Villagers succumb to Lomond’s class

Oct 3 2008 by Marc McLean, Lennox Herald (main ed)

LOMOND travelled to Uddingston filled with confidence as the ‘Villagers’ have endured a torrid start to their league campaign and are already mired in a fight against relegation.

But it was quickly apparent that Uddingston had failed to read the form book and they spent most of the first 20 minutes camped in the Lomond half, thanks to a series of powerful drives from forwards and backs.

Some big hits and last-ditch tackles kept the Lomond line intact, but it was clear that their opponents were stubbornly unwilling to roll over and surrender.

The home side surged into the lead they deserved when they worked the ball to their powerful centre who slipped through some weak tackles before racing over in the corner.

The conversion was missed, but worse was to come for Lomond when, after being penalised for an infringement at the breakdown, the home side converted a penalty to make the score 8-0 as half-time approached.

The boisterous home support may have been dreaming of an unlikely victory, but Lomond finally woke up after about 25 minutes and started behaving like the unruly guests they usually are.

A charge into the opposition 22 that unfortunately resulted in an injury to Thomson, also yielded a scrum close to the home line.

Flynn, playing at number eight, picked up from the set-piece and powered over from close range. McAdam landed the tricky conversion to bring the scores to 8-7 and inject some much-needed belief back into the Lomond side.

The first-half ended frenetically as Lomond initially seemed to open up a decisive lead when Iain Norrie combined skilfully with Urquhart to allow the latter to barge over the line for another score which was converted.

However. in a breathless conclusion to the half, there was still time for Uddingston to land a sucker punch and create their own score, which was also converted, making the score 15-14 to Uddingston. Had the Villagers managed to weather the Lomond storm?

The answer took a while to arrive but by the time the second half was over, it had been given emphatically.

The first 10 minutes after the restart produced some nervous play but Lomond gradually imposed their will more firmly on the game and their doggedness won them a penalty that was duly converted by Nicholson to edge them 17-15 ahead.

Uddingston kept battling and were still very much in the game but a second penalty effort from Nicholson stretched the lead further before Mathieson, lurking with intent, snatched an interception score that finally broke home hearts.

As Uddingston’s defences began to wilt in the final quarter, Lomond moved through the gears and laid siege to the home line. Malone ensured there would be no respite for the defenders when he pirouetted away from a ruck, drew the last defender and off-loaded to Flynn who gratefully snapped up his second try.

Substitute Craig Norrie, making his return from injury, completed the scoring in the last move of the game when he touched down behind the posts.

The final score-line was hard on Uddingston who, particularly in the first half, fought desperately hard for the win but by the final whistle, the gulf in class between the teams was obvious.

This excellent win boosts the team to third place in the division

Lomond’s next match is a home fixture this Saturday against Strathendrick at Dillichip Park, kick-off 3pm. The visitors have yet to win a league match, and Lomond will be out to ensure that doesn’t change.

Training is at the clubhouse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.45pm.

Meanwhile, Loch Lomond Colts narrowly lost 18-14 to a more experienced Clydebank Colts at the weekend.

On the evidence of this game, Lomond’s current first team players had better start looking over their shoulders because the club’s next generation of players are already showing great promise.

Ewan Driver scored two excellent tries and won man of the match for his strong all- round performance. His fellow scorers were Ciaran O’Donnell and Andrew Johnson, while Iain Allan deserves special praise for a strong defensive display.

All the players involved emerged with great credit and can look forward with confidence to their next fixture, a tournament being organised by West of Scotland RFC.

Meanwhile, Helensburgh notched an emphatic 53-5 win at Ardencaple on Saturday against Grangemouth, and collected another bonus point to boost their challenge In National League division 3.

They’re now on 13 points, and sitting sixth in the table. They are away to third-placed Lenzie this Saturday.