Win a boost to survival hopes

Apr 16 2008 Lennox Herald

ONE more point — that’s all Loch Lomond need next week to avoid the dreaded drop.

Lomond kept their survival hopes alive with a spectacular bonus point victory over Moffat at the Dillichip on Saturday — but remain well aware they must keep their form to take one point from next Saturday’s final showdown with Strathendrick.

The home side started brightly, but soon found themselves on the back foot as Moffat were awarded two early penalties.

Luckily for Lomond the usually accurate kicker fell wide of the mark.

This sent Lomond on a run, and Sturgeon dived on a loose ball which he looked unlikely to win before whipping the ball through the back line to find Fairman to power his way through for his first try of the day.

Although the conversion was missed, Lomond were on form, and Sturgeon’s driving maul saw him plunge over the line for his first try in years — with McAdam this time adding the two points.

But Moffat worked their way back with a try from their stand off punishing Lomond’s poor tackling, though a lack of conversion let Lomond off the hook and back into their stride.

Good work from McAdam was rewarded with Fairman’s second try of the day and McAdam followed up well with the conversion, seeing Lomond just one try away from securing the bonus points — and it didn’t take them long to do it.

A quick succession of rucks by the forwards set up Norrie to pounce for their fourth, and victory was well within their reach.

Moffat sneaked another try just before half time to leave the score 24-12 at the break.

The away side came out fighting in the second half, desperately seeking the point that would send Lomond to the dogs, and added a third try, which, again, they failed to convert.

The Moffat surge didn’t last long and Lomond were soon on the scoresheet again, with Fairman securing his hat-trick.

Young substitute Malia also claimed a try, with McAdam converting.

With the win secured, Lomond saw out the remaining minutes tentatively and went all out to stop Moffat scoring a fourth try — one that would render their bonus point null and void.

At time up, the job had been done — and Lomond look to next week for their last chance to secure their place in division one for another year.

The Strathendrick match is at Fintry next week, kick off 3pm.

Lomond: McKay, Norrie, Law, Tilley, Strugeon, Todd, M Flynn, McGinty; A Flynn, McAdam, Ferrier, Fairman, Mathieson, Nicolson, Muir; Urquhart, Malia, Thomson