After the disappointments of the previous week in Dundee, this became a must win game for Strathclyde. Add that to the fact that we hadn’t beaten the West End Yahs at Stepps for 10 years, or anywhere since March 2004, and there was a huge amount of pressure on the boys from Strathclyde.
Great work in the lineout, and some fantastic driving mauls from the forwards earned us a penalty 20 metres out after around ten minutes, but captain Simon Clarke declined the opportunity to kick for goal, instead opting for touch and a lineout ten metres from the Glasgow line. The gamble paid off, as a clean catch from Rory Chalmers, and another great drive saw hooker Richard Fiskin cross for the opening try. Unfortunately Paul Shanta missed the conversion.
Strathclyde then switched off for a while, allowing Glasgow back into the game, but despite concerted pressure, Glasgow were unable to break down the strong ‘Clyde defence before half time.
Half time Score: Strathclyde 5 – 0 Glasgow
The second half started with continued Glasgow pressure, and they eventually kicked a penalty to make the score 5-3. Strathclyde hit back immediately by earning a penalty 5 metres from the Glasgow line. Simon Mackay charged from the tap to cross for another ‘Clyde try to make the score 10-3 as Shanta again missed the kick.
‘Clyde were reduced to fourteen men as John Kennedy was sinbinned for handling in a ruck a mere 30 seconds after he had replaced the injured Fiskin. Kennedy had still been on the sidelines when the referee had issued a general warning to the team for slowing the ball down
Continued strong defence from Strathclyde meant that Glasgow never looked like creating a scoring chance, and a big hit in midfield forced a turnover which was latched onto by Simon Clarke who released Stuart Douglas into space. Douglas carried into the 22, before feeding Mackay who crossed for his second, and Strathclyde’s third, try. Shanta’s missed kick meant the score was now 15-3.
An off the ball incident 10 minutes from time saw the referee red card both Paul Shanta and the Glasgow scrum half, apparently for fighting, and Glasgow took advantage of Strathclyde missing their full back by kicking in behind for their winger to score, making the scoreline 15-8 with 2 minutes left.
Strathclyde spent the last two minutes again putting pressure on the Glasgow line, as their opponents continually tried to run out to earn a game-tying score, but it was never to come, as Strathclyde earned a deserved victory by 15-8,in a scoreline that certainly flattered Glasgow.
The teams meet again under the lights at Garscube on 16th November at 7pm,where Strathclyde will hopefully be able to build on all the great rugby they played in the game at Stepps.
Team:
Paul Shanta; Julian Good, Dave Crawford, Andy Robinson, Chris Hogg; Matt
Heaney, Scott Caithness; Steve Kerr, Richard Fiskin, Simon Mackay; Rory
Chalmers, Ross Vance; Stuart Callion, Simon Clarke (c), Stuart Douglas
Subs:
Paul Howell, John Kennedy, Ryan Ewing, Chris Crampsey, Euan Christie,
Lennox Halley
Scorers:
Richard Fiskin – 1 try
Simon Mackay – 2 tries
Man of the match – Rory Chalmers
There was disappointment for Strathclyde in the BT Cup match on Saturday 8th October, as we lost 93-0 to Preston Lodge at Stepps.
The match was closer than the scoreline may suggest, since the National
1 outfit ran in 40 points in the last 15 minutes as injuries and a lack
of conditioning took their toll on 'Clyde. The fact that PL have been
training since 5th July while we only had our first full session on Monday
night definitely showed, as the organisation, support play, and superior
fitness of the away side allowed them to run in 15 unanswered tries.
Strathclyde actually had the first chance to score, but Paul Shanta was just short with a penalty from 40 metres after 10 minutes. It took PL a further 5 to score their first try, and after half an hour, we were well in the game, but 22 points in the last 10 minutes of the first half meant that the game was quickly moving out of reach. A further 20-odd points over the first 25 minutes of the second half meant that PL passed the 50 point mark, but the greatest disappointment was the concession of the final 40, most of which were seemingly without any challenge.
Nothing should be taken away from PL however, who were very well drilled, and with some real pace and hard runners along the backline, they thoroughly deserved their win. We at Strathclyde wish them the best of luck for the remainder of the Cup competitions, and for their bid to regain promotion to Premier 3.
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