Surf"s up for Lomond at the Dilly

0 - 0 • Published 15 Jan 2009 16:00

Loch Lomond 2nd XV 17 Allan Glens 2nd XV 0

Lomond welcomed Alan Glens on Saturday on the kind of day that before kick off had probably left both sets of players wondering why they had chosen to play a sport that considers monsoon weather and a swamp of a park to be legitimate playing conditions.

The game kicked with the rain so heavy and the wind so strong it reduced any attempt at a pass or a kick to a soggy lottery.

Despite the crazy conditions, both teams did their best to at least attempt to play some running rugby - although it"s debatable as to whether this was down to any natural enterprising instincts or merely to stave off hypothermia!

As the first half wore on, it was the home side who showed greater composure and began to use their superior size and speed to punch holes in the visitor"s defences.

And it was no surprise when Lomond eventually took the lead. After a series of drives from the forwards carried them deep into the Allan Glens" half, the ball was recycled quickly and spun wide allowing Murdoch to hydroplane into the corner for a fine try.

McAdam went wide with the conversion. Lomond came close to scoring again through the enterprise of their left-winger, Steven, who was unlucky not to collect his own kick ahead but at the break the score was tight - Lomond ahead by five to nil.

The second half saw Lomond go to their bench and try some new combinations. Mathieson moved into fly-half and Andrew Flynn made a welcome return from a long term injury at centre.

They were soon pressed into action as Lomond repelled an early surge from their opponents and then went looking for the scores that would kill the game. After some frustrating near misses, the backs again combined to allow Nicholson to plough over for a score that he converted himself to put Lomond firmly in the driving seat.

By this point, with the temperatures plummeting, there was only one team in it and the only question was whether Lomond would be able to add to their tally before the final whistle.

A try seemed certain when Ross was able to employ some fantastic sleight of hand to slip the ball to Lockhart, but the winger was held up millimetres short of the line and saw the ball slide agonisingly from his grasp before he could touch down.

It was Nicholson who rounded off the scoring, battering through some tired challenges to score out wide. This time the conversion was missed but it scarcely mattered, Allan Glens tried to summon a final effort for the try that their efforts probably deserved but a stingy Lomond defence was in no mood to be charitable.

The weather was certainly lousy, but both teams deserve credit for rolling up their sleeves and doing their best to entertain those hardy spectators who were brave enough to come along.

Next up for Lomond is a home fixture for their first team against Uddingston, a team who are far better than their lowly league position suggests. Lomond will need to be at their best to overcome them.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 15 Jan 09

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