Rugby report for Saturday 16th October 2010
West League 1
Wigtownshire RFC 1st XV 18 Strathendrick RFC 1st XV 24

In a pulsating game played in perfect conditions at London Road ‘Shire in the end had to give best to the joint league leaders Strathendrick, losing by the narrow margin of 6 points, after leading 18-17 at the end of normal time. The visitors scored a converted try after some 4-5 minutes of injury time which sealed the game and gave them a narrow win. Strathendrick have had a very successful season to date winning all their games to date. They were given the hardest game of the season so far and they will be returning to Fintry knowing that they escaped their first defeat by the narrowest of margins. ‘Shire played very well, especially the forwards, who dominated the visiting eight throughout the game. ‘Shire lack real pace at the back and this was very obvious in this game. The Strathendrick backs are big and full of running and they handle well. It is to ‘Shire’s credit that their defence was only breached 4 times in the game. ‘Shire scored 2 good tries and William Parker kicked 2 penalties and a conversion of his own try, thus contributing 13 of the 18 points scored. It was a very good game to watch with the game flowing from end to end. Some of the ‘Shire forwards’ mauling and driving was of the highest order and they often drove the visiting forwards back10-15 yards at a time, especially in the first half. Rab Thomson was an inspiring captain who kept his team focused on the job in hand. The penalty count must have been about even and the game was very physical but fair. All the players will be nursing knocks and bruises! Young Blair Forsyth was making his ‘Shire debut – a baptism of fire one could say!
‘Shire had a dream start with William Parker going over under the posts after 3 minutes with a neat sidestep, after he had taken play to near the visitors’ line after a deft kick ahead. He added the conversion so ‘Shire led 7-0. The forwards were already showing good form, driving their opponents back at every opportunity. 7 minutes later William Parker was on target with a penalty to increase the ‘Shire lead to 10-0. Darren Jessop had to leave the filed at this stage with a leg injury and was replaced by Ross Pauley. 7 minutes later Strathendrick showed what they are capable of even with limited possession. During their first real incursion into the ‘Shire 22, the ball was kicked ahead into the corner and the right wing showed good handling skills by picking up and diving over. The kick failed but ‘Shire still led 10-5. The ‘Shire forwards were still very dominant and were pushing the visiting eight back in set scrums and Mickey Hastie was giving the visiting tight head a torrid afternoon. Gordon Keith (and everyone else) thought he had scored a try when he charged down an attempted clearance but the referee decided he had knocked on. William Parker increased the lead when the Strathendrick backs strayed offside in front of the posts and he kicked a simple penalty. The score was now 13-5 to ‘Shire The forwards drove over the visitors’ line but were unable to ground the ball. However just before the interval the visitors scored 2 tries within 4 minutes, converting one of them, to put them in the lead by 17-13. Both tries were on their right and were simple tries, with the ‘Shire defence being stretched by fast slick handling. Half time came with the visitors leading 17-13.
The second half was only 5 minutes old when ‘Shire scored a very good try after another impressive forward drive. The scorer was Keith McNeil. The conversion attempt by Willam Parker shaved the far post but stayed out. ‘Shire now led 18-17 and there was no further scoring for the rest of normal time. The game became a battle royal between the ‘Shire defence and the visiting backs who were proving a real handful. They were big and fast, a lethal combination! ‘Shire battled on with some very telling tackles and it was looking as though ‘Shire would hold out for a spectacular win. This was not to be and the try in injury time by the visitors gave them the game.
‘Shire certainly could have won this game and had chances in the first half to end the half with a substancial lead. The ‘Shire forwards were superb on the day and at the end they looked out on their feet. The visiting backs however were very impressive and their first 3 tries were scored with only minimum possession. ‘Shire must build on the superb team spirit which exists at the moment. They will play worse than this and win. Only a very capable and well drilled Strathendrick team denied then victory today.
Team: R Williams, B Forsyth, N Warwick, D Jessop (R Pauley) T Wilson, W Parker, C Stephens: M Hastie, G Keith, A Love, C McGregor, R Thomson (Capt), B Haigh, E Stevenson and K McNeil: Subs: A Rae, A McFadzean, R Pauley