Lomond sting the Police

0 - 0 • Published 3 Feb 2009 09:00

Loch Lomond RFC 27 Strathclyde Police RFC 5

LOMOND arrested any chance of a slide with an emphatic home win in a powerful bout at the Dilly.

The Police - decked out in black - were gunning to add to Lomond"s disappointing loss lass week against Strathendrick, and with the result still in his mind, coach Ross rang the changes.

Fairman was moved into the crucial number 10 role and the absence of Nicholson through illness allowed Ferrier and Mathieson to pair up in midfield.

There were also changes in the pack, with McDermott getting the nod at second row and McGinty moving to Number 8.

The first 10 minutes were a scrappy affair, but gradually a pattern of play emerged as the Police looked to kick into the corners while Lomond sought to play a running game.

After a frustratingly nervy opening spell, the home jumpers found themselves comfortably winning their own ball and frequently plundering their opponents.

The line out was working like a dream and the Lomond pack also bossed the scrum and dominated in the loose. Gaps were soon appearing all over the park and unable to contain the home side, the Police conceded a penalty on 15 minutes which McAdam converted.

Sensing they had the advantage, Lomond pressed their attack from the restart and after a series of forward drives, Fairman collected the ball and darted up the blind side.

His strength and a couple of outrageous dummies completely flummoxed his markers and he literally waltzed home from about 40 yards to complete an amazing try which had the crowd buzzing.

McAdam nailed the conversion to give Lomond a 10-0 lead.

Lomond were starting to dream of a cricket score, but they were served a timely reminder not to get cocky when the Police"s outside centre took advantage of the narrowest gaps to gallop through the Lomond defence.

A combination of McAdam, Cowie and Fairman spared the home side"s blushes, but it was a narrow escape, compounded by a heavy knock to Ferrier, who wobbled back to his feet.

The home support didn"t have long to wait before Lomond scored again as Fairman again exposed the blindside with his pace and played in Ferrier, who scored under the posts.

Another unerring kick by McAdam left Lomond leading 17-0 at half-time.

But the Police are a decent rugby team and inevitably they came out fired up in the second half and Lomond"s chances of an easy afternoon were scuppered when Ferrier was sinbinned for a reckless high tackle.

And it was soon game on as the Police surged over the line from the resultant penalty.

For the next 10 minutes, Lomond were under heavy pressure, but stout defending coupled with the relieving boots of McAdam and Mathieson preserved their lead until they were restored to full strength.

Corrigan, returning to the side after a spell out, replaced Ferrier, who was unable to shake off his earlier knock.

Lomond were soon back on the attack and man of the match Fairman sealed the win with a slashing run right through the Police defence which finally broke their spirit.

McAdam, made no mistake with the extras and the home side then went in search of a fourth try which would mean a bonus point.

Sub Corrigan"s pass to an unmarked Lockhart was harshly judged to be forward then Craig Norrie spurned a clear overlap.

Another McAdam penalty provided the final points of the day for Lomond, who stayed strong to the end with a groan-enducing tackle from Sikersky denying the Police any final sting.

Loch Lomond: A McAdam, S Cowie, G Mathieson, S Ferrier, D Lockhart, A Fairman, C Lewsley, D McGinty, B Malone, E Todd, G McDermott, J Sturgeon, S Dennison, C Norrie, I Norrie. Subs: S Corrigan, J Law, P Sikersky.

 On Saturday, Loch Lomond travel to face a struggling Cumnock side as they look to improve on some patchy away form.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 03 Feb 09

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