Impressive performance from Endrick

Nov 30 2012 by Tom Yuill, Stirling Observer

Strathendrick continued their impressive run of form against Wigtownshire with an emphatic 57-0 win in RBS West Division Two on Saturday – writes Tom Yuill.

Prior to this season, Endrick had come out on top in all but one of their eight league matches against Wigtownshire.

When they lost narrowly in their match at Stranraer earlier this season they felt they had been a shade unlucky and went into the weekend determined to avoid a repeat.

A whirlwind start that saw them score four tries to tie up the try bonus point within the first half hour. The Fintry pack had control from the start with their fearsome back row totally in charge.

James Ogilvy and Ewan MacKay had two tries each to emphasise their dominance and Sam Greenock’s three conversions put Endrick 26-0 ahead. Before the interval they added a fifth try when Callum Ferguson sprinted through.

If the visitors thought Endrick might ease off in the second half they were given an answer in the first minute. James Ogilvy made the initial break before off-loading to skipper Duncan McEwan who finished the job competently for a try which Sam Greenock converted.

The captain showed his gratitude five minutes later by setting up an opening for Callum Ferguson to race home to score behind the posts and give Sam Greenock an easy kick to become the fourth Endrick player to reach double figures.

With seven tries scored and 45 points on the board Endrick took the opportunity to give all five replacements a run.

The new men settled in very comfortably but even fresh legs did not intimidate the Wigtownshire players who showed a commendable determination to stay in the game. They continued to defend stubbornly and occasionally got within sight of the Endrick line.

With ten minutes left Endrick got the scoreboard moving again when replacement Tom Longley nipped down the line to score his first try of the season and put up the half century.

In the final minute man-of-the-match James Ogilvy completed his hat-trick when Pieman MacKay executed a classic No 8 pick-up and handed the ball to his back row colleague to carry over.

Drew McDonald added the conversion to give Endrick a convincing 57-0 win.

Endrick: G Johnstone; C Ferguson, K Campbell, R Bruce, R McLaughlin; D McDonald, S Greenock; D Spence, T McNeill, C Gibson, D McEwan, J McLaughlin, S O’Brien, J Ogilvy and E MacKay. Replacements: S Cuthbertson, R Doyle, T Longley, F McKay and A Vickers.

Endrick’s first team are at home this week to league leaders Annan.

In eight games played to date Annan have lost only four tries.

The kick-off is at 2pm.

The second-string also have a big match on Saturday.Their visitors are Dalziel and it has been decided that the match will be treated as a double header – meaning the result will count for both home and away fixtures this season.

The kick-off is at 2pm.