Endrick grab their chances

Jan 30 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

STRATHENDRICK 31

LOCH LOMOND 0

(SHE West League, Division One)

FOLLOWING Saturday's match, former Endrick favourite Iain "Muttley" Ross, now Loch Lomond's coach, was pondering how it was possible for his charges to have the bigger share of territory and possession and yet finish up on the receiving end of a good old thumping.

The probable answer is that Endrick took their chances – not all of them – while Lomond made their mistakes at the wrong time in the wrong place and paid for them.

It took Endrick just two minutes to go in front. Bruce Duncan hoisted a long kick into the visitors' half and the Lomond defender under it, probably aware of Russell Mair closing in at speed, made a hash of getting the ball to his fullback.

He was immediately nailed by Russell Mair. Steven Bastock had also arrived in attack and he fed Tony Whitaker who breezed in for his first try for Endrick. The conversion presented no problems for Kyle Campbell.

Buoyed up by this score, Endrick piled on the pressure and in the early stages were winning all the set pieces.

In 12 minutes they went further when Bruce Duncan received the ball with a bit of space and kicked a beauty of a drop goal from 32 metres.

After that both sides got stuck into each other in the now expected manner but neither was able to make any profitable progress in or around the opposition 22.

At the break the score was still 10-0 in Endrick's favour but at the beginning of the second half Lomond clearly had notions of turning the game round. They were able to keep play in or around Endrick's 22 but the Fintry defence showed why no visiting side has scored a single point against them in a league match at home since September.

Ten minutes into the half Loch Lomond had a great opportunity to spoil that splendid record. They were awarded a penalty 10 metres out and right in front of the posts but instead of kicking the easy points they went for the big prize and opted for a tap and drive.

Intercepted

Within a couple of paces from the try line the ball was thrown wide. It turned out to be a scoring pass but not exactly as intended. Scott McCabe intercepted the ball and took off for the other end to dot down at the posts to give Kyle Campbell another easy shot at goal.

The decision not to take the three points from a kick at goal had changed a possible seven point gap into a 17 point deficit.

The lesson was not heeded and another three possible scores were disregarded as Lomond again chose to run penalties from very kickable distances. None of these worked out as hoped, one being quickly turned over by Endrick, one resulting in a penalty against Loch Lomond but only the last in the final minute of the game proving to be as costly.

Hand’s breadth

In the middle period of the second half Endrick were able to take play into the visitors' territory but could not add to their tally. Bruce Duncan twice had the spectators applauding a try but the first apparently went over the dead ball line while on the second occasion he was stopped a hand’s-breadth from the line.

Endrick also made a hash of a couple of quick penalties in the opposition 22 but without the dire consequences suffered by the visitors.

Seven minutes from the end Endrick bagged their third try and again it was an interception.

Simon Emmerson was the man with the splendid anticipation as he collared a pass well inside his own half. He often makes spectacular progress with powerful 20 metre sprints but this time he stayed the course to go the full 60 metres to the other end and the only people with him as he crossed the line were in blue and white. Kyle Campbell made it 24-0 and the hunt was on for the four-try bonus point.

That was looking unlikely with play in Endrick's 22 and time running out. Incredibly Scott McCabe made another interception near his own line and outpaced all to score at the other end. Kyle Campbell sealed a 31-0 win with his fourth successful kick at goal.

This result moves Endrick into third place ahead of Cumbernauld on points differential.

Endrick: S McCabe (Capt); K Campbell, S Bastock, T Whitaker, R Mair; B Duncan, D Porteous; S Cuthbertson, T McNeill, G McAlpine, D McEwan, J McLaughlin, D McGuffie, M Braceland and E MacKay. Reps - A Christie, S Emmerson, and D Spence.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Endrick have a league fixture at Cumnock.

Not so long ago this would have been regarded as one of the hardest matches of the season but the Ayrshire side is struggling at present. The biggest threat to Endrick could be complacency. The kick-off is at 2pm.

STRATHENDRICK 2nds 0

GREENOCK WANDERERS 2nds 37

(2nd XV League, Division 5, West)

ENDRICK 2nds found Greenock Wanderers a very well balanced side in Saturday's league match at Fintry.

The visitors proved in attack to be very efficient finishers and in defence too well organised for Endrick to cash in on the few chances that came their way.

In the end the final scoreline of 37-0 reflects the Wanderers' superiority.

Endrick: D Beaumont; J Alexander, D McDonald, M O'Connell, J Porteous; N McQuarrie (Capt), D Riley; M Scott, G Buchanan, G Yuill, S Campbell, G Scott, B Holmes, C McIlwaine and C Jewell. Reps - G Davies, B Greenock and A Summers.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Endrick 2nds have a league fixture at Fintry against Cumbernauld 2nds.Kick-off is at 2pm.