BT National League Two

ARDROSSAN ACCCIES 24

CARTHA RFC 39

by Danny McGreish

THIS was a game that pitched the second bottom club against the second top team in the league.

The more pessimistic of the home supporters were predicting a big loss - this wasn't the case although the better team did win in the end.

In perfect conditions Jack Anderson kicked off with Accies attacking the school end of the pitch, the hosts spilled the ball, giving the visitors the first scrum of the match. Quick distribution from the base of the scrum allowed the Cartha backs to get into the home 22 where they were awarded a penalty.

Wayne Burrows' attempt at the posts was successful to put his side 3-0 ahead after four minutes.

Accies had a couple of chances to open their account. An Andy Duncan break took play 10 metres from the visitors' line but the ball was spilled in the offload and the chance gone. A Milan Marinkovic pick-up and drive came even closer but Cartha managed to win the ball at the ruck and clear the danger.

The home side did eventually score after a penalty was taken quickly, Gordon Telfer drove close before South African recruit Darren Alexander picked up and went in for his first try. The conversion was missed but Accies were in front after 20 minutes.

Five minutes later poor Accies defence allowed Cartha to score their first try after Callum Dickson finished off a fine handling move to score. The conversion was missed.

The visitors further extended their lead on the half hour after their big pack drove deep into the Accies 22. From the ruck, Thomas Davidson spun the ball wide for Garret Doughty to go in for the try. The conversion was good.

Virtually straight from the restart, slack Accies play allowed the visitors to score their third try when again Callum Dickson who finished off a handling move to score. Wayne Burrows converted to put his side on 22 points.

As the half-time whistle approached Accies scored their second try after Gordon Telfer touched down after a good break by New Zealander Corry Quinn and Jack Anderson converted.

Two minutes into the second half Cartha scored again when from an attacking lineout the visitors big pack drove for the line, before the ball was released to number eight Peter Hollier to go in for Cartha's fourth and bonus-point score. The conversion was missed.

Quinn was also yellow-carded for a high tackle as he tried to prevent the try being scored.

Accies' scrum was "creaking" at times against much heavier opponents but they were competing well and getting their fair share of the ball but any attacking moves were breaking down as the ball was being "spilled" with regularity.

Cartha scored their fifth try after Dickson had bagged his third touchdown when he finished off a forward surge to the line, the conversion was good.

Cartha were now having their best spell of the match as they were dominating possession and territory, they were eventually rewarded when Davidson finished off a sweeping move to go in for a try. The conversion was missed.

With 10 minutes remaining Andy Duncan burst through the visitors defence to score, the conversion was missed.

As full-time approached Callum McKechnie who had a fine match, scored a well-deserved try to give Accies a bonus point. The conversion was good.

In the end there was not a huge difference between the sides.

Cartha deserved victory because they managed the game better and made fewer mistakes.

Accies - for their part give the ball away far too easily - along with a defensive fragility that also has to be resolved if relegation is to be avoided.

Better news for the Memorial Field faithful was that the 2nd XV (aka Finnegan's Fusiliers) recorded a thumping 61-5 victory over Clydebank RFC.