Match report: Uddingston 29 – 40 Birkmyre
Uddingston 29 – 40 Birkmyre
Arnold Clark West Division 2
Saturday, 19th September 2024
Birkmyre made it back-to-back away wins on Saturday with a victory against Uddingston by 40 points to 29. The result saw them jump up to 5th in the league, ahead of their opponents on points difference.
Birkmyre took an early lead in only the 6th minute. Winger, Ross McDonnell, received the ball on the touchline 40m out and danced his way past defenders to score in the corner, David Cruickshank narrowly missed the conversion. They held the lead for about 12 minutes before Uddingston equalised in controversial circumstances.
The referee failed to penalise the home side for a tackle round the neck on winger Archie Hopley and somehow awarded the penalty to Uddingston. From the “tap & go”, they drove over to score.
The visitors rallied quickly when Ross Adam powered over from close distance. From a line out on the left, the ball was worked across the pitch before the forwards took charge and set up the score just right of the posts. Cruickshank converted. The lead was then extended to 14 points when skipper, Ross Moglia, intercepted a pass on the opposition 22 and ran in unopposed for a converted score. Uddingston then got their second try of the match just before half time to make it 10-19.
Uddingston started the brighter of the two sides in the second period, working the ball wide on the 44th minute to score at the corner flag. Birkmyre replied 10 minutes later. From a line out in close range, the forward pack rumbled towards the try line before veteran, Martyn Whyte, dived over from a couple of feet out.
Uddingston then scored again in the 62nd minute however, not before Birkmyre had one chopped off for a forward pass which video review later showed was legal.
From the resultant kick off, Moglia scored his second of the day. He collected a pop pass 25m out and weaved his way past two defenders for the score. With 9 minutes left on the clock, Uddingston scored again to take the score to 29-33 and make it a nail-biting finish.
Birkmyre found themselves under a great deal of pressure for the next 5 minute however broke down the pitch and won a penalty 40m out. They opted to kick at goal to extend the lead however Cruickshank’s kick, although accurate, fell 3m short. Uddingston ran the ball out but dropped it on their own 22. Birkmyre collected and charged towards the try line. Eventually, after sustained pressure, Robbie Espie smashed through from 3m out to seal the victory.
The win sets up a home match against Waysiders Drumpellier on Saturday who sit one spot above Birkmyre in the league table.
Scorers:- Tries: R Moglia (2), R Espie, R Adam, R McDonnell, M Whyte; Conversions: D Cruickshank (5)
Photo Credit: With thanks to Fiona Wallace