Last Saturday (21st October) Lomond-Helensburgh (L&H) faced off against West 2 leaders: Cambuslang. This was set to be a tough game for the home side, but spirits were high with two wins in a row under the home side belts.

L&H kicked off strong with a fierce away attack brining the ball into the homes 22, strong defense by L&H allowed for a turnover, resulting in a penalty to the home side for a high tackle by the visitors. However, the home sides defense wouldn’t last long as after seven minutes in a strong driving maul from a lineout to Cambuslang seen the ball passed out to the wing for the first try of the match. Not a great start for the home side. Score 0-7 Cambuslang.

L&H looked to restart strong, but straight after the restart a penalty was awarded to the away side for L&H diving in a ruck, this allowed the visitors to clear the ball downfield but a kick too far which resulting in L&H clearing the ball past the dead ball line in defense. Scrum down to Cambuslang on the L&H 5m line.

The ball quickly passed out the scrum along the line but a forward pass by Cambuslang saved L&H this time around with a scrum down to the home side on the 5m line. This allowed David Sterry to clear the ball to the hands of Cambuslang who were taken out of play by a smashing tackle by Craig Bowman. With the home side taken advantage of their lineout on their 22m, with a strong driving maul resulting in another penalty to L&H for the visitors collapsing the maul. This allowed Sterry to clear the ball once again to the visitors 10m line.

A strong linout by L&H’s Scott Smith allowed the ball to be passed out wide by the backs; Joe Bull leading the charge at Fly Half, to Warren Smith at center. Cambuslang offside at a ruck; with another penalty to L&H allowing them to almost grasp a try clearing to the 5m line for another home lineout.

Fired out of the lineout strong once again passed through the hands down the line to Bowman who mistakenly cut back inside to allowing a penalty to the visitors for crossing. With Sterry on the field covering the back this was kept in play. Allowing Sterry to begin the attack once again. Another penalty to the visitors for L&H not releasing, this was kicked in to the try zone but put down just in time by Bowman giving the home side a goal line drop out.

Cambuslang collected from the drop out they began another fast and tough attack moving the ball quickly right to left out to their wing, but a unique chip form the visitors saw the ball go out of play past the dead ball line; 22m drop out this time for the home side. This time however the home side wasn’t as lucky, with Cambuslang building another strong attack, this time succeeding and in for a try on the 20th minute. Score 0-14.

It looked like hard times were ahead for the home side as they restarted, but a strong defense allowed the ball to be overturned post kick this allowed the home side to begin a strong attack in the opposition half. A great defense by Cambuslang seen the ball taken out for a lineout to the away side. A long throw by Cambuslang deemed not straight by the referee, allowing L&H to opt for the scrum and regain possession. A great scrum by L&H against a seemingly larger pack, saw the ball taken by Reece Court for a strong run, passed to Michael Kinsman to charge down field. Cambuslang offside in the ruck, penalty L&H, which was cleared to the opposition 22m. Resulting in another strong driving maul from L&H from the lineout; but pulled down by the away side; penalty L&H. This allowed for another strong lineout on their 5m line, L&H now on the strong attack, pushing for their first points on the board. But to no avail another crossing error allowed Cambuslang a chance to clear with another penalty.

The away team were ready and willing for another try in the last five minutes of the half. Again, building up another strong attack, with L&H fighting to defend, turning over the ball in the home 5m, but a knock on, resulting in a scrum to Cambuslang. Taken strong and once again in for a try. Score 0-21 Cambuslang. Half time it was, the visitors dominating the first half, with L&H struggling to keep it together in the opposition’s danger zone.

The away team for the restart; kicked high allowing their team to get under the ball, collecting in the air, but a tackle in the air by Sean Goupillot seen a yellow card to L&H one minute in to the second half. Cambuslang straight away took advantage of the one extra man on the field attacking strong, and in for the try. Score 0-26 Cambuslang. What can L&H do now to fight back now, get some points on the board?

