Match Report: Shawlands 7 v 31 Birkmyre
Shawlands 7 v 31 Birkmyre RFC
Saturday 13th January 2024 KO 2.00pm
West Region League Division 3
Birkmyre secured their first victory of 2024 with a 31-7 victory away to Shawlands at the weekend. The match survived an early morning pitch inspection due the frost earlier in the week.
The match started very competitively with both teams evenly balanced. However, Shawlands had a slight wind advantage and used that to control field position. This paid off when they won a penalty after 5 mins however the kick went wide. Shawlands continued press and were eventually rewarded 16 minutes in with a converted try.
This was the wake-up call Birkmyre needed as with in 3 minutes, the scores were tied. Birkmyre won a penalty from the kick off and took a quick tap and go. The forwards recycled the ball a few times before scrum half, Jamie Haran, faked a pass from the base of the ruck and forced his way over the line from short distance. David Cruickshank converted.
The visitors increased their lead on 30 minutes from a line out 5m from the opposition try line. Hooker, and Player of the Match, Ross Adam, recovered a loose ball. He then took on the opposition defenders single handed to score an impressive individual try. The conversion was narrowly missed.
In the second half, Birkmyre pressed their advantage. Less than 5 minutes after the interval, Cammy Marr recovered a clearance kick in his own half and powered across the half way line. A few phases of play followed before the ball made it into the hands of skipper, Ross Moglia. He broke a couple of tackles to run in under the posts for a converted try from 30m out.
The next score fell to Ross McDonnell. Cruickshank gathered a loose pass on the opposition 22. He spotted a gap out wide and placed a perfect cross field kick towards the try line. McDonnell sprinted forward and caught the ball on the bounce to score in the corner.
The final score fell to Centre, James Toal. From a scrum 5m out, Moglia drew in the defenders and popped a simple pass to Toal who ran a great line to power his way over. Cruickshank added the conversion.
Birkmyre successfully shut out Shawlands in the second half, even when they were down to 14 men with McDonnell seeing yellow for a deliberate knock on with 8 minutes left.
The win keeps Birkmyre in 2nd spot in the league but with two games in hand over Irvine. Victories in both would see them swap places.
Standings West Region League Division 3 as at 16/01/24:
Match Results West Region League Division 3:
SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 2024
Fixture West Region League Division 3s:
SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2024 (All KO 2pm)
Photos by Stuart Cruickshank