Lomond just can't cope with Carrick

Published 8 Dec 2009 09:00

Carrick RFC 17 Loch Lomond 10

AFTER a November wash-out, Lomond returned to action this week with a tricky away fixture against an up- and-coming Carrick side eager to avenge the loss they suffered to the men in maroon and gold at the start of the season.

Lomond needed to be focused and ruthless from the first minute to win, but they have suffered greatly this season from being slow starters and, true to form, within minutes of the kick-off had made a rod for their own backs by giving up two kickable penalty chances that Carrick were only too grateful to accept.

Lomond huffed and puffed, but couldn't force their way back into the match and in truth looked rusty as the match descended into a game of aerial ping-pong, with both sides seemingly unwilling to risk keeping the ball in hand.

With no clear pattern to the game, it was difficult to sense which side held an advantage until Carrick seized control with a try from virtually nothing.

A scrum, followed by a series of quick drives, dragged them to within 20 metres of the line.

The visitors' defence then struggled to track runners left and right and they moved the ball wide to score a good try that they just about deserved.

Again Lomond fought to find a foothold in the match, but despite some good possession and occasional flashes of good play they were unable to get on the scoreboard by half-time.

The closest they came was a tricky penalty shot that the normally reliable Nicholson drifted wide of the uprights.

As the second half got underway, Lomond seemed to have finally woken up and they bossed the early stages.

The pack took the game to their opponents in muscular fashion and making inroads with some great drives, a slick move sparked by Mathieson led to Lewsley scoring a fine try in the left corner.

The centres, Nicholson and Ferrier, stood their men up beautifully before feeding the elusive winger, who skipped around his markers to touch down.

Nicholson's kick from the touchline was missed - but Lomond were definitely back in the game.

Carrick replied with a well-struck penalty, but Lomond were soon on the attack again.

After earning and spurning two kickable penalty chances frustration was creeping into their play until Malia gave them a real chance of a comeback with a sparkling solo try.

After gathering a loose ball on the opposition 22, the young flanker was surrounded by defenders and seemed to be out of options, but he swirled and danced his way around four tacklers to score in breathtaking fashion.

The conversion, again, drifted agonisingly wide, but Lomond were in the ascendancy and Carrick were definitely feeling the pressure.

However, try as they might,

Lomond couldn't carve out another chance and when the home side banged over another three-point chance it was all over.

Carrick deserved their win for their dogged defence and refusal to buckle under Lomond's second-half pressure, but the fact remains that this was a game that Lomond could and possibly should have won.

They will need to be much sharper in their next fixture against Wigtownshire at the Dilly.

As always the club would like to extend their thanks to their supporters and sponsors Sakerski Bodyshop and The Village Rest.

LOCH LOMOND: A Flynn (c), D Lockhart, S Ferrier, D Nicholson, S Cowie, G Mathieson, C Lewsley, M Flynn, A Mackay, A Malia, J Sturgeon, E Todd, I Norrie, S Dennison, S McGinty. SUBS: A McAdam, R Paton, P Sakerski.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 08 Dec 09

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