In a highly anticipated local derby on November 4th, Lomond-Helensburgh's (L&H) 1XV faced off against their rivals, Clydebank 1XV who were just one place ahead of L&H in the league table. The match took place at Ardencaple, promising an exciting day of rugby action for fans on both sides. With the L&H 2XV taking on East Kilbride for another double header at the home grounds.

Lomond-Helensburgh 1XV Vs Clydebank 1XV

Clydebank dominated in the scrums but battle for the win.

L&H start the game strong with a well placed kick in to the visitors 22m line, a strong defence make Clydebank kick to clear, but offside at the kick, allow a L&H penalty on the 22m line, kick to the opposition 5m line by Reece Court for a lineout L&H. A strong lineout by L&H into a driving maul over the opposition try line and grounded by Craig Norrie; converted by Reece Court. Score 7-0 L&H after three minutes.

Clydebank for the restart; the restart kick in to the homes half sees the ball bounce straight in to touch without any team claiming it; lineout L&H. But not straight at the lineout, scrum to Clydebank. L&H dominating the first sceum of the maych and force the away team to use the ball early. But managing to swiftly move the ball down to their right wing, but an injury at the ruck stops play momentarily, restarted with a scrum to Clydebank. The away team using the ball well, forcing errors in the homes play awarding Clydebank a penalty for now releasing L&H; unfortunately, clydebank over kick passed the dead ball line, resulting in a scrum to L&H on their 22m line.

Using the scrum well, L&H take the opportunity to push the ball back in to the opposition half with strong runs by Craig Newport; but a turnover at the ruck sees Clydebank retain position, with a chip over the top back to the hands of L&H; but a knock results in possession giving back to the Clydebank for another scrum to the away side on L&H 10m line.

Another strong scrum by Clydebank sees the ball fly along to their left wing, L&H missing crucial tackles allowing the visitors to run the ball up to the homes 5m line, with the visitors pushed in to touch by a try saving tackle by Jordan Ward. Overthrown by L&H in the lineout, and not thrown straight another scrum to Clydebank on the homes 5m line. The visitors dominating the scrum with L&H forcing a penalty to the away side for not managing to stay up in the scrum. The visitors opting for a scrum; an advantageous choice considering the scrum performance of L&H so far. Clydebank use the scrum well, once again passing the ball out wide, but a great tackle by Kiniviliame Dakuliga forces the attacker to the knock the ball forward in the tackle.

The away side dominate the scrum once again forcing L&H to get the ball out early; Tom Gray out to Craig Bowman, to Kiniviliame Dakuliga to Kyle Crossan back up to the half way line. Turnover at the ruck sees the ball back in to Clydebanks hands, to allow them to begin another strong attack down the right wing. Passed back inside to the left wing, Clydebank find the space just at the edge of the part on the blindside of a ruck, evening up the score to 7-7 with a successful conversion.

L&H restart; in to the hands of the visitors, but a scrappy collection knocks the ball on, scrum L&H on the visitors 22m line. Tom Gray tries to clear but is taken down by the opposition scrum half; a high tackle though, penalty L&H, cleared to just outside the opposition 5m line by David Sterry. A great throw in the line out to the back jumper; Kyle Crossan by Scott Smith, passed out wide but unfortunately turned over once again in the ruck on the opposition. Clydebank fiercely counter attacking down the pitch, but holding on in a ruck on the half way line gives L&H another penalty, kicked to the 5m line by David Sterry. L&H cant capitlise with a penalty to Clydebank for accidental offside, allowing them to clear but not making touch, in to the hands of David Sterry inside who runs the ball from L&H half to inside the opposition 22m line. Passed out to the right wing by Craig Bowman, to a strong run by captain Andy Ripo. Passed back along to the left wing to the hands of Kiniviliame Dakuliga who finds the gaps and scores a try on the 25th minute, converted by Reece Court. Score 14-7 L&H.

Restart by the visitors, unfortunately doesn’t make 10m, giving the ball to L&H for a scrum down on the half way line. Clydebank once again dominating the scrum, push L&H back 5m, this forces Tom Gray to clear fast, to David Sterry who clears the ball up the park, return by Clydebank to the hands of Jordan Ward, but a knock on in the collection; scrum Clydebank just inside L&H 10m line. Aggressive attacks by Clydebank cycles through the phases, opening up gaps in the L&H defence, spotting the gaps, Clydebank run in for a try, with a successful conversion they tie the game once again, score 14-14.

