Wigtownshire RFC completed their final away fixture of the season in style, overcoming a determined Clydebank side 69-27 in a thrilling contest played out under near-summer skies — a welcome change from the dreich weather of recent weeks.

Although Wigtownshire ran out convincing winners earlier in the season (75-3), a spirited Clydebank performance — still chasing their first win of the campaign — ensured the visitors had to work hard for every score.

With several enforced changes due to injuries and unavailability, Wigtownshire handed first starts to Jake Smith and Fraser Cameron after strong showings last week. Remarkably, the club also fielded two senior men’s teams away from home for the first time in over a decade, with their 2nd XV travelling to face Kilmarnock.

Fast Start but Fierce Contest

It took just 5 minutes for Wigtownshire to make their mark. Winger Benjamin Sharples raced down the left touchline, finishing off a sweeping move that began with an audacious offload from the dynamic Tino Kawanza in midfield. The conversion drifted wide but the tone was set at 0-5.

Clydebank responded with a penalty on 21 minutes before Wigtownshire re-established control through Scott Forsyth, who muscled over following a relentless rolling maul. Brother Blair added the extras for a 3-12 lead.

A yellow card for Mark Pirrie — guilty of a mistimed tackle deemed high by the referee — gave Clydebank a lifeline. They seized the opportunity with a try to close the gap to 8-12.

However, Wigtownshire’s Andrew McAuley — later named Leswalt Village Store Man of the Match — showcased his power and footwork with a barnstorming solo effort, evading multiple tacklers to score and push the lead to 8-17. Clydebank refused to fold and crossed again on the stroke of half-time, leaving the visitors with only a narrow 13-17 lead at the break.

Second Half Power Surge

Wigtownshire’s experience and fitness shone through after the interval. Neil Forsyth grabbed two tries in quick succession — the first from a well-timed inside pass from Ian Allan, the second from a close-range pick and drive.

Sharples added his second of the day with an electric break down the wing, before Forsyth completed his hat-trick following a slick backline move.

Clydebank continued to battle bravely, scoring another well-earned try, but the visitors’ attacking waves kept coming.

Andrew McMillan dived over after great interplay between forwards and backs, before coach-for-the-day Jason McKie marked his playing return with a try from a quick tap penalty.

Pirrie atoned for his earlier yellow card with a powerful score, and Gary Dunlop finished the scoring with a textbook backs move, both converted by Blair Forsyth.

Disciplinary Moments

Blair Forsyth was shown a yellow card in the second half for a deliberate knock-on while defending a promising Clydebank attack — a rare blemish on an otherwise polished performance from the playmaker.

Despite Clydebank’s spirited showing and four tries, Wigtownshire’s firepower and organisation proved decisive.

Final Score: Clydebank RFC 27 – 69 Wigtownshire RFC

Coach Jason McKie reflected:
"We had a slow start today, allowing different combinations to get to know each other, but we pulled together in the final third to run in some great tries. Credit to Clydebank for making us work hard throughout."

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Wigtownshire RFC Team:

M McColm, A McMillan, B Forsyth, S Forsyth (c), N Loughrey, B. Forsyth, T Kawanza, A McAuley, I. Allan, J Smith, M Pirrie, B Sharples, J McConnell, F Cameron, K Smith
Replacements: J McKie, T Beswick, G Dunlop, J Farquhar

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Next up for Wigtownshire is their final game of the season — a home showdown against league leaders Strathendrick, in what promises to be a fitting finale to an impressive campaign.