Nellis brings the curtain down

0 - 0 • Published 22 Apr 2009 09:45

Clydebank 60 Strathclyde Police 0

VINNIE Nellis showed no respect for the Police as his hat-trick helped Clydebank to a 10-try victory.

When the two sides met six weeks ago, the Police won in controversial circumstances, with the pitch and referee called into question by the travelling Clydebank team.

But back at their Whitecrook home, an emphatic win helped tip the balance back in the Bankies favour.

Nellis, pictured inset, ran in three tries while there were braces for both David Miller and Michael Starkey as well as singles for Derek Nolan, Ross Moffatt and Graeme Kyle.

With the sun shining and the pitch in excellent condition, it was going to be a day for running rugby and Clydebank did just that.

Within three minutes, Alex Allan had crossed the line, but his try was inexplicably disallowed.

It was Nellis who scored the first try of the day, after eight minutes. A kick and chase by Kyle deep into the Police half resulted in a line out for Clydebank.

The Clydebank jumpers, Euan Cuthbert and Declan Coyle, easily won possession close to the line and this led to the ball being fed out quickly to Nellis on the wing who slid in.

The Police regained some composure and held the Clydebank onslaught for the next 15 minutes, but it was to be Nellis again who rounded off another attacking phase of play deep in the Police territory to add the second try.

Three minutes later, another Clydebank attack went from touch line to touch line with a number of players involved.

Eventually Kyle made the break which tied in most of the Police defenders before passing to Nolan who crashed through the final two defenders to touch down in the corner.

The kick off gave the Police their best chance of points when a silly mistake by the forwards resulted in a penalty to the Police. However, it was not to be their day with the kick going wide and the points going a-begging.

The next try was initiated by another run from Nellis who danced along the touch line, but just went out before touching down.

From the resultant line-out, won by Cuthbert, a driving maul was formed and Moffatt finished it off with a try.

Paul Andrew crossed the line minutes later, but was called back for an earlier infringement.

Bang on half-time, Kyle crossed for his try under the posts which gave Moffatt the chance for his first conversion - one he took with ease to end the half 27-0 ahead.

The second half saw the back three of Nellis, Miller and Starkey run amok with Nellis adding his third and Miller and Starkey bagging a brace of tries each. Moffatt added four conversions to complete the scoring for the day.

The match was a show in running rugby by the Clydebank backs who were supported superbly by the forwards. The supporters were treated to a fine display to end off a successful, but somewhat mixed season which could have finished with much more, but for a few lapses in concentration in key matches.

Next week, Clydebank are off on their annual tour when they travel to Gloucester.

Clydebank operate youth teams from P1 to U16 and are always looking for new players, further information is available from Gordon McCombe on 07812582775 or on the club website at www.clydebankrfc.com.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 22 Apr 09

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