Bishopton 2XV
Glasgow Raptors
With the weather holding out towards the end of last week and the rain drying up it was the perfect conditions for rugby. However the amount of rugby set to be on display was cut in half as the 1XV game was called off due to the Isle of Mull being unable to travel due to COVID. This left the 2XV game against Glasgow Raptors as the only game set to be played on crisp September afternoon.
The Raptors an up and coming team having only been around a few years, and looking for game time to bring their club along. The match against the Bishopton 2XV would be just the thing to have a first ever matchup between the two clubs.
Bishopton had an experienced team on the pitch with some old faces and that graced many a first team photo, some younger players that are fighting for a place in the 1XV and those returning to fitness.
The day got off to a quick start as Bishopton got off to a flying start through vetran Lock Phillips, who was able to bruise his way through the Raptors defence and score the opening try of the day. Phillips took some huge confidence from this opening score and ended up completing his hattrick by the time 30 minutes had come round on the clock. All three tries came from close range and some damaging forwards work.
In the midst of Phillips Hattrick two other tries were run in the first coming from Wing Hunter who was able to tear down the wing avoiding the Raptors defence and dotting down. The Second was from Prop MacIntosh getting his maiden try for the Bish scoring from the back of a ruck 5m out with a powerful drive to get himself over. Bishopton’s scoring for the half was finished out by Scrum Half Carey, who was able to nip round the Raptors defence at the posts and touch down.
The First half came to an end with the Raptors getting themselves on the score sheet with a close range effort brought on by multiple penalties going against the Bish allowing the Raptors to build up several phases of slow forwards ball crashing up to the Bish line and finding that all important gap to gain the score.
The Second half followed suit on the first, with Hunter opening the scoring as he received the ball out wide and was able to get over. This was followed when Robertson and Davies were able to run the ball in from deep until the scoring was rounded out with Hunter Grabbing his third of the day and the second Hattrick of the day.
With the Full Time whistle ringing out around the pitch, bring an end of an enjoyable match to watch and a win for rugby development on the day with several Bishopton Players also lining up with the Raptors to even out the sides.
The Lorimers Man of the Match was Rhys Wilson, for some strong scrummaging and carrying in the loose.
The Barnhill Farm Glue Player was Alex Neil, who played with the Raptors and showed the true spirit of rugby by pitching in wherever needed.
The 2XV will return to action on the 2nd of October (K.O 11:00) where they will play GHA Gazelles where the 1XV (K.O 15:00) will take on Birkmyre and a lunch will be held at the club on the day between matches. The next 1XV game is on 25th September away at Cumbernauld and promisses to be a great match.
