STEWARTRY 27pts PAISLEY 16pts
Stewartry made it three league wins in a row with a hard fought win over a Paisley side that won last seasons game at Greenlaw 18-17.
Paisley attacked from the start with the wind behind them. The first quarter of the game was played in the Stewartry half mostly in the Blacks 22. Stewartry’s scrum was more than holding its own while best for Paisley were their no 8 and scrum half who was giving Stewartry’s scrum half Thomson a torrid time. Cannon charged forward into the Paisley half Mosey gained possession and kicked to touch in the Paisley 22.From the line out Cannon again charged forward fifteen metres to score the opening try. Stewartry gave away a penalty at the restart which Paisley converted. From the kick off Muir made a strong run but the ball was lost in a turn over which was then won back by Maxwell. Porteous drove forward and fed Muir who ran clear to score at the posts. Mosey converted. Paisley again fought back and their no 10 waltzed through the Blacks defence to score near the posts. Just on half time Mosey converted a penalty from forty metres out for Stewartry to lead 15-10 at half time.
Stewartry now had wind advantage and Ian Fenwick replaced youngster Maxwell, Fenwick taking the ball deep into the Paisley half with his first play. Paisley were awarded another penalty which they converted closing the gap to two points. Stewartry opted for a scrum at their next penalty award which they won John Kerr picked up and put Porteous in for a try. Paisley never gave up taking the game back to Stewartry winning another penalty which they converted 20-16. From the kick off Stewartry again won a scrum on the ten metre line the Stewartry back row broke away and passed inside to Ian Fenwick who galloped away to score in the corner. Mosey converted from the touch line. 27-16. Paisley still took the game to Stewartry and into the strong wind but were denied a possible try by replacement Cammy Fenwick’s excellent cover tackle. Stewartry at last took control to run down the clock for the win in a very hard fought game.
The result keeps Stewartry in second place in BT West division Two.
This week Stewartry were due away to Clydebank but the fixture is reversed and there will be a double fixture at home Stewartry v Clydebank and Stewartry 2ndxv v Clydebank 2ndxv both games kicking off at 1.00pm followed by the World Cup Semi final South Africa v New Zealand kick off 4.00pm.
