The last game of the Mitsubishi Motors West U16 T4 Conference saw the Stewartry, at home, sitting at the top of the league and wanting to finish the league season on a high. Loch Lomond were the visitors and from their mid table position it was clear that they had the pedigree to cause an upset.
Stewartry U16 XV (56) vs Loch Lomond U16 XV (5)
The opening exchanges were inconclusive with Loch Lomond showing off their kicking game and the Stewartry trying to play a multiphase possession game. Unfortunately, the wind was biting and the frozen fingers made too many errors for either side to do much with the ball.
The deadlock was then broken by tries in quick succession for Fraser Forsyth, finishing a good handling move (having butchered a 3 man over lap moments before) and Peter Young bundling over after a pop pass from Rorry Sinclair at the base of a ruck.
The next try for Pacey Ho came after some messy play down the right, recalling the old fashioned Scottish tactic of the ‘foot rush’, which eventually saw the ball in Ho’s hands. He wriggled through several defenders before running around behind the post to score, with a spectacular splash, in the biggest puddle on the wet pitch.
Loch Lomond were not lying down and making it easy for the Stewartry however and continued to try to play. Their number 12 kept probing away with his kicks and on one break out, all that saved the Stewartry from conceding was a last ditch, very brave, tackle from David Martin who clung to one boot like a limpet.
The next two tries came after hard yards made by Andrew Bowden, Fin Telfer and Connor Clanachan, being turned into quick rucks from which, captain, Lochlann Spence and Rorry Sinclair both made it to the line.
At half time the team could be pleased with their lead of 29 points and set out their stall to score as many in the second half and to stop Loch Lomond from scoring.
This target did not start well however, as Loch Lomond scored a deserved try in the right hand corner. Exposing some weak Stewartry tackling and poor defensive organisation they drove though, having retained possession well.
The game then became rather messy as substitutes were given their chance on the pitch, some Stewartry players, generously, playing for Loch Lomond to allow full teams. The substitutes played their part in a good game with both Alexander Mc Cormick and Luke Thompson playing with assurance. Murray Ross and Murray Connor again did well but were frustrated by the lack of ball that found its way to the wings. The pattern of play was also disrupted by the paucity of stable ball for the scrum halves of either side. Archie Nicholson and Patrick Quigley both had turns at 9 and found the protection poor, while the scrum and lineout ball, though plentiful, was messy.
What the Stewartry were doing well however was supporting the attacking player in the loose. A great break out by Spence was halted yards short of the line, but Gibson, who had been on his shoulder for the break out, was perfectly positioned for the offload, running on to score. Similarly, a rampaging run by Ryan Cochrane, one of many, was stopped short only to find Paddy Traynor hitting the ruck to allow Fin Baillie to pick and go, scoring under the posts. Another similar run from deep in his 22, by Spence who bumped off Luke Thompson (then playing for Loch Lomond), was supported by Cochrane and Traynor, the move only just being halted before another score, 70 m later. Zak Hunter was another who, from his position in the front row, was always in support. A particularly memorable move came when covering back into his 22, Hunter sized up the onrushing kickchase and, eschewing the ‘safe’ pass to Spence, shimmied passed several defenders before setting off on a run out of danger.
As the match drew to a close, Stewartry continued to pressure the Loch Lomond defence. As the visitors began to tire, it enabled Baillie to score his second from a long arcing run as well as setting Forsyth up, with a beautifully weighted pass, to score his second try as well, both of them running past numerous defenders on their way to the line. Great running but tired defending.
Ten tries in the match and three conversions (unfortunately it was very poor conditions for the kickers) bear testament to a group of players who play with a smile on their face, love attacking and can defend when they have to. The coaches might like a bit more structure and precision in their game but as the team manager,. Kenny Young, said after the match “the League position says it all; played 6 won 6, scored 317 with only 20 against. Well done boys.”
