BT West One

HELENSBURGH 12

GARNOCK 30

GARNOCK on Saturday travelled to Helensburgh, holding a proud undefeated league record.

With Helensburgh languishing in the relegation area and Garnock in the promotion hunt, a victory was expected.

Helensburgh kicked off but were repulsed by a relieving kick from Keir Walker.

In two minutes the hosts were reduced to 14 men when Stuart King was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle. This spurred Garnock on and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring after seven minutes. From a lineout at the Helensburgh 22 line, a slight knock on resulted in a scrum to Helensburgh.

Garnock won the ball and fed out to winger Fraser Brocket who almost scored in the corner. With the ball recycled, the home backs were deemed offside and prevented a certain score. The referee, rightly, awarded Garnock a penalty try. With the conversion conceded Garnock moved 7-0 ahead.

The ball was fielded well inside the Helensburgh half. Full-back Drake elected to take the play inside the Garnock half and evaded several tacklers to release winger Stevenson who in turn sped on to score near touch. The conversion was missed and it was 7-5 in 12 minutes.

Garnock replied within two minutes when Walker converted a penalty from the 22-metre mark.

The hosts were much the better side thanks to Jordan Taggart’s powerful running, Chris Neill’s astute kicking and the powerful Garnock pack dominating the set pieces.

In 20 minutes they were rewarded with a second try. The pack won a scrum and Walker fed the ball to Neill who drew his man and released Taggart who fed on to Jared Reekie and he found space to sprint over to score well out. The conversion was missed but Garnock led 15-5.

Then in 31 minutes, the Helensburgh scrum half, McAulay, broke away from a scrum on Garnock’s 22-metre line to score between the posts. The conversion was good.

Two minutes later, Walker converted a penalty when Helensburgh were again caught offside making it 18-12.

Garnock went further ahead when Luke Wynn picked up from a maul and burst his way over at the posts. Walker converted to push Garnock ahead at 12-25 after 38 minutes.

The visitors re-started the second half but were immediately on the defensive as Helensburgh forced their way into the visitors' 22 They were beginning to get the upper hand in the set exchanges but the Garnock tackling was secure.

With time running out it took a bit of “magic” from Garnock’s centre Taggart to speed his way over for the bonus point try near the corner. The kick was missed as the score moved to 30-12 with two minutes remaining.

GARNOCK: Wynn; O’Neill, Shiells, McGeachey, D Miller, Watson, DR Miller, Dominy, Walker, Neill, Brocket, Reekie, Taggart, Woods, Anderson, Miller J, Gibb, Richmond, Irvine.

On Saturday, Garnock take on local neighbours and rivals Irvine Rugby Club at Lochshore, ko 3pm.