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Scottish Hydro Electric Regional League West Division 2- Moffat Rfc 39 Mclaren Fp Rfc 13

Published on 17 April 2007 at 23:16:00

Rams Promotion Push Almost There!

Moffat RFC 39 McLaren FP RFC 13

The request for a large turnout to support the Rams in their last home game of the season was responded to, and more, as in excess of 100 people decided to forego the chance of a spontaneous ‘Barbie' and turned up at the Holm to sample something even tastier.  The challenge for the Rams was clear enough. A win by sufficient margin including at least four tries would secure sufficient points to achieve promotion. The Prize for such an achievement would be elevation from the current West League Division 2 Group 1 to Regional Division 1 for next season.  The scene was set for a fierce encounter and the visitors had no intention of being cannon fodder for their hosts, providing stern resistance from start to finish and causing a deal of consternation among the home fans as the scores so coveted by the Rams failed to materialise in the early stages.  The war of attrition in the first phase was fought out between the two packs where Moffat were under intense, and not always legal, pressure from a savvy visiting eight.  The stalemate could have been broken but a couple of wayward penalty kicks from the usually accurate boot of Kevin Jack meant that the digital scoreboard remained dormant for a considerable spell.

The Rams line up saw Gordon Dinwoodie at full back partnered in the back three by the hirsute Alex Jefferson and the recently sheared Andy Wallace.  The centre pairing of Kevin Jack and Clint Smith tackled everything that moved and provided some rapier sharp thrusts, which at times threatened to mortally wound the game visitors. At halfback the versatile Graham Gemmill occupied the scrum half berth and fed an increasing amount of ball to Michael Lockhart as the Moffat pack slowly ground down their opponents.

The deadlock was finally broken by the former of the half backs as a gap presented itself and young Gemmill flew through and evaded several despairing tackles before touching down for a great solo try which was converted by Kevin Jack.  Buoyed by this success the bold Jack rediscovered his kicking boots and stretched the lead with a further two penalties.  A McLaren penalty briefly narrowed the gap until a surging run by Clint Smith saw another converted try take Moffat into the interval with a 20-6 advantage and half the required try tally in the bag.

The second half began after a period of rehydration and vitamin replacement and followed much the same pattern as the first half.   Captain Jamie McDowall partnered in the boiler house by Alan Tyler drove on the Rams pack relentlessly. They packed down behind a front row in which Cammy Little and Craig Currie provided the necessary support for the indefatigable Scott Galloway who once again contrived to pilfer a portion of the opposition ball.  The breakaway trio of Bob Drennan, Polly Smith and Matt Wennington won the battle of the loose ball and their performance was instrumental in disrupting such attempts as the visitors made to escape the corporate stranglehold in which they found themselves.

The home substitutes were used astutely by Moffat coach Andy Ferguson, who had a ten minute rest imposed on him at one point for careless use of the tongue, and Kenny Carter, Calum Jardine and in particular Davy Scott all made telling contributions when introduced. The latter proved a revelation after returning from a week on the Piste and put in some astonishing breaks with ball in hand.  With two tries still to get it was great to see backs coach Ian Hobson elicit a positive response from his troops as Kevin Jack made a sensational break from his own half and crossed for a superb, but unconverted try.

Tails up now and the Rams started to produce some serious joined up rugby with the full width of the green sward being utilised to prize open a defence with a tighter grip than club Treasurer Ron Litherland.  A stunning move saw Alex Jefferson overcome the handicap of two very garish blue boots to score the vital fourth try which was greeted with great euphoria by the assembled throng. The conversion was a formality and at 32-6 the Moffat men had achieved their goal.  This was not enough however to satisfy the Rams and a further fast handling move saw Polly Smith cross the whitewash while the redoubtable Jack converted to take the home tally to 39 points.

The visitors gained just reward for their never say die attitude and scored a late try to narrow the deficit which, it has to be said, could have been wider had the referee seen a clear Bob Drennan try and if Alan Tyler had not spilt the ball after crossing the line.

Nonetheless this was a highly satisfying result from a group of players who have recovered from a ropey start to the season to put themselves in a strong position to secure second place if a win is recorded next weekend at Birkmyre. 

Finally huge thanks must go to the massive and extremely supportive crowd who have helped the club throughout not just this season but ever since the club was established in 1994. Everyone in the club hugely appreciates the support and it is hoped that a travelling support will help with the final hurdle at Kilmacolm next week.

Would all players please confirm availability or otherwise to Andy Ferguson and, given the current road works on the M8 the meeting time for departure from Moffat is 11.30am on Saturday.

 

 

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