The pitch was heavy and boggy but that didn’t put a strong Helensburgh side down. In the first half both teams started off strong, both fighting for possession of the ball. This caused an unforced error for Newton Stewart which gave Sterry the chance to get three points on the board, which he took.

As the game went on Newton Stewart were pushing harder and harder trying to break the strong Burgh defence, but silly mistakes cost Burgh a penalty, and with a successful kick it took the score to be tied at 3-3.

Burgh had position for most of the next 15 minutes, phase after phase and they just couldn’t break through the defence of their opposition. Soon after Newton Stewart gained possession and fought hard to the line and scored an un-converted try taking the score line to 8-3.

With half-time approaching, Voigt received a yellow for not rolling away in the ruck, Newton Stewart kicked the ball out for the line out, winning the ball in the air and bringing it down to produce a strong maul which they drove over the Burgh try line. The try was converted taking the score to 15-3.

However Burgh weren’t finished yet, playing hard until the whistle went for half-time. The Burgh boys managed to force a penalty and going in at half -time the score was 15-6.

Both teams came out after the break raring to go.

From the kick off both teams were hitting hard and fighting for the ball. The ball was at the back of the ruck and scrum half Curtis took it and cross field kicked for Sterry to chase down and carry over the line for an un-converted try taking the score line to 15-11, Newton Stewart were fighting back and putting pressure on Burgh’s defence and they took another hit with Simmons getting a yellow card for having his hands in the ruck, Newton kicked for touch pushing to the line but the ball was held up. Newton then had a scrum on the five metre line. It was a strong scrum and Burgh put everything into it but just couldn’t get a grip on the heavy pitch and it was put down for a converted try score was now sitting at 22-11.

A few team switches and Burgh were showing signs of a comeback fighting hard and building through the phases but time was just not on Burgh’s side.

A fatal mistake led to a last minute turn over allowing Newton Stewart to score one last try, making the final score 27-11 to Newton Stewart.

GSS man of the match for his never say die attitude was Mikey Kinsman. Mikey is sponsored by KPS Property Services.

This leaves Helensburgh still to win to ensure they stay in this league, the boys take on Garnock next Saturday away. Best of luck Helensburgh. Team: Sloan, Hughes, Flanagan, Voigt, Greggain, Rogers P, Kinsman, Inglis, Curtis, Harris, Rogers A, Simmons, Malia, Howell, Sterry. Subs. Alton, Raeside, Miller, Owens.