Endrick lose out to Oban

Oct 3 2008 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

OBAN LORNE 15

STRATHENDRICK 10

FOR last Saturday's league match at Oban injuries and non-availability of players forced changes galore in the Endrick line-up.

Schoolboy, Davie Brown made his first appearance as hooker but the return of centre Richie Bruce after an absence of four years probably brought the average age back up.

From the kick-off it was clear that the heavy Oban Lorne pack would provide a big test for Endrick's forwards.

The Fintry men made a good start and in four minutes took the lead when Kyle Campbell kicked a penalty.

Oban continued to use their big men to carry the ball forward and in 13 minutes they went ahead scoring a try out wide. The conversion was missed.

Soon after, Richie Bruce's comeback was halted when he sustained a leg injury and had to retire, forcing more changes.

Endrick coped very well with these and their young players showed up well.

At half-time, with the score still at 5-3 Endrick took the opportunity to review their resources and Mark Braceland moved into the back division with the front eight shuffled to accommodate the changes.

Excellent

The second half started well for Endrick and some excellent phases of play and good support running resulted in a well worked try in the corner by Neil McQuarrie after 46 minutes. A superb conversion by Kyle Campbell put Endrick 10-5 ahead.

Further good work by Endrick's pack, with notable contributions from Ewan MacKay and Sandy Cuthbertson, in particular, kept Oban's forwards in check but eventually the line was breached in 56 minutes when Oban scored their second try to level the scores at 10-10.

Endrick responded well and a sustained spell in the Oban 22 might have produced points but the home side hung on.

With three minutes left and against the run of play, a break from their own half resulted in Oban being awarded a try. Bruce Duncan was convinced that he had got a hand under the ball but the score stood.

The conversion was missed and, although Endrick pressed hard in the final couple of minutes, they were unable to score and again had to settle for a losers' bonus point.

Endrick: N McQuarrie, K Campbell, T Whitaker, R Bruce, J Steel, B. Duncan, D Porteous, S Cuthbertson, D Brown, G McAlpine, M Braceland, J McLaughlin, B Holmes, E MacKay and S O'Brien, replacements, A Summers, G Yuill and J Weir.

This week Endrick are away to Loch Lomond in a league fixture. The kick-off is at 3 o'clock.

Strathendrick 2nds are away in a league fixture against Greenock Wanderers 2nds.