Loch Lomond Rugby Club boosted by tries

Mar 27 2009 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

SATURDAY saw Lomond travel down the M77 to Cumnock for what has traditionally been a tough away fixture for them, but they came back worthy winners.

This season the men from Ayrshire have endured a torrid campaign and Lomond started as firm favourites.

The game kicked off in excellent conditions, and Lomond's forwards wasted no time in taking the game to their opponents, earning the hard yards and possession that allowed the backs to make inroads into the Cumnock half.

Cumnock were determined to make a fist of it, but despite indiscipline costing them several chances, Lomond eventually found a way through their defence.

Alastair Fairman charged down a slow clearance and gathered the loose ball before off-loading the ball to Craig Norrie who ploughed over for his 12th try of the season. McAdam made no mistake with the conversion and Lomond were comfortably on top.

Two more first-half tries followed. An excellent break from Gregor Mathieson set up Todd and moments later Brian Turner collected from the base of a ruck and rolled back the years, out-running the defence to score in the corner from 30 yards out.

McAdam was unfortunate with both conversions but with Cumnock's sole points coming from a penalty, at the half-time whistle Lomond were in front by 17 points to three.

The home team started the second half in determined fashion, looking to drag themselves back into the contest.

But the first 15 minutes of the half were only really notable for Lomond's inordinately high penalty count that saw them pinned in their own half, and left Drew McGinty cooling his heels in the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

Coach Ross went to his bench and soon afterwards Lomond scored again, but in controversial circumstances.

Quick ball from a ruck saw Fairman spin a great pass out to David Lockhart who tried to jink his way to the line, only to be tackled into touch.

However, as he was tackled he managed to wriggle free and slip the ball back infield to Fairman who re-gathered and scored.

The Cumnock team, who were certain the veteran winger had been forced out before he released the ball, were incensed, but the touch-judge's flag stayed down and the try stood.

The decision seemed to knock the stuffing out of Cumnock and Drew McGinty supplied the final blow when he smashed over between the posts from close range.

McAdam's second conversion of the day made the score 29-3 in Lomond's favour, a good away performance from the men in maroon and gold.

However, they're sure to face a tougher challenge next week when they welcome league leaders GHK to the Dilly.

Loch Lomond: McAdam; Todd; Mathieson; Nicholson; Malia; Fairman; A Flynn; D McGinty; Thomson; M Flynn; Turner; S McGinty; I Norrie; C Norrie; Sakerski. Replacements: Cowie; Tilley; Lockhart; Law.