Rugby: Narrow win for Endrick

Oct 21 2011 by Tom Yuill, Stirling Observer Friday

Helensburgh 9 Strathendrick 14

HELENSBURGH were the only team in the league with a 100 per cent record and the Grizzlies were the SRU's club of the month for September.

But a sterling performance by Endrick makes it very likely that the title will go elsewhere in October.

In the end the winning margin was only five points but tricky underfoot conditions made goal-kicking a lottery and Endrick missed five kickable pots at goal which would have yielded another 14 points.

The Fintry men took the game to their opponents from the start and in the first minute Sam Greenock opened the scoring when Helensburgh were penalised for a scrum offence. For the next half-hour play was exclusively in the Helensburgh half but Endrick were unable to cross the line. Sam Greenock had three kicks at goal in that spell but in each case his effort was just off-target.

With 32 minutes played Helensburgh crossed the halfway line for the first time with ball in hand. A late tackle after the ball had been kicked ahead resulted in a penalty just outside Endrick's 22 and that kick brought the sides level.

Endrick came right back on the attack and with three minutes of the half remaining looked set to score the game's first try. Ewan MacKay took the ball 15 metres from the line with only two men to beat but the referee stopped play to give Endrick a penalty in front of the posts. Sam Greenock kicked Endrick back into a 6-3 lead but in the final move of the half a rare Burgh foray into Endrick's territory produced another penalty and at the break, incredibly, the sides were level.

Helensburgh put on a more determined show in the second half but the only area of the game where they were on top was at the line-out. In every other respect they were second best and Endrick generally had the game under control.

In 51 minutes Endrick regained the lead when a good passing move gave Steven Bastock some room to work in and he raced down the wing for the game's only try. The kick at goal was missed but Endrick were ahead 11-6.

Ten minutes later Helensburgh cut into that lead with their third successful penalty but that was the end of their scoring for the day.

Endrick put in a big effort to stretch their advantage and some desperate defending resulted in a yellow card for a Burgh forward and a penalty for Endrick. Drew McDonald's kick at goal was unsuccessful.

It scarcely mattered because Endrick's next drive produced another penalty and from 28 metres Sam Greenock scored to give Endrick a narrow but well-deserved win.

ENDRICK: A MacDonald; C Ferguson, G Johnstone, K Campbell, S Bastock; R Kerr, S Greenock; C Gibson, D Brown, M Scott, D McEwan, G Scott, D Porteous, F McKay and E MacKay. Replacements: D Barrett, G Davies and J Ogilvy.

Endrick are at home on Saturday, Lenzie providing the opposition in a league match starting at 3pm.

Strathendrick 2nd30

Loch Lomond 2nd6

THE visitors opened the scoring with a penalty but by the end of the first half Endrick had complete control and led 23-6 with three tries, two penalties and a conversion.

Loch Lomond made changes for the second half which tightened up their performance but scored only one penalty while Endrick added a converted try.

Endrick's scorers were Neil McQuarrie with a try, two conversions and two penalties, Max Summers two tries and Danny Lavelle one try.

ENDRICK: D Lavelle; S Smith, M O'Connell, R Mair, S McBride; N McQuarrie, C Mundell; G Yuill, M Summers, S Campbell, A Summers, S Haslam, B Greenock, C Jewell and H Smith. Replacement: R Bruce.

Tomorrow ( Endrick 2nds are at home to Paisley 2nds in a league match.