Lochaber – 5
Bishopton – 14
Tries; Richardson (2)
Conversions; Duncan (2)
Penalties;
Yellow Cards; Doak, Robertson
Bishopton made the journey to Fort William on the same points as their hosts, with Lochaber only below them by virtue of points scored in matches. This meant it was all to play for, with the winner going top of the table, with the teams around them having played more games
The long bus journey up North was made and spirits were high pre-game with laughter coming from the Bish changing room and optimism high amongst a depleted squad. With a surprise inclusion on the bench in the shape of head coach, Franklin Clark, (providing front row cover as and if required) – would Bishopton see a new record holder in the oldest first team debutante department on the day?
The game started off on equal footing with both teams knowing that they couldn’t afford to give their opponents the ascendancy. This showed, as for the first fifteen minutes both teams traded the ball in a series of knock ons, penalties and loose kicking. The first drama of the day came when prop, Alistair Doak, received his second yellow card of the season. The yellow card was received for persistent back talking and complaining to the referee as he protested that he had been the recipient of foul play at the breakdown. With the referee not being in a position to see anything and working off Doak’s reaction he took the chance to send the prop to the Bin.
Lochaber instantly went to work, putting Bish on the back foot, but Bish held fast with 14 men on the field with a series of penalties being given to Lochaber. However, the hosts were not able to take advantage of any of these. With Doak returning to the game and Bish still working off the back foot, it was against the flow of play that Bishopton recorded the games first points.
A further knock on from Bish gave the home side the advantage and the chance to work back into the Bish half. Another came as Bish knocked on in the tackle, and this time Lochaber were able to work the ball out through the midfield until winger, Cameron Richardson was up quickly in the defensive line and as the ball crossed back into the hosts half he pulled out an interception that the Artful Dodger would have been proud of, Sprinting the length of the half to score under the posts. Duncan converted the easy kick and Bish found themselves 0-7 to the good, against the run of play.
The first half came to a close with several close calls from Lochaber and several players coming to the rescue, most importantly, fullback Craig Gervais as he made several last ditch saves, with tackles on the tryline. This helped see Bish safely to half-time with a clean sheet.
The second half was as tight as the first, with both teams starting to play more expansive rugby and both sets of defence being equally up to the challenge. The second half stalemate seemed like it might be unlocked just after the hour mark. As Bish gained a penalty on the 10m line and Scrum Half Peter Leslie decided to take a chance and go for goal from long(ish)-range. The ball dropped short and Lochaber kicked clear, only for it to find the safe hands of Sandy Glassford, who took the ball into contact and let Bish reset on the 22. Leslie recycled the ball to Duncan who had spotted the space in the corner and lofted the ball, the Lochaber winger was turned around by the bounce and Richardson was able to gather and bash his way through the last man to get under the posts. Duncan again converted and Bish were 0-14 ahead.
Action for the remainder of the game was confined to the last 5 minutes, as Bish picked up a second yellow card. Centre, Kyle Robertson, received his marching orders for the remainder of the game after a series of talking toos from the referee for a variety of contentious penalty calls. This led to Bish having to see out the final five minutes in their own 5m channel with Lochaber receiving several penalties and scrums. The second of two scrums awarded right at the death proved important. From the 1st scrum, Duncan passed the ball forwards to Douglass on the wing in an attempt to try and run the ball out from deep, bringing another scrum, from which the hosts were able to take full advantage. The Number 8 carried off the back and blowing through the Bish defence to score, the conversion was wide and brought the final score to 5-14 as the referee blew for full time.
A tough day at the office for Bishopton, but one that saw them come away with the result nonetheless. This was an outing that showed the current squad have grit and determination in a game that in the past, would have seen Bishopton sides fall away on such a trip. For the travelling support on the day there were no records to cheer about as Franklin did not make his long awaited Bishopton debut, there is a lot of rugby to go between now and the end of the season however.
The Ingliston Country Club & Hotel Player of the Match was Cameron Richardson who scored both Bish tries today.
And the Hampton & McMurray Glue Player was Ryan Devine for an outstanding display at the breakdown and getting his first full 80 mins under his belt for the Bish!
A further notable mention should go out to Paul Connelly who was the latest Graduate Player to make his first full debut for the 1XV, having made several impressive appearances off the bench already this season, meriting him the start in such an important game.
Heading into the international break, this victory leaves Bishopton top of the league on points difference yet again as Helensburgh/Loch Lomond and Hyndland sit on 18 points alongside them at the top. Bishopton however, have the virtue of having played less games.
