HELENSBURGH travelled to Maybole on shield duty on Saturday to play league and cup favourites Carrick.

Burgh had lost twice to Carrick in the previous seasons and the new squad had no doubts that this was going to be one of the toughest games of the season.

Helensburgh kicked off and immediately put pressure on the Carrick line with a return kick from winger Aaron Sterry to Carrick’s five metre line.

From the lineout, Helensburgh’s new stand off Rhodri Davis showed his skills by immediately chipping the ball to the wing for Johnny Drake just to miss out on a try.

A penalty against the Grizzlies on six minutes saw Carrick kick to Burgh’s 22 and from the line out their impressive backs managed to score in the corner against the tide of play.

From the restart Carrick again managed to get the ball down their back line and a sleeping Helensburgh watched them run in another try. Unconverted it was 10–0 after 10 minutes.

Helensburgh fought back and again stand off Davis was putting pressure on the Carrick line with superb kicks to the corner, creeping up to the Carrick five metre line.

However, again from the lineout, Carrick managed to sweep the ball out from their backs for their winger to score again under the posts. It was now 17–0 and Burgh were looking bemused at the scoreline considering the pressure they had been putting on the home team.

Again Burgh smashed their way up to the five metre line with fantastic bursts from centre Scott Simmons. However they again saw a try scoring opportunity intercepted and again frustratingly watched Carrick run under the posts for a try to take the score to 24–0 after 20 minutes.

Helensburgh were now realising that they can compete with a team of Carrcik’s standard and now took the ball to the home side with much more aggression resulting in centre Simmons running in their first try under the posts after some excellent back play.

With 25 minutes gone it was 22–7.

Carrick were now getting frustrated at Helensburgh’s attack and defence and after three penalties in a row, winger Aaron Sterry ran over the line to take the score to 22–12 and with the half-time whistle blowing, there was a feeling that a come back may be on the cards.

This time, Carrick kicked off into the sun and frustratingly for Helensburgh, scored straight away with some excellent running by their backs again from their half-way line. Burgh fought back straight away led by Flanker James Mussett who bounced off three tackles to get the ball to stand off Davis, and with a fantastic passage of play saw Mikey Kinsman crash through for a try to take the score to 29-17 on 50 minutes.

The Grizzlies kept the pressure up on Carrick with fabulous defence and rucking by second row Kane Greggain but, even though they had the majority of the ball, could not stop the Carrick breakaway tries.

A further three scores by the Carrick backs from loose ball took the score to 52–17 at full time, a scoreline that flattered the home side, however no one could take away the skill of Carrick’s back line who managed a convincing win from a very tight game.

Captain Ally Rogers and his team can come away from this game knowing there has been considerable improvement in the squad and with the first league game against Garnock away this Saturday, they will be looking to put their first points on the table and get a result from their hard work at training.

Silvers’ man of the match went to Kane Greggain for his tireless performance in the rucks and lineouts. New Stand off Rhodri Davis is going to be one to watch and mention must be given to Scott Simmons for his huge performance on the day.

Helensburgh are sadly losing flanker Johnny Clipston who is moving to Edinburgh and the club would like to wish him well along with hooker Tom Hughes who moves away down south for officer training in the Navy. A huge thank you to you both for your loyalty over the years.