Having lost twice to Garnock last season the Grizzlies were keen to show that they are a different team now and had a point to prove.
Burgh kicked off the game in perfect conditions to start a half where both teams would battle for possession with few points scored.
Stand off Callum Harris was using the chip and chase effectively to push up towards the Garnock line but any attacks were being thwarted by a solid Garnock defence.
On 9 minutes – scrum half David Sterry hit the posts with an attempted penalty and with a lucky bounce of the ball, Garnock managed to clear their lines.
On 18 minutes Flanker Phil Rogers was yellow carded for repeated infringement but Helensburgh managed to stem the Garnock attack for the 10 minutes without him, frustrating the home team and crowd.
It took until 35 minutes for Burgh to get on the scoreboard, this time with a successful conversion by Sterry to take the score to 0 – 3.
Again Burgh lost concentration just before half time, when from a Garnock lineout on the 10m line, the home team managed a well worked passage of play to see them go over in the corner for the first try of the game. Unconverted the first half finished 5 – 3.
It was Garnock this time that kicked off the second half and although battling hard, both teams could not break each other’s defences.
It was again the Grizzlies that broke the cycle when from a line out on Garnock’s 5 m line, the burgh forwards surged through and drove the ball over the line for prop Liam Flannagan to score the try. With Sterry’s successful conversion it was 5 – 10 to Helensburgh.
This lead did not last long as when Garnock stole the ball from the kick off, they managed to drive the ball from Burgh’s 22 and score in front of the posts with an impressive try. Converted, it was 12 – 10 with 60 minutes played.
This time it was Helensburgh who were quick to reply and 3 minutes later, another difficult kick by Sterry was slotted over, taking it to 12 – 13 and fifteen minutes to play.
Burgh battled out the rest of the game and with 5 minutes to go, second row Mikey Kinsman managed to score after a superb passage of play lead by Captain Ally Rogers.
With the score 12 – 20 the final whistle blew leaving the Grizzlies and their travelling support delighted.
Silvers Man of the Match went to prop Simon Raeside (sponsored by Shop Smart) who took a lot of tough hits on the day and who’s hard work lead to the last try being scored.
This Saturday sees Helensburgh’s first Home game of the season against Cambuslang. Kick off is at 3pm and the Grizzlies would love to see a huge home support this game. A BBQ will be provided and a Bouncy Castle for the younger kids will be available on the day.
Team: Flannagan, Lamb, Raeside, Kinsman, Greggain, Rogers, Gibson, Millar,D Sterry, Harris, Simmons, Rogers(c) Clipston, A Sterry, Bowman Subs: King, Malia, Inglis.