Restart from L&H sees an overturned ball to the home side, mounting the attack in the opposition half this time sees a yellow card shown to Cambuslang for a high tackle; Both teams now with only 14 men on the field, 2 minutes left for L&H yellow.

L&H finally managed to take advantage of the man up and forcing errors from the opposition allowing L&H penalties to gain ground up the field. Scrum to L&H on the away teams 5m, once again another strong scrum (Definitely one of the strengths for L&H this match), winning the scrum; fast hands by the backs; Joe Bull, to Warren Smith, to Craig Bowman; finishing with David Sterry (Sponsor: Argyll Aesthetics) for the try; converted by Warren Smith (Sponsor: Kick10Ball). Score 7-26 Cambuslang. Finally, some points on the board with 25 minutes remaining in the match.

Restart by Cambuslang, carrying out a strong attack, turned over by L&H, L&H continuing the attack gaining ground on the away team. A clearance kick by Smith post a penalty for Cambuslang offside and another yellow to the away team for continuous penalties. L&H seizing advantage taking the ball up the field, strongly passed out by Smith, on to Ian Fulton for a try L&H, converted by Smith (Sponsor: Kick10Ball). Score 14-26 Cambuslang.

With just over five minutes remaining L&H now seeking to come away with a losing bonus point (within seven points difference). A Strong scrum to L&H, to Smith, to Bowman, Sterry proving his pace, chipped by Sterry, knocked out by the opposition. Lineout to L&H on the away teams 22m. Good lineout by L&H, with the forwards continuing to push strong, Reece Court, out to Sterry once again, chipped through, but taken and cleared by Cambuslang for a lineout to L&H just inside the opposition 10m line.

Lineout won by Cambuslang, but turnover through a knock on by the away team into the hands of L&H. Collected and taken through the hands by L&H out to Sterry (Sponsor: Argyll Aesthetics) for another try. Smith (Sponsor: Kick10Ball) converting once again. With the score now 21-26 Cambuslang, three minutes to go, with no change in scores L&H would achieve at least a losing bonus point.

Now heads turn to L&H for the win, Cambuslang struggling to maintain their strong defense in this second half. Strong runs by Brian Lovell, securing the ball, Fulton kicking the ball back to the opposition 22. Secured by Cambuslang, but counter-rucked by L&H; penalty L&H for diving in the ruck by the away team. Kicked to the opposition touch by Smith, lineout on the 22m line. Last play on the cards from this lineout, the last chance for L&H.

Strong lineout into the driving maul, passed out along the line, to Fulton, high tackle Cambuslang, penalty to L&H, with the home team still looking for the win. Kicked for a lineout on the 5m line. Driving maul by L&H, passed out wide, knocked off the knee by L&H center, but blown fulltime for a knock on by L&H. Due to a melee post whistle, this also resulted in red card shown to the away team.

It wasn’t to be by L&H this time around, but a strong performance against the current league leaders, potential for a win, but L&H will receive a bonus point instead. Great effort and determination by the home side. Full time score 21-26 Cambuslang. Next weekend (Saturday 28st October) sees the 1XV away to Uddingston, 3PM Kick Off.

1XV Shirt Sponsors: Chrystals Shortbread, Stewart Travel, The Ardencaple Hotel & IFfluent.

1XV Team: Brain Lovell (Sponsor: Patron Morag Fraser), Scott Smith (Linda MacDonald Jewellery), Sean Goupillot, Tyler Gregson (La Jupe), Micheal Kinsman, Charlie MacKenzie (Patron Nick Parry), Kyle Crossan (Mary Kingshott), Tommy Mackay (No Limits Brewing), Tom Grey, Joe Bull, David Sterry (Argyll Aesthetics), Warren Smith(C)(Kick10Ball), Iwan Cavil, Dougie King (Bounce, Play & Party), Craig Bowman (Chrystals Shortbread), Peter McCready (Patron Ian MacQuire), Ross Duff, Joel Miller, T-Jay Lambert (Ashlar Consulting), Reece Court (Superbia Performance) & Ian Fulton.

(All photos credited to Guy Phillips & Paisley Colour Photographic Club).