McLAREN 19pts STEWARTRY 17pts
After Stewartry’s good start the previous week they travelled up to Callander to be the first team to play on the new pitch which had taken five years to develop.
McLaren were keen to have a winning start and it took Stewartry winger Andrew Kerr to save a first minute score when he was first to touch down a McLaren chip ahead. Stewartry made good progress back up the field winning a lineout five metres from the try line. Porteous took the ball and the Blacks drove to the line but lost possession from the second penalty they were awarded. In seven minutes McLaren did open the scoring with a try in the corner. Three minutes later Stewartry were awarded a penalty after a shoulder charge on David Kerr but the penalty was missed. Five minutes later full back John Fingland made a try saving tackle five metres from the Stewartry line. Stewartry were soon on the attack and Fingland and David Kerr took play over the halfway line before an injury to Kerr in the tackle saw him replaced by Cammy Fenwick. McLaren were penalised on a number of occasions as Stewartry made progress to their line but Martin Smith was held up just short. Another five metre scrum saw Smith pickup and drive to be stopped short but John Kerr following up divided over to score. The conversion was missed and the first half finished five points each.
McLaren started the second half as they did the first half with Ian McMorran the Blacks saviour as he turned the ball over and cleared their lines from five metres out. McLaren were soon back on the attack this time up the left wing to score in the corner. The conversion was added. Sainsbury replaced John Kerr. Both sides started punting the ball back and forward with McLaren eventually taking the advantage and scoring at the posts. The conversion was added. Stewartry put the pressure on and some scrummages on the McLaren line saw the chance lost with a knock on one metre short. More Stewartry pressure was rewarded when Martin Smith went over for a try. The conversion missed. With seven minutes left the McLaren winger charged up the right wing but good defence saw Andrew Kerr bundle the winger into touch. From a dropout 22 Stewartry won a lineout on the halfway line the ball was whipped out to TJ McCarney who broke through two tackles and charged up the wing passing the ball inside to Andrew Kerr five metres out who went in behind the posts for a score. Scott Carson added the points.
In the last minute Stewartry had a penalty chance from the halfway line to win the game but the kick fell short McLaren winning 19-17.
Stewartry Squad J Fingland, A Kerr, TJ McCarney, Danny Boyd, S Carson, D Kerr, J Farquhar, M McCulloch, D Burton, I McMorran, R Porteous (captain)
K McMinn, J Kerr, G Ward, M Smith, H Sainsbury, C Fenwick, C Mosey.
