Bishopton – 13
Birkmyre – 10
Tries; Catto
Conversions; Catto
Penalties; Bates
With the weather starting to calm and the sun starting to break the clouds, the weather was starting to smile on yet another Renfrewshire Derby this season as Birkmyre made another visit to Holmpark this season. With the Old Boys – now christened The Bish Bears team having had a match in the morning swiftly followed by lunch the touchline was packed with former players and friends of the Bish making much needed noise to get the team back into winning ways.
Birkmyre got the game underway and looked like they had started the match the sharper of the two teams as they gained a couple of early penalties from simple Bishopton mistakes, but they soon took advantage as they marched their way to the Bish try line but were held up short as they looked to cross the white wash.
Bish soon stole the march with Bates sending the ball into the Myre 22 from just inside the half, the Birkmyre throw was not straight and Bish were awarded the scrum from it. A strong Bish scrum saw them secure the ball and it was worked to Bates who worked the dummy runner to perfection and drew the defence in to allow Catto a clean run in when popped the ball. With a rush line all going after Bates, Catto was able to sprint in for the try. He converted his own Try and put the Bish 7 – 0 to the good.
The remainder of the half was overridden with penalties from both sides with neither side being able to take much in the way of advantage. This took a change towards the end of the half when Bates was taken across the horizontal in a tackle with the Myre player seeing yellow, Bates was able to get back up and line the kick at goal up which he slotted with ease. Pushing the home team ahead 10 – 0. Halftime soon followed with a flurry of kicks as Glassford was charged down in what was otherwise a stellar half from the Scrum Half who again had put in several try saving tackles to keep Bishoptons clean sheet.
The second half brought on a change in the game as the skies opened up and the penalty count began to rise for both teams, as Bishopton got the early penalty that was pushed wide, but was soon followed by another that Bates was able to send over extending the lead for The Bish to 13-0.
Things took a turn in Birkmyre’s favour as Neil, who had been dominant in the line out all day, stole his fourth of the day. But it was in vain as the ball was quickly kicked to touch and brought back for a Myre scrum, which they were able to hold steady and recover the ball. They then pushed the ball wide quickly taking advantage of a disorganised defence and were able to work a three man overlap before running the score into the corner. The conversion was put wide, giving some relief to Bishopton. 13 – 5. Bishopton were given a chance to pull ahead slightly more as they won another penalty, but the kick from Bates dropped short.
The final score of the day from Myre as they sent the ball long, Burns who was not long on secured the high ball and carried into contact. Within a few phases the ball was lost to Birkmyre, they again looked to be in down the wing. But a sisnelating tackle from Catto saw that it wasn’t to be. A penalty however was soon to come and Myre gave the ball to the forwards who kept it close from 5 meters and played route one rugby to the line. This soon got them over the line and gave them the score. The conversion came off the post and kept the game at a 3 point gap with Bish in the lead at 13-10.
The game came to a close with the ball being put out of play after Bish had a strong phase of play but with several more penalties being given to each team, it is something that the Bish will have to work on in the long term to keep games moving along.
The Lorimers Man of the Match was Sandy Glassford, who again put in a strong performance with several key passes and again turning on a strong defensive display and making several try saving tackles.
The Barnhill Farm Glue Player was Ross McGowan, who came off the bench out of position at Flanker, rather than his usual Centre position. As he came on he helped to shore up the defensive line and put in several strong tackles to keep Birkmyre at bay.
This Saturday sees the Bish on the road again, this time it is a short trip across the Clyde and up to Loch Lomond as we take on the Loch side team in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter. And with Bishopton’s support, an ever growing presence this season both at home and away we hope to see many familiar faces on the touch line this week to cheer the team on!
