Bishopton – 19
Waysiders/Drumpellier – 14
Tries; Robertson (2), Hunter
Conversions; Hogan (2)
Penalties;
Yellow Cards; Doak
Rugby took its time to return to Holmpark for Bishoptons Gents 1XV as the original opening game of the season was called off by Shawlands and this was followed with all rugby being cancelled following the sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
So it was the turn of Waysiders/ Drumpellier that were the guests at Holmpark to help raise the curtain on Bishopton’s season, But it was Waysiders that started on the front foot keeping Bish pushed back. But penalties gave bishopton the ball back and allowed Hogan to clear their lines, through Hogan’s kicks and finding touch bishopton were able to start putting pressure on the Waysiders defence. One such kick put deep into Waysiders half, was knocked on by the fullback as he tried to collect it. This gave Bish a scrum to build off of close to the try line. Having suffered on the first few scrums Bish were able to secure the ball and get it wide and through the hands reaching Robertson who punched through the defensive line to dot down for the try. Hogan put the conversion wide giving Bish a 5 – 0 lead after 15 minutes.
From here Bishopton started to put the pressure on Waysiders and started to look the stronger of the two teams. Gervais came into his own here upon settling in the Fullback position the veteran showed that age is but a number when he broke away on a cything run. Beating four players before getting the ball off to Hunter who was able to make it close to the try line before being brought down. Bish soon recovered the ball and Gervais was off again, cutting through the Waysiders defence like a hot knife in butter. But was finally brought down, allowing Robertson to collect and break away under the posts for the score. This left Hogan with an easy conversion and he took Bish to a 12 – 0 lead.
Waysiders came out in the second half strong and got off to a good start scoring a try out the gates as they capitalised on several penalties, the first of these they opted to go for the posts but it was cut wide and gave Bish the ball back. Though another soon came and much closer to the try line. They opted to go for the tap and were able to crash over, the score in front of the posts was easy to convert and cut Bishopton’s lead in half 12 – 7.
Bishopton were quick to strike back as Hogan managed to pick up a loose ball it was quickly shipped wide to Hunter on the wing who was able to break away and outpace 3 players on a 60m run in to score the try under the posts. Hogan converted to push Bish 19 – 7 ahead.
The game then descended into a series of penalties and both teams saw men take yellow cards, as Doak was first sent to the bin for Bish as a further penalty against Bish for not rolling away was given. Waysiders received one as Hunter again looked to be on his way up the wing but was brought down illegally.
It was Waysiders that saw the day out as they continued to gain close range penalties and Bish were keeping them away from the try line, but one last ditch penalty saw Waysiders crash over the try line from 5 metres out. The conversion was good and the final whistle was blown. Bishopton 19 Waysiders Drumpellier 14.
The Ingliston Player of the Match was Stephen Hogan, who returned to league action after a year away from the game and slotting in at Fly Half outside his normal role, putting in a commanding presence to run the game and keep Waysiders on the back foot with his long kicks in behind the back line.
The Hampton and McMurry Glue Player was Stephen Phillips, another returning player this time from a slightly longer absence from the team. Stephen stepped up on thursday last week to help out due to injuries in the forwards and lend some experience to the next generation coming though, though you would not expect that he had been away from the game for several years with a bouncing pick up he took with ease in the second half.
Next week sees the team hit the road as they travel to Helensburgh to take on the newly formed Helensburgh/Loch Lomond team that have come together this season. A huge test of character will be on the table for the team as they look to make a mark in the early stages of the league.
