BT National League Two

ARDROSSAN ACCIES 16

CARTHA RFC 18

NORMALLY achieving a hat-trick in sport means a victory but not in the Accies' case as they were beaten in injury-time for the third time this season.

In perfect conditions Jack Anderson kicked off the match for Accies, a good catch and drive upfield by Cartha's Peter Hollier took play into the home half where the first scrum was called for a "knock-on.

Accies produced a good attacking move in the five minutes when Anderson threw a long miss pass to Robert Hunter who burst deep into the visitors' 22 where Accies were awarded a penalty. A kick to touch and an attacking lineout was disrupted by Cartha and the ball cleared . Martin Pursley gathered, brushed aside attempted tackles and took play back into the opposition danger zone where again Accies were awarded another penalty. An Anderson kick at the posts was successful to put the home side 3-0 ahead in 10- minutes. Anderson converted another penalty two minutes later.

The visitors were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the Accies line, a scrum was their preferred option . Accies were driven back at the put in and lock forward Graeme Williamson touched down but the conversion was missed.

In 35 minutes Allan Wilson put a long clearance kick upfield, Grant Lewis chased up and tackled the Cartha receiver as he attempted to clear. Accies were awarded a penalty for not releasing in the tackle and Anderson kicked to touch for an attacking lineout. A Gordon Telfer catch and driving maul by the home pack resulted in captain Stewart Lamont scoring, but the conversion was missed.

In the last play of the half, Cartha's number 10 Wayne Burrows kicked a penalty.

The hosts were reduced to 14 players in 55 minutes when the referee sent second row Mick McFarlane to the sin=bin for spoiling in the ruck.

With numerical advantage Cartha laid siege to the Accies line and were awarded another penalty. Opting again for the scrum. they marched the home side back and the referee awarded a penalty try as the Accies pack collapsed. Wayne Burrows converted to put his side in front.

A burst through the Cartha defence by Andy Duncan was supported by Robert Hunter and play was taken deep into the visitors half where Accies were awarded a penalty. A Ben Hamilton "tap and go" was stopped on the line by the Cartha defence. After four phases of play Wilson put over a cross field kick to Hunter who was denied a score through a try-saving tackle by Tony Nyangweso.

Accies then launched a five minute all-out attack on the visitors line. Successive drives by Ben Hamilton, Gordon Telfer and Stewart Lamont were stopped very close to the try line. Eventually. play was taken into the right hand corner and Matt Hood finished off the move by going over. The conversion was missed.

Three minutes into injury-time the referee yellow carded Sam Dagar for a "spear tackle" and up stepped Burrows to give his side a very narrow victory with the last kick of the match.