Loch Lomond – 0
Bishopton – 27
Tries; Richardson, Hunter (2), Glassford
Conversions; Catto (2)
Penalties; Catto
2022 finally got underway for the Bishopton Gents First XV after three weeks of hard and meticulous training it was finally time to put it into practice with an away trip to Loch Lomond on the cards. A much changed team was in place from the last game before the christmas break with several players unavailable and core of long term injuries returning to the setup.
With the pitch draped in an overcast drizzle of rain, the game finally got underway and 2022 was kicked off by Bishopton Captain Max Catto. It was a quick start for Bishopton as Lomond returned the ball straight off the kick off putting it straight out of play resulting in the Bish line out being just outside their own 22.
Bish got the lineout underway quickly and clinically pulling the ball down safely and delivering it to the back. The ball was efficiently passed across the back line before reaching Cameron Richardson who was able to burn up the outside to touch down for the try. Cattos conversion from out wide was short of the posts and left Bish with a narrow 0-5 lead early in the game. This was soon followed with a Bishopton penalty as Lomond were caught offside at the breakdown giving Catto a central shot at goal and he duly delivered splitting the posts. Making the Bishopton lead 0-8.
Loch Lomonds started to look like they were going to make a comeback midway through the half as they slowly but surely started to push Bish back towards their own line as their experienced and heavy hitting forwards took the game to the Bish defensive line. Their patience of slowly chipping away soon came to bare fruit as they gained a penalty inside the Bish 22. Disaster struck however as a missed kick saw the ball miss touch and sail dead through the goal area, bringing the play back to the 22 for a Bishopton scrum. Bishopton held the scrum allowing them to secure the ball and send it to the backs, the ball reached Douglass at Fullback who was able to break through the defensive line. He then broke away covering 50 meters before being forced to get the pass off to Hunter who was able to sprint under the posts unopposed for the score leaving an easy conversion for Catto to push bish to a 0 -15 halftime lead.
The second half was very much a different story as Lomond were able to put the pressure on bishopton, forcing them into multiple scrums opting for them when they gained a penalty rather than kick for the corner or posts. A change in the tide came with 10 minutes to play and a flurry of substitutions in the front row of the bishopton pack. With the scrum secured Bish were able to push back up the field, this resulted in Lomond knocking the ball loose and Abernethy being the first to pounce on it. While being able to quickly scramble back to his feet and charge forward before pitching the ball to Glassford who was able to run the ball in unopposed. Cattos conversion drifted wide of the mark keeping the score at 0-20.
The final score of the day came again from Bish securing at the ruck, and setting up on the blind side with Duncan receiving the ball from Glassford at the base and quickly moving it on to
McGowan who broke though the Lomond defense before getting it wide to Hunter who was able to run the ball in with the pace to avoid the remaining defenders. He was able to get the ball down between the posts for easy conversion for Catto. Taking the final score to 0-27 in Bishoptons favor.
The Lorimers Man of the Match was Findlay Douglass who was instrumental from fullback being involved in the build up to two tries and some key line breaks throughout the game.
The Barnhill Farm Glue Player was David Bolton who was very good in the loose on the day with several hard carries and his pin point arrows at the lineout ensuring a secure base to build the play off for the backs.
A hard fought match in earnest despite what the scoreline suggested, but a much needed win for the Bish as it kickstarted 2022 allowing the club to strenthen our position on third place. This will hope to be continued this weekend as Bishopton take on Clydesdale at Holmpark with visitors sitting third bottom of the league.
