Arnold Clark West Regional League 2 - Uddingston RFC vs. Wigtownshire RFC
In a decisive display of skill and teamwork, Wigtownshire RFC overpowered Uddingston RFC with a commanding 54-14 win, marking a high point at the halfway stage of their season.
Conditions and Background
The match took place under gray skies, with a damp pitch that posed a minor challenge for both teams. Despite a slight breeze down the field, Wigtownshire’s backline, unchanged for the first time this season, played a fast-paced game. Notable in the lineup were forward pack returnees Flynn Crean, just back from holiday, and fellow Kiwi Briarly Brown, who stepped into the back row. It was Jason Pattersons turn to wind back the years this week and make a return to the subs bench after a 6 year sabbatical. This game held added significance for Wigtownshire, as they traveled to Uddingston having won seven of their first eight league games, seeking redemption for a narrow loss here two years ago.
First Half Highlights
Uddingston struck first with an early attack, but were denied due to a stray foot in touch. From then on, Wigtownshire took control. At 12 minutes, Mark Pirrie's aggressive drive set up Frank Gwynne, who delivered quick ball to Ricky Hopcroft. Hopcroft’s clinical footwork saw him evade defenders and secure the opening try under the posts, which Blair Forsyth converted to put Wigtownshire up 7-0.
Wigtownshire continued their momentum, capitalizing on a turnover by Blair Forsyth at 26 minutes. Kieran Smith seized the ball and outpaced Uddingston’s defense to score, with Forsyth adding the extras for a 14-0 lead. By the 33rd minute, Wigtownshire's lineout was running smoothly, with Ian Allan consistently finding James McGarvie, whose well-timed pass to Hopcroft resulted in his second try. Forsyth converted, pushing the score to 21-0.
As halftime approached, Uddingston found a breakthrough with their winger stretching the defense to score in the corner, bringing the score to 21-7 at the break.
Second Half Dominance
Wigtownshire came out strong in the second half, and within three minutes, Andrew McMillan, Neil Forsyth, and Mark Pirrie had set the stage for James “Fermer” McGarvie to crash through for another try. Though Forsyth missed the conversion, the score moved to 26-7.
At 50 minutes, Pirrie drove low and hard through the Uddingston defense to touch down, with Forsyth’s conversion extending Wigtownshire’s lead to 33-7. Soon after, a familiar set-piece combination paid off again, with McGarvie in the lineout offloading to McClymont to set up Hopcroft, who completed his hat-trick and earned his man of the match reputation as a relentless force for Wigtownshire in both attack and defence. Forsyth’s conversion made it 40-7.
For the next ten minutes Uddingston had dominance over Wigtownshire and they had to go back to their dogged defensive performance that they showed last week in Helensburgh to keep Uddingston out but eventually a rare defensive lapse allowed Uddingston to score a converted try at 66 minutes, narrowing the margin to 40-14. But Wigtownshire’s dominance remained clear, as substitutes Robbie Forsyth and Benji Sharples injected fresh energy. In the 75th minute, Forsyth burst through the Uddingston defense, setting up Flynn Crean to finish with a try, converted by Forsyth for 47-14.
Wigtownshire closed out the game with an opportunistic final try from Robbie Forsyth after a quick tap penalty, sealing their impressive 54-14 win.
Post-Match Reflections
Wigtownshire’s well-drilled phase play and lineout strength were testaments to their preparation in training, though additional focus on scrum technique is needed. With eight wins from nine games, they enter the season's second half in third place, eyeing the promotion spots and hoping to capitalize on missed bonus points from recent weeks.
Team Lineup:
N. Forsyth, A. McMillan, S. Forsyth, R. Hopcroft, S. McAuley, B. Forsyth, F. Gwynne, A. McAuley, I. Allan, M. Pirrie, J. McGarvie, F. Crean, A. McClymont, B. Brown, K. Smith
Impact Players: B. Sharples, R. Forsyth, J. Patterson, C. Keith
Final Score: Uddingston RFC 14 - 54 Wigtownshire RFC