GARNOCK travelled to Coatbridge to take on the local Waysiders Drumpellier (WD) side in their quest for league points.

The hosts kicked off in dismal weather conditions on a muddy pitch and immediately established themselves well inside the WD half.

On the five minute mark they were rewarded with a penalty which they chose to kick for touch some 10 metres from the WD try line. The ball was won at the lineout by Johnny Watson and smuggled back to Luke Wynn who burst over to score well out. Rory Walker converted and the visitors were 7-0 ahead.

With WD coming more into the game the Garnock defence was challenged but they held firm. Set scrums were beginning to go Garnock’s way but play was contained near the half way line.

While under WD pressure, Ally Anderson fielded the ball on his own 22 metre line and kicked for touch at the WD 22 metre line. Garnock disrupted the throw in and won a penalty when the home forwards were deemed to have handled while on the ground. Walker kicked the conversion and Garnock moved into a ten point lead after 18 minutes.

Garnock had to wait another five minutes before forcing their way into the WD half. From a lineout they drove forward and release the ball to scrum half Paul Johnson. His deft chip towards the home try line was anticipated by Anderson who outpaced the defenders to score out on the right touchline. The conversion was missed but Garnock were 15-0 in after 24 minutes.

Both sides were trying to play an open running game of rugby but both sets of defenders were cancelling out the numerous attacks before a scoring chance was created.

As half time beckoned WD were becoming the dominant side. They reduced the arrears by converting a penalty in the 38th minute of the half when David Power slotted over from 35 metres to make the score at the end of the half 3-15 to the visitors.

The second half started brightly for Garnock with Wynn and Danny Irvine testing the WD backs with two penetrating bursts. With 45 minutes played Garnock won a scrum against the head. The ball was fed to Walker who dummied his way into space and sped away to score between the posts. He converted the kick to make the score 3-22.

The next 20 minutes of play was possibly the best of the game so far in that both sides were entertaining the spectators with open rugby and very good covering. Both sets backs were running and passing at every chance they had. The forwards were fighting hard in the set and ruck and the game was flowing from end to end.

With 70 minutes played WD seemed to be getting the upper hand and forced their way well into the Garnock half. But, again, the visiting squad were able to repulse them.

In the 73rd minute John Miller scored Garnock’s bonus point try when, after a Walker burst down the left flank was stopped, the Garnock forwards took up the impetus and set up Miller to power his way over. Walker converted and Garnock ran out winners at 3-29.

With Garnock’s closest rival not playing, the valley side moved back to the top of the table with a game in hand.

Garnock’s next league fixture is on Saturday 11th January against McLaren from Callander at Lochshore with a 2 o’clock kick off.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.