now showing greater resilience and nous when really up against it. Prior to kick off there was a lovely moment when both teams and the large crowd held a minute's applause in memory of Jim Barrowman - a stalwart patron supporter of the Greens for many years.

The second XV, whose match was cancelled as Lenzie could not field a side, were lined up in full kit behind the posts to play their part in the tribute to Mr Barrowman.

At kick-off the Burgh started brightly with Linzee-Gordon and Ally Rogers combining well and putting the home side into the visitors 22.

From the ensuing line-out the Lenzie full-back knocked-on on his goal-line but the referee was unsighted and the chance went a begging.

The first scrum was ominous as the home side were completely driven off the ball. Stand off Holmes, deputising at 10 for the injured Black, made a great break into the 22 and the Greens won a penalty which they kicked to the corner.

That followed a period of intense pressure on the Lenzie line with a series of pick and drives but the visitors held firm to break out, but the move was halted by shuddering Walker tackle.

On the 12th minute mark the home side won a penalty and captain David Riding made no mistake with his successful kick to take the score to 3-0.

Brothers Ross and Johnnie Gibson were both prominent in defensive chores and Ross had one particularly good number eight pick up behind a retreating scrum. Lenzie were very much in the game and were unlucky when a penalty rebounded from the post.

Johnnie Gibson secured the loose ball but when it was moved back for a clearance kick there was panic amongst the Greens backs and Lenzie drove over for a try. The conversion missed but the visitors tails were up leading 3-5, although the referee issued a stern warning to them following a high tackle.

The Burgh were being turned over constantly with an apparent lack of commitment at the ruck and it came as some relief when Riding made it two from two with his second penalty to take the score to 6-5. Sean McNee was injured and McInroy moved to hooker, allowing Boyd to come of the bench for his first XV debut and Hammond replaced Watt.

Further scrappy play with the Greens being turned over repeatedly was curtailed by the blessing of the half-time whistle. The second half resumed with McNee back and Adam Drake going off but immediately Lenzie were on the offensive.

After a missed conversion they broke into the Burgh 22 to score their second try to lead 6-10.

Worse was to follow as they almost scored again following a kick ahead into the Greens in goal area but Linzee-Gordon just won the race for the touchdown.

Burgh's spirits were finally raised when two of their youngest players Rogers and Drake together staged a great break out. Campbell then appeared to score a try from close in but the referee disallowed it for a double movement.

Cairns replaced the injured Walker and Drake, now playing on the wing, had another searing break which came to nothing through lack of support.

Matters were merely delayed however as with Burgh exerting much more pressure the ball was moved quickly throughthe hands to the left wing where Drake scorched in from 40 metres.

Riding's conversion attempt from wide out failed narrowly but the home side were back in the lead at 11-10.

Ross Gibson and McNee were showing up well and Gibson had a wonderful solo drive to relive pressure. But following Lenzie players lying all over off side in a ruck, Hammond was yellow carded for taking the law into his own hands.

With 15 minutes to go being a man short could have proved fatal but it seemed at last to galvanize the Burgh pack and Holmes with some good kicks kept relieving Lenzie's pressure.

Riding kicked his third penalty to increase the lead to 14-10 and with the clock running down McNee had a spectacular run supported by Linzee-Gordon, who was then injured and had to retire.

Hammond returned and Burgh won another penalty which slid past the uprights as the final whistle blew.

No doubt much work will be done by coach McIntyre this week particularly wit regard to ball retention and scrummaging.

HELENSBURGH: McInroy, McNee, A. Drake, Brown, J Gibson, Watt, Feltham, R.Gibson, Campbell, Holmes, Rogers, J Drake, Riding (capt), Walker, Linzee- Gordon. SUBS: Hammond, Cairns, Boyd.

Tweet

Follow @helensburghadv

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.