BT National League Two

WEST OF SCOTLAND 45

ARDROSSAN ACCIES 12

by Danny McGreish

AFTER last week's excellent performance, the Accies supporters were anticipating a repeat but it was completely the opposite as all the old frailties returned - slack defence, intercepted passes and an inability to find touch.

If prior to this match Accies stood on the edge of the relegation drop, they are now over the edge and only hanging on by their fingertips.

In damp overcast conditions and on a very heavy pitch Jack Anderson kicked off. From a West scrum No. 8 Angus Thomson drove through the Accies midfield to set up a ruck. Accies were penalised and Ross McAuley kicked to touch to give his side an attacking lineout. From a driving maul the ball was moved in-field for tight head prop Glen Sutherland to drive low through the defence to score. Blair Smith landed the conversion to put his side 7-0 points ahead after five minutes.

After 15 minutes had elapsed Accies finally got into the home half. Robert Hunter released Andy Duncan to power up the left wing but his kick ahead bounced into touch.

West scored their second try in 20 minutes after scrum half Fisken chipped the ball over the visiting defence for right wing Ross Carnegie to gather and drive close to the line and when tackled the ball was recycled to hooker Darren Allen to go in for the try with the conversion good.

Accies produced their best attacking move after the ball was driven up by the pack. From a ruck the ball was distributed quickly along the line but the scoring chance was squandered when it was spilled in the tackle two metres from the try line.

Accies eventually opened their account after Props Docherty and Hamilton drove into the West 22 to set up a ruck, the ball was spun wide for Bruce Hunter to draw the cover defence before offloading to Calum McKechnie for the touchdown. Anderson converted.

West scored their third try in 35 minutes after Ross McAuley caught a punt upfield then ran through ineffective defence before releasing Carnegie to dash for the line and score. The conversion was good.

Two minutes later Accies scored from an attacking lineout when a good catch and driving maul was finished off by Milan Marinkovic. The conversion was missed.

In the last move of the half, West scored their fourth and bonus point try when a long miss pass was intercepted by Jamie McAuley, who ran from his own half to score. The conversion was good.

Two minutes after the restart West scored again after a catch and drive from a five metre lineout was finished off by Mark Jenkinsen, The conversion was good.

Accies' woes continued when an injury to Calum McKechnie forced him to retire, he was replaced by Jack Anderson.

Further injuries saw Accies prop Stuart Docherty and captain Stuart Lamont withdrawn to be replaced by Rodger Sutherland and Scott Campbell .

West scored again in 70 minutes. Fraser Smeaton picked up and released Blair Smith to go in for the try, the conversion was missed.

Accies were still flinging wayward passes and leaking far too many penalties.

In the last move West scored their seventh and last try when Fraser Smeaton finished off a driving maul to score. The conversion was missed.

West thoroughly deserved their victory.

If Accies beat relegation then consistency of performance and an improvement in defence and offence will have to be addressed .