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Match Report - Moffat Rams 16 Birmyre 3

Published on 30 January 2007 at 22:43:00

Moffat Rams powered their way to overcome a stuffy Birkmyre side and gain their second impressive win since they qualified for the top section in Regional League West Division 2.

The Rams line-up saw Clint Smith start at stand-off, with Andrew Wallace and Kevin Jack taking up the centre slots, David Scott and Alex Jefferson on the wings, and Mark Clark retaining his scrum-half position.  In the forwards, prop Craig Currie failed a late fitness test and was replaced by Stuart Jack.

The match started with the Rams keen to get the upper-hand by putting early pressure on the visitors.  A penalty award sailed just wide before continued Moffat pressure saw winger Jefferson kick forward, the ensuing attack being stopped on the 10m line.  A further penalty for the Rams almost saw them open the scoring, but Jack's well-struck kick rebounded from the post.

The scoring wasn't long in coming, though, as a strong break from Clint Smith was taken up by Jefferson, who in turn released to Jack for a great try to warm the crowd.  Jack himself converted.  A Moffat handling error inside their own 22m line almost saw Birmyre immediately get back in the game, but the chance was lost as the Rams' defence regrouped.

The first half ended with Moffat retaining the upper hand and appearing well in control before a flurry of penalties, two succesfully taken by Kevin Jack and one scored by Birkmyre, saw the score at 13-3 to Moffat at the break.

Birkmyre emerged for the second-half clearly determined to get back in the match and an early penalty gave them a chance.  The kick, however, sailed wide.  The Rams then put in a good move of their own with a break up the wing by Scott that took the pressure off the Moffat defence, although no score resulted.  That pressure quickly resumed, however, and only resolute Rams defending on their own try line kept the visitors at bay.  The frantic pace of the match and the determined efforts of both teams then came to a head with a melee involving both teams that saw the greatest number of handbags weilded in the region since Binns' closing down sale.  Moffat's Jefferson and Birkmyre's Law were dimissed from the field as a result.

A further penalty despatched in typical fashion by Kevin Jack saw the Rams' lead stretch to 13 points and from then on the match became a scrappy affair as the legs tired on the heavy pitch, no further score seeing Moffat win by 16 points to 3.

Coach Andy Ferguson was delighted with the win: "We prepared very thoroughly for this match as we had a good idea how they would play and what we had to do to win" he commented after the game. "Although it meant some difficult choices, the team selection was designed to counter their main threats and the work on the training ground together with the application of the game plan on the pitch won it for us.  It just goes to show what we can do when we have all the squad available for training".

Moffat:  G Gemmill, A Jefferson, K Jack, A Wallace, D Scott, C Smith, M Clark, S Jack, S Galloway, C Little, A Tyler, J McDowall(C), K Carter, P Smith, M Wennington.

Replacements:  G Dinwoodie, S Renwick, M Lockhart

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