homeaboutteamsfixturesnewseventsgalleriesshopsponsorslinksforum

Rams Take High Road To Edge Out Loch Lomond

Published on 17 September 2007 at 18:45:00

Moffat Rams 24  Loch Lomond 23

 

Moffat Rams came out on top on Saturday in a bruising, tense encounter against Loch Lomond to gain their first win in Scottish Hydro Electric West League Division 1.

After even opening moves, Loch Lomond were first to apply pressure with a move right up inside the Moffat 10 metre line that tested the Rams' defence. The play ended with a penalty to Loch Lomond, but luckily for the Rams it was pulled wide.  The Alexandria team then showed some good handling in a flowing move that broke several Moffat tackles for a converted try to open the scoring.

Slack discipline from Loch Lomond then let Moffat back into the match when Kevin Jack converted a penalty after a high tackle, only to push an other penalty just wide soon after following the first of many offside errors from Loch Lomond.  Just when the Rams were starting to gain the upper hand, a slack kick-out from defence was punished as Loch Lomond powered through for a further converted try to give the Rams an uphill task at 3-14 down.

A further brace of penalties gave Moffat a golden chance to get within reach, but Jack was having no luck as his kicks just drifted wide.  Flanker Polly Smith then thereatened with an excellent break that sliced open the visitors' defence, only to be stopped just short of line by an excellent tackle.  The slack discipline that marred Loch Lomond's play and was testing the referee then resulted in a yellow card for the visitors, Jack this time making no mistake as the first half ended at 9-14.

The Rams started the second half determined to get back in the game, and following more Loch Lomond ill-discipline, a Jack penalty immediately after kick-off only just fell short.  The Rams' recovery wasn't long in coming, however, as scrum-half Gordon Dinwoodie sliced open the visitors' defence for an unconverted try.  With the scores now level, the match swung from end to end, a period of prolonged and fruitless Loch Lomond pressure being relieved when Jack burst out of his own 22 to take play into the other half.  A missed Loch Lomond penalty was followed by more Rams' pressure, ending when Dinwoodie intercepted a loose pass to score his second try.  More Moffat pressure threatened another score but although the Rams failed to cross the line this time, they were rewarded when Jack found his kicking-boots to convert a penalty and put the Rams in the driving seat.

The action wasn't finished, however, as Loch Lomond ran a penalty and were only held up by excellent Rams' covering and tackling.  An unfortunate injury to second-row forward Alan Tyler (pictured bottom right) then gave both teams the chance for a breather before a frenzied finish in which the visitors pulled themselves right back with a converted try to come within a point of the Rams.  Jack then pulled a marvellous kick out of the bag with a converted penalty from the half way line, followed shortly thereafter by another attempt from fully 55metres that hit the crossbar and bounced clear.

The final twist in an enthralling match occurred with Loch Lomond popping over a drop goal, but the Rams held onto the single-point margin to record an important and well-earned victory.

Moffat Rams: K Jack, G Black, C Smith, D Scott, A Murray, B Hawthorn, G Dinwoodie, C Little, S Galloway, C Currie, A Tyler, J McDowall(C), K Carter, P Smith, R DRennan.

Replacements: S Borthwick, J Little, A Robb

Rams' coach Andy Ferguson was delighted with the win: "I'm very happy with the players' performances today, and they are starting to realise that they are in this league by merit and can compete at this level.  The injury to Alan Tyler was very unfortunate - he's sustained multiple fractures to his arm and will be out for the remainder of the season - but we've a strong squad and have nothing to fear."

Additional Images