GARNOCK welcomed their visitors from across the Clyde to Lochshore on Saturday for a crunch match.

GARNOCK welcomed their visitors from across the Clyde to Lochshore on Saturday for a crunch match.

This was a crucial relegation showdown for the hosts, who were boosted by starts from Rory Walker and burly centre Danny Irvine, although they lacked a regular hooker due to injuries.

Playing towards Kilbirnie in perfect springlike conditions, Garnock started promisingly just missing an early penalty. However they were soon shocked when Helensburgh, after kicking a penalty to the left corner easily won the lineout. A long miss pass released centre Howell to score a converted try near the posts to lead 7-0.

The home team rallied and a neat break by scrum half Jared Reekie combining with number eight Matt Shiells led to a penalty in the left corner.

The lineout was lost, not for the first or last time during the game, with Garnock struggling with the throw-ins.

For the next 15 minutes play ebbed back and forth in midfield with Garnock probably kicking possession away too much.

On the half hour they got on the scoreboard when Rory Walker kicked a penalty after a strong run by hooker Luke Wynn.

Helensburgh hit back and were close to scoring when Reekie picked and nearly scored after sprinting the whole length of the pitch.The visitors number eight was sin binned in covering back but the resulting penalty was missed, leaving Garnock trailing 7-3 at the break.

At the interval Garnock introduced prop Gavin Blackburn to shore up the scrum, and Luke Wynn had another run stopped by a trip leading to another yellow card for the visitors.

Now playing against 13 men for five minutes the hosts dominated ,and stand off Walker soon dummied over for a touchdown which he converted himself. Matthew Shiells made a lot of ground from scrum pickups, leading to a try by flanker David Ramsey-Milller, converted by Walker, making the score 17-7.

With Helensburgh restored to their full complement of players, Garnock now had their tails up and continued with their best rugby of the season, scoring three more well-worked tries.

Left winger Andrew Mitchell cut inside nicely, linking up for centre Danny Irvine to score near the posts. Walker converted then from the kickoff, gathered his short kick ahead and fed fullback Ewan Perry to outpace the defence.

Garnock again continued to press with good handling, and recycled the ball from the left corner. A long cross field pass from Walker found Perry racing over for a converted try making the score 36-7 with 10 minutes to go.

The home team eased off a little towards the end, allowing the visitors scrum half to nip over for a converted try, making the final score 36-14.

This welcome victory helped Garnock’s relegation worries, with results from upper divisions making them safe for this season.

They entertain bottom club Annan at Lochshore this Saturday, April 11.

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