Four-try Endrick are too good for Dalziel

Aug 22 2008 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

STRATHENDRICK 28

DALZIEL 2ND 0

ENDRICK made a good start in the first full game of their pre-season work-outs in Saturday's friendly match against Dalziel 2nds at Fintry. The match was played in four quarters enabling all members of the squads to be given a run.

The visitors had much the better of the early play – in territorial terms at least – and Endrick spent the first 10 minutes of the match defending their line. They did that successfully and the second part of the first period went their way although they too were unable to turn pressure into points.

That changed right at the start of the second period when Endrick surged forward. They were awarded a penalty inside the Dalziel 22 and Ewan MacKay took a quick tap and made a few metres before feeding coach Gavin Blackburn who bulldozed the shortest route to the line for the opening try of the season. Kyle Campbell added the conversion.

Endrick continued to hold the upper hand and although there were the usual early days signs of rustiness, they doubled their score in 33 minutes with a peach of a try. Forwards and backs were involved before the ball was given to new captain Scott McCabe who picked his elegant way to the line. Kyle Campbell was again on the mark for the extra points.

Although the personnel changed, the pattern of play hardly altered in the third quarter with Endrick holding the edge. They had the only score in this period when they made ground with a driving maul from a line-out and Pete Pietrzyk and Dave McGuffie took the ball over, the latter getting the touch down. For the third time Kyle Campbell kicked successfully.

The final quarter was fairly even with Dalziel still trying hard to take something from the game. Endrick's attempts to add to their score were several times thwarted when their interpretation of the laws of the game did not appear to be coincide with that of the referee. Five minutes from the end this disadvantage worked to their advantage when they were controversially penalised just inside the Dalziel half. The visitors took a quick penalty and then telegraphed a huge crossfield pass. Pete Pietrzyk read the situation exactly and raced up to make the interception before sprinting to the line for Endrick's fourth try.

Kyle Campbell kept his record intact with his fourth conversion and Endrick's first outing ended with a 28-0 win.

It was a satisfactory opening but Endrick face a much more difficult challenge on Saturday when they meet Stirling County 2nd in a friendly at Fintry.

Endrick: Callum Ferguson; Drew McDonald, Scott McCabe (captain), Simon Emmerson, Stuart McGill; Kyle Campbell, Steven Bastock; Gavin Blackburn, Tam McNeill, Graham McAlpine, Gavin Scott, Sandy Cuthbertson, Dave McGuffie, Scott Forsyth and Ewan MacKay, replacements (all used) Dave Beaumont, Mark Braceland, Gerwyn Davies, Ben Greenock, Bobby Holmes, Graeme Johnstone, Pete Pietrzyk, John Steel, Andy Turner and Euan Willder.