Loch Lomond Rugby Club bounces back to get points

Feb 6 2009 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

WHAT doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – and Loch Lomond proved that on Saturday by bouncing back from last week’s defeat.

The first 10 minutes were scrappy but Lomond soon had their line-out working like a dream, adding to their opponents' woes by bossing the scrum and dominating in the loose. Gaps soon appeared all over the park.

Unable to contain the home side, the Police were forced into desperate rearguard action that resulted in a kickable penalty being awarded to Lomond on 15 minutes.

It was a tricky chance but McAdam stepped up and comfortably converted to nudge Lomond in front.

Sensing they had the advantage, Lomond pressed their attack from the restart and after a series of forward drives, Fairman collected the ball and darted up the blind side. His strength, and a couple of outrageous dummies, completely flummoxed his markers and he literally waltzed home to complete an amazing try.

McAdam nailed the conversion to give Lomond a 10-point lead.

But Lomond were soon served a reminder that their opponents should not be taken lightly as the Police's outside centre took advantage of the narrowest of gaps to gallop through the Lomond defence.

A combination of McAdam, Cowie and Fairman spared the home side's blushes but it was a narrow escape.

The home support didn't have long to wait before Lomond scored again.

Some patient build-up play, with the forwards making the hard yards and sucking in defenders, was capped by more magic from Fairman.

Once again exposing the blind side with his pace, he took advantage of the ensuing confusion, and slipped a wonderful pass to Ferrier, who stormed through to score beneath the posts.

McAdam was once again unerring with the kick and the score was 17-0 at half time

It was inevitable that the Police would come out fighting at the restart, and with Ferrier sin-binned for a high tackle, the away side were afforded more running room and surged over the line from the resultant penalty – although the conversion went wide.

Lomond were soon back on the attack and Fairman sealed the win with another break through the defence – ensuring himself the 'man of the match' award.

McAdam, with his sights zeroed in, made no mistake with the conversion to make the score 24-5.

The home team were completely dominant but passed up several chances to grab the fourth try that would have earned them a bonus point.

Instead, Lomond had to make do with another dead-eye penalty from McAdam to take the score to 27-5.

Next week Loch Lomond travel to face a struggling Cumnock side.

Loch Lomond: A McAdam, S Cowie, G Mathieson, S Ferrier, D Lockhart, A Fairman, C Lewsley, D McGinty, B Malone, E Todd, G McDermott, J Sturgeon, S Dennison, C Norrie, I Norrie. Subs: S Corrigan, J Law, P Sikersky.