L&H force the ball out of play on the restart, with another good line out thrown to Kule Crossan, out to the hands of Craig Bowman, to Jordan Ward who makes a tremendous break finding the space. Back out to the left wing in from the ruck, back inside to Kiniviliame Dakuliga who once again finds the space in defence for another try, with another successful conversion by Reece Court. Score 21-14 to L&H.

Clydebank restart into the hands of Charlie MacKenzie, who collects in L&H 22m, skipping the defence to move the ball up to near the half way line. MacKenzie repositions to collect the ball again from the ruck, and moves the ball another 10m, but off the feet at the ruck sees the ball back into Clydebank hands for a penalty, cleared to L&H 22m line. A good line out by the visitors who effectively move the ball down to the right wing, but good counter rucking by L&H overturns the ball, allowing the home side to mount the attack, cleared to the aways 22m, kicked back in the open space, with the ball bouncing in to touch for a L&H lineout just outside the home 22m line.

L&H pass out wide, but this time around they are overturned by Clydebank. The away team going through the attacking phases on L&H 22m, forcing errors, and receiving a penalty for L&H coming in from the side in a ruck. Clydebank opt to tap and go, and happiuly receive another penalty just outside the home 5m for L&H offside. Opting to take a kick at goal, Clydebank close the gap; score 21-17 L&H.

With five minutes to half time, L&H restart. Clydebank start their attack but knocking it on, on their 10m into the hands of L&H, Clydebank not rolling away at the ruck penalty to L&H, kicked in to touch to just outside the away teams 5m line. L&H hoping for another try to extend the lead before half time. Another good lineout with a strong run by Jack Chapman, but not releasing after the tackle, allows Clydebank to clear the ball to just outside the half way line for a Clydebank lineout.

L&H steal the ball at the lineout but knock it forward, scrum Clydebank, who clear back along the line, however collected and chip over the top by Craig Bowman, this time Clydebank not releasing at the ruck, penalty L&H 5m from the line. Reece Court taking the points to finish the half, 24-17 to L&H.

The half starts with anything to play for, for both teams. Clydebank to restart. In to the hands over David Sterry who clears from the homes 22m to the visitors 22m, with Clydebank unable to collect on the ground pushing the ball out for a L&H lineout. Passed back to the left wing but fumbled and luckily knocked on by Clydebank. Scrum L&H. Clydebank once again dominating in the scrum forcing Tom Gray to quickly play the ball in to the hands of Craig Newport, Clydebank not releasing at the ruck penalty L&H, but this time around Sterry fails to make touch. L&H right up in defence forces Clydebank to knock on, just outside their 5m line. Once again L&H failing in the scums, driving up, giving Clydebank a freekick who dominate in attack running the ball up to the L&H 22m line, Clydebank try to chip to the try line, but the ball goes dead, scrum L&H on the homes 22m. L&H offside at the scrum, allowing Clydebank to reduce the points difference further with a kick at goal. Score 24-20 L&H.

L&H for the restart, chased up quickly by Jordan Ward who tackles the catcher on the away 22m line. Overtunred at the ruck but knocked on by L&H. Clydebank attempt to clear but kick the ball straight out handing the ball back to L&H hands, lineout L&H collected well by Jack Chapman. Passed out wide with another strong run by Charlie MacKenzie, knocked on again at the ruck, scrum too Cldyebank inside their 22m. This time Clydebank clear well with a precise kick to the halfway line. Lineout L&H. Kicked overhead by David Sterry, Clydebank return another winning kick to gain ground into the homes half.

Lineout taking well by L&H, but overturned and luckily again knocked on by Clydebank in the ruck. Scrum on the visitors 10m to L&H. Taking out to David Sterry for a run, high tackle Clydebank, penalty L&H. Sterry this time over kicks to the dead ball line, giving possession back to the Clydebank at the point of the penalty with a scrum down. Clydebank once again pushing the L&H scrum back and giving advantage to Clydebank who are unable to use, penalty to Clydebank who clear to the homes 22m line. Offisde at the lineout by Cldyebank, penalty L&H who kick the ball back down field for a L&H lineout on the opposition 22m. Passed out wide once again, but another knock on, scrum to Clydebank on the 22m line.

Clydebank take the ball to the blind side with Christopher Macfarlane securing the ruck. Some unsavory actions at the ruck by Clydebank, see them receiving a yellow card. Penalty to L&H just outside the Cldyebank 22m line. Kicked to the opposition 5m line by David Steery, lineout L&H. A strong driving maul at the line out secures the 4th try for L&H by Kyle Crossan, and with that, a try bonus point, with eight minutes to go. Score 29-20 L&H.

