Clydebank notch impressive win

Published 9 Sep 2009 10:37

Cumbernauld 3 Clydebank 5

AN away day to Cumbernauld is never a great day out for Clydebank - but this week it was one to remember.

The first XV returned with a precious four points that gives them two wins from two and puts them second in the league.

The weather was wet and miserable,

however, Clydebank made the most of it and put in a fine display of defensive rugby against the home team, who were desperate to win their first home match of the season.

Cumbernauld had the early pressure even though the wind favoured Clydebank.

The early part of the match was played mostly in the Clydebank half, with the Bankies defending well.

Several penalties were exchanged with Cumbernauld electing to kick for touch or take the scrum rather than attempt a kick at goal, something they would later regret.

Clydebank did manage some forays into the Cumbernauld half and were rewarded with a penalty on the quarter hour mark.

However, the kick went wide and the match settled into a battle in the middle of the park.

Just before the half-hour Clydebank had another venture deep into Cumbernauld

territory when several kicks set up an attack close to the try-line.

With the ball being recycled well it gave Clydebank an excellent attacking opportunity which fell to David Bell, who took a pass out to the backs at pace, crashing through the Cumbernauld defence and scoring the try.

Cumbernauld had several more chances to attack the Clydebank line and even the score but each attempt was absorbed by Clydebank and the first half ended without any further score.

The second half saw the weather

deteriorate, which did not help the rugby.

Cumbernauld tried to get back into the match early on but could not penetrate the Clydebank defence.

Clydebank controlled the play just inside their own half and thwarted anything Cumbernauld tried to throw at them.

A lone error by the Clydebank defence did see Cumbernauld charge towards the line, only for the Cumbernauld player to fumble the ball just before the try-line and throw away the chance of an equalising score.

Cumbernauld did get a penalty soon after and opted to kick and successfully made the score 3-5.

It was not until the last minute that the match saw some real excitement when Clydebank were holding out and attempting to count down the clock before kicking the ball out of play to end the match.

With seconds to go, they attempted to take the ball on once too often, leading to a penalty for Cumbernauld for offside.

The kick was in range and Cumbernauld obviously chose to kick and try to snatch a late winner. The kick was missed but the referee let Cumbernauld try again when he penalised a 10-year-old Clydebank supporter for shouting at the wrong time.

With the Clydebank support crestfallen, Cumbernauld kicked again only to miss a second time.

The ball was then cleared to touch and the match ended, marking Clydebank's first win at Cumbernauld for a very long time.

The second XV had their first run out for the season when they welcomed Allan Glens to Whitecrook in the first league match.

Recent experience had shown that Glens were a very good team and the ensuing match was to reinforce that when they ran in 10 tries to two to take the match 10-67.

Clydebank took heart from fielding a team in the first match and the two tries from Declan Coyle and Graeme Smart took the edge off the pain of losing.

The under-17 side, which was full of new players, came up against a stronger Uddingston team who ran in eight tries without reply to seal the victory.

Clydebank managed to improve as the match progressed and definitely held their own in the physical exchanges that peppered the match.

Training will continue at Whitecrook on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7pm for both senior and under-17 players.

The S1, S2 and under-15 age groups will train on the same nights between 5.30pm and 7pm.

The mini section continued their training and will train with Loch Lomond minis next Sunday.

Anyone at primary or secondary school who would like to take up rugby should contact Gordon McCombe (07812 582775) or Michael Starkey (07792 154625) for details.

Clydebank are currently seeking team sponsors.

Anyone interested in supporting their local rugby club should email sponsorship@clydebankrfc.com for details.

The league continues next week at home to Millbrae on September 12.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 09 Sep 09

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