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Regional League 2 (promotion Group) Mclaren 5 - Moffat 30

Published on 20 February 2007 at 09:26:00

Late pitch problems at Callander necessitated this crucial West Regional League 2 promotion group match being shifted to a back pitch at Stirling County's ground at Bridgehaugh. On a bright, dry breezy spring day the Rams added another first to their short history when they outplayed their hosts comprehensively to record an excellent away win.

Work commitments meant that Stuart Renwick, Stewart Jack and Andrew Wallace were unavailable but never the less the Rams travelled full of confidence and intending to continue their rich vein of form. The back three comprised of Gemmell excelling at full back, and wingers Scott and Jefferson give a massive presence, both in attack and defence, out wide. The inside backs had Kevin Jack and Clint Smith reunited in the centre. Mike Lockhart started at stand off with young Mark Clark continuing his senior rugby education at scrum half.

Up front the Rams fielded the regular front row of Little, Galloway and Currie with the second row ballast coming from Captain Jamie McDowall and Alan Tyler. In an unchanged back row Carter, Wennington and Polly Smith made up the starting eight. The replacements bench was filled by Gordon Dinwoodie, Calum Jardine and Bob Drennan. McLaren have always been a hard team to beat and this game was to be no different. Their combination of tenacity, forward power and a couple of backs who look more like front row forwards gave them a menacing look.

The Rams started the first half playing into the breeze and facing the bright low sun. They were immediately kept on the back foot with waves of McLaren attacks threatening the Moffat line. Good resolute defence, a hallmark of the Rams, weathered the storm. About twenty minutes into the game Moffat made ground into the McLaren half for the first time. Desperate defence saw the home team leak a penalty and Kevin Jack slotted the first points of the game. McLaren came back but yet again the Rams controlled their surges with some superb tackling and ball winning. A counter attack on the thirty minute mark from a McLaren kick saw full back Gemmell make ground before kicking ahead but unfortunately the ball rolled into touch on the McLaren 22. A moment of madness by the McLaren winger gifted the Rams a rare opportunity when he took a quick throw to a bemused team mate. He completely missed the ball and Gemmell following up his own kick was quickest to react. He hacked the ball on and touched down under the posts giving Kevin Jack the easiest of conversions. The score at half time was McLaren 0 - Moffat 10 and the better opportunity taking by the Rams being the difference between the sides.

In the second half a determined Moffat had the breeze and sun on their backs and the game theirs for the taking. Good pressure gave Jack the opportunity to add another penalty to stretch the lead. Not to be outdone McLaren came back at the Rams in determined fashion. Some tactical, planned changes saw Drennan enter the fray for Tyler and Dinwoodie replace Lockhart with Clint Smith moving to stand off. Almost immediately sustained McLaren pressure paid of and they scored a well worked try out wide on the right after sucking in the Moffat defence bringing the score to 5-13 and too close for comfort.

This was the wake up call needed. More Moffat pressure saw McLaren infringe under their posts and again Jack stuck away the resultant penalty to re-establish a healthy lead. The Rams kept up almost constant pressure from here onwards and good back up work from both backs and forwards combined saw Gemmell cap an excellent afternoon by scoring his second try. Again Jack added the conversion before the same player added yet another penalty to stretch the lead. Another tactical move saw Jardine replace Scott on the sixty minute mark. With the Rams now sensing a well earned victory a brilliant midfield break by Mark Clark saw the youngster kick ahead. He was easily winning the race to the line but he was stopped by a cynical trip by a McLaren player.  The referee had no hesitation and awarded the penalty try. Again Jack converted to seal a well earned victory.

On a day when all 18 players played their part the exceptional tackling performance of the midfield backs blunted McLaren's most lethal attacking weapons. Full back Gemmell (pictured) stood out as he was an inspiration with his solid defence, scintillating incisive running and opportunity taking. With the back row giving a highly disciplined performance, scavenging as a trio, well supported by the rest of the forwards, their tackle count and more importantly their ability to frustrate and turn over opponents ball proved crucial.

In reality the Rams overall performance was such that they never looked like losing this match. It was however a good solid performance from a team who have learned the habit of winning and enjoy the feeling. Rams coach Andy Ferguson was delighted after the game. He said "this was a sound team performance with backs and forwards combining well both in attack and defence". He added cannily "We're sitting up near the top of the group and if results elsewhere are favourable the destiny of the team could pretty well be in our own hands. If we continue to improve in this way and win our remaining games we will be hard to catch. With the proper application we are capable of achieving promotion at Holm Park for the third consecutive season".

Team: Gemmell, Jefferson, K Jack, C Smith, Scott, Lockhart, Clark, Little, Galloway, Currie, Tyler, McDowall (c), Carter, P Smith, Wennington.

Replacements: Dinwoodie for Lockhart, Drennan for Tyler and Jardine for Scott.