With only minutes to go until the end of the match, L&H need to keep Clydebank at least 8 points away so they don’t receive a losing bonus point and not let them score 2 more tries to receive a try bonus, to further the distance if L&H win, in the league table.

Clydebank restart well turning over the ball and beginning their attack into the L&H 22m. L&H keeping their defence strong, Clydebank cycle through the attacking phases to try and gain ground. L&H defense remaining strong pushing the visitors back, with Clydebank trying to gain ground a kick over the top goes in to touch, giving possession back to L&H in their half. Clearing from the linout in to the hands of Clydebank, who make another strong run along the left wing, playing the advantage for L&H knocking on in a ruck, the visitors begin to gain ground, but not enough with the referee coming back for the penalty outside the L&H 22m line. Clydebank drive strongly in the scrum, and pass the ball out to the Cydebank line, penalty Clydebank for L&H offside, right in front of the posts. Clydebank opt to kick at goal, reducing the score difference to 29-23 L&H with minutes to go, if the scoreline remains the same at fulltime, Clydebank would get a bonus point loss.

L&H restart trying to increase the points difference, taking out by Clydebank, lineout to L&H outside the opposition 22m line. A fierce driving maul from the lineout moves the ball right to the try line for a try to Blair Crossan, score 34-23 L&H. Clydebank to restart with a few minutes to go, but not enough time left on the clock for another score sees the final score 34-23. Moving L&H 4 points clear of Clydebank in the league standings.

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

1XV Team: Andrew Ripo (C)(Sponsor Townhead Farm), Scott Smith (Linda MacDonald Jewellery), Craig Norrie (Paul Houghton), Lewis Clark, Jack Chapman, Michael Kinsman, Christopher MacFarlane (Tom Carruthers & Lois Houghton), Kyle Crossan (Mary Kingshott), Tom Gray, Craig Bowman (Chrystals Shorbread), Jordan Ward (Patron Morag Fraser), Kiniviliame Dakuliga, Craig Newport (Mentor Scotland), Reece Court (Superbia Performance), David Sterry (Argyll Aesthetics), Peter McCready (Patron Ian MacQuire), Ross Duff, Charlie MacKenzie (Patron Nick Parry), Blair Crossan, Dougie King (Bounce, Play & Party), Joe Bull & Ben Jones.

Lomond-Helensburgh 2XV Vs East Kilbride 2XV

Lomond-Helensburgh 2XV now 4 wins from 4.

East Kilbride start the match strong, with the home team uncharacteristically missing crucial tackles in the early stages, allowing the away side to put L&H under pressure. After 10 minutes Cammy King was injured and an ambulance called, thankfully he will be fine after a few weeks recuperation. Thank you to Susan Court for her medical expertise and to the referee who provided valued support.

As the first half drew on L&H started to get more confident with ball in hand on a regular basis, and it was from the forwards winning the ball at a breakdown the ball was shipped to Tony Shonk who ran from his own half to score on his debut under the posts, Charles Takel converted, half time score 7-0 L&H.

The second half started much better for L&H, L&H started to pressurise the visitors defence, a great kick ahead from George Grigg led to another debutant Lawrence Hodgkinson collecting the ball to score, with Ben Wain converting. Score L&H 14-0.

L&H scored soon after with great backs interplay leading to George Grigg scoring in the corner, the difficult conversion was missed. Score L&H 19-0.

Unfortunately, there was another twist to this game, ball was won by the forwards and shipped through the backs to Griggs who side stepped to East Kilbride tacklers who clashed heads with the referee blowing his whistle and ended the game before Griggs could touch down, ending the game. Thankfully both East Kilbride players were ok.

With the away team short of numbers teams split sides, 13 aside was played in the spirit of rugby, to let the game go ahead. Injuries during play shortened the game but secured L&H 2XV their 4th victory of the season out of 4 games.

2XV Team: Cameron King, Andy Mackay (C), Stuart Carruthers, Craig Wight, Anthony Burnside-Shonk, George Grigg, Charles Takel (Sponsor Allied Surveyors), Mark Birney, Ben Wain, Stuart King, Josh Foster, Mickael Paris, Lawrence Hodgkinson, Ruaridh Caldow, Harry Wallis, Ewan Hamlett.

Next week sees the 1XV against Cumbernauld who lie one place ahead of them in the league table, at home, whilst the 2XV travel away to Greenock 3XV, both games 2pm KO.

1XV Photos credited to Guy Phillips & Paisley Colour Photographic Club