LOCH Lomond Rugby Club started the new season where they left off last year with getting a 26-17 bonus point win over Birkmyre on Saturday.

The Bonhill side’s resources were stretched to breaking point so coach Dennison called up the old guard.

Some of the players first saw action in the late 1990s and on this evidence what they’ve lost in speed is more than compensated in experience.

Straight from kick off Lomond put the pressure on Birkmyre and saw them camped in the opposition 22. No score came from this 10-minute period and they were made to pay shortly after.

The visitors got ball from a Lomond error and recycled well, giving quick ball for a try down the blind side.

This spurred the home side on, with captain Todd coordinating things. Several forced errors resulted in a penalty 10 metres out and the forwards drove the scrum over, for the first of four tries.

This score was replicated another two times during the game, with Flynn getting a hat trick, showing the dominance of the Lomond pack.

Not to be outdone the returning McInness unleashed Gilmour and MacFarlane in attack, with the former putting in a man of the match display.

The back row of Nicholson, Flynn and McLaren covered every inch of the park in defence and attack. Nicholson had a try disallowed, as the referee couldn’t see the grounding. A similar decision was to feature for Brown later in the game.

Knowing Birkmyre and their speedy back line, Lomond’s tactics to nullify this threat worked for most of the game.

Even when reduced to 14 men, after Ferriers indiscretion, Lomond didn’t look under threat.

The attacking options from Mathieson, Fullbrook, Lewsley and Wilson added another dimension to Lomond’s game and the creation of chances.

From a team play another score came from Norrie, using his strength and guile to cross the line.

The front five of McGinty, Ferrier, Norrie, Donowski and Dennison were solid throughout and especially so at each scrum.

It was evident though the old legs were tiring and Birkmyre looked to use this to their advantage.

And indeed they did so with a breakaway score in the dying minutes of the game. It was too little too late and Lomond left the field with five points.

Loch Lomond: Donowski, Norrie, Dennison, McGinty, Ferrier, Nicholson, McLaren, Flynn, Todd, McInnes, Wilson, Gilmour, MacFarlane, Mathieson, Lewsley, Fullbrook, Brown.