Match report: Birkmyre 80 – 7 Lochaber
Birkmyre clinched the West Division 3 league title in emphatic style with a crushing 80-7 victory over Lochaber on Saturday. The match was set up as a title decider with the home side knowing that a bonus point victory would be enough to bring home the silver wear.
Birkmyre wasted no time in stamping their authority on the match. Lochaber fumbled the initial kick off giving away possession on the edge of their own 22m line. Following a couple of phases of play, Ali Peacock then broke 3 or 4 tackles to score under the posts before 30 seconds were even on the clock. David Cruickshank converted with his trusty right boot.
Robbie Espie extended the score line on 5 minutes with the first of his 4 tries. After sustained pressure deep in the Lochaber 22, he pounced from 5m out between the sticks. Ross McDonnell & Tom McGeoch then secured the bonus point before the 10 minute mark, with well worked scores of their own.
Lochaber then came back into the match and on 20 minutes, they scored their only try of the game having exercised sustained pressure on the Birkmyre line. The Kilmacolm side quickly replied. Cruickshank fed McDonnell out wide for his second score in the corner. Then Espie scored his 2nd with a quick “pick & go” from closer range.
Photo: Birkmyre are West Division 3 league title holders
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Just before the half, Cruickshank then scored his only try. Having temporarily swapped position with skipper Ross Moglia, the latter fed the ball to him 10m out. He side-stepped one defender then used his power to touch down on the line whist being grappled by two defenders. Converting his own score, Birkmyre went in at the half 47-7.
It was more of the same in the second half. Ross Adams scored on the 42nd minute with a drive from a 5m penalty. James Toal then scored one of the easiest he ever will cutting a great line, having received a pop pass from Cruickshank, to score untouched.
Lewis Higgins got on the board in the 60th minute and Espie completed his hat trick on 66. However, he saved the best for last with a contender for try of the season.
Birkmyre stole an opposition line out on their own 22. Scrum half, Jonny Davidson set the backs loose and Toal powered his way to the half way line. The forwards then took over with some great handling before the ball made it to winger McDonnell. He cut in field on the edge on the Lochaber 22 and as he was being tackled, he fed the ball to Espie who was running in support, for his 4th and Birkmyre’s final score. The final whistle then blew as Cruickshank slotted his 10th conversion.
Birkmyre will now play in West League 2 next season and go up along side Irvine who finished in second spot.
Scorers: Tries:- R Espie (4), L Higgins, S Cruickshank, T McGeoch, A Peacock, R McDonnell (2), J Toal, R Adam. Conversions:- S Cruickshank (10)
Highlights:
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace
You can view more photos on the club’s website, here: https://www.pitchero.com/…/match-centre/1-15014341/photos.
Latest Table (as at 16/05/24)
