Writing about the fortunes of Helensburgh Rugby Club is a bit like training a puppy… you love the wee rascal dearly but there’s times you could see it far enough.
For every ‘Good Boy!’ days when the pup listens and works hard at improving, like in the wins against Oban and Clydebank, there are the ‘BAD DOG!!’ days, too. The days when you wonder if this powerful, muscular, obedient animal you’re trying to build isn’t always just going to be a cute little ball of fur, prone to rolling over to have its tummy tickled.
Because against Uddingston, there was very little ‘dog’ on show at all, especially without the terrier-like Craig Calderwood snapping at the heels of opposition players. When it clicks, Burgh can show remarkable craft… last Saturday it was pretty much all Crufts!
Uddingston forced the issue from the off, pressing Burgh’s exit from their own 22 and eventually turning the hosts over. Despite suspicions of a knock-on in the prelude, the Lanarkshire side strolled over for a converted try after just four minutes.
Burgh responded well, Alex McAuley launching a Garry-owen into the murk and chasing his kick well to pin the visiting full-back on his 22 and forcing a penalty. Chris Clements tapped and drove and a series of rucks ended with Paul Howell held up on the try-line. Soon after, a further penalty for Burgh was goaled by Howell for 3-7.
A long-range penalty from Uddingston fell short soon after and it took until 33 minutes for their kicker to make amends, slotting calmly over from the 22 to build his side a seven-point lead.
Cammy Kerr and Howell were doing well at the back of a reversing scrum and one such pick and go might have been better rewarded but the No.8 delayed his pass too long and Howell was scragged. Back came the Villagers only to butcher a try-scoring opportunity after their hooker had burst through to within yards of Burgh’s line, but then failed to find support and a knock-on ended the first half with Burgh trailing 3-10.
Still the rain cascaded down, still the conditions made running rugby a lottery, but it was Uddingston who took the game by the scruff of the neck, some strong runners cutting swathes through some weak Burgh tackling. Three tries were their reward for merely showing more aggression, more will-to-win as Burgh heads went down deeper than the mud that clung in places the sun don’t shine.
The litany of appeals from the faithful – and drookit – home supporters were finally rewarded when, at the death, flanker Eoin MacDonald plunged over for a try, converted by Howell for 10-27. It was scant reward in what was a pretty abject display by the home side, the result of which brings Uddingston that bit closer to the Greens in the basement.
Riva man-of-the-match was Sam King with mentions in dispatches for Brian Jamieson, Jack Dunn and Adam Hepworth up front, while Howell and McAuley tried in vain among the backs.
Burgh: Burgess, McAuley, Robertson, Fletcher, Kenny, Pugsley, Howell, Ard, Jamieson, Clements, Hepworth, Dunn, MacDonald, Kerr, King. Subs: Court.