‘CRAIGS STEP UP AT STRATHIE

In perfect playing conditions and in front of a good crowd of spectators, the young Whitecraigs team continued their run of wins in National Division 3 with a sound performance against a strong Strathmore team.  The fortress that is Inchmacoble hadn’t been breached for a long time and with both teams making several enforced changes this was never going to be a foregone conclusion.

 ‘Craigs promoted several of the successful seconds team and brought in Ross Walker in the front row, James Henderson in the second row, Craig Percival, James Kemp and Gary Emans in the backs.  Fraser Campbell also stepped up from the hugely successful Under 18s to join the squad.  They all fitted in well and it didn’t take long for the visitors to show they meant business.  With Stuart Pollock in devastating form in the pack, the backs were given good ball and it was on 7 minutes that captain Ryan Moffat started off the scoring by breaking the home side defence and running in for a try that he converted to take ‘Craigs into an early 7 point lead.  The home pack never made things easy and their strong front five made sure that the ‘Craigs pack had to work hard in both the set piece and the loose.  Nonetheless, with 20 minutes gone Ally Little again broke the defence and the ball went out to Ally Stevenson to sprint in for a try on the corner and ‘Craigs nudged ahead by 12 points.  Strathie piled on the pressure and some strong ‘Craigs defence made sure their scoring was limited to a penalty kick that took the half time score to 12 points to 3 in favour of the visitors. 

The second half started off with ‘Craigs backs showing great tactical kicking that took the team into the home half.  Ryan Moffat took his chance with a well-taken drop goal to stretch the lead by another 3 points and the Craigs pack continued to throw the ball around and keep the heavier home forwards on the run.  Further forward pressure saw Craigs pack drive over for a superb forward try and Nicky Blamire was at the bottom of the heap of bodies to claim 5 points.  Moffat again converted.  Although the home side battled hard, some poor handling in the backs prevented them from breaking through a strong Whitecraigs defence and after some slick passing between the backs, it was Ally Stevenson who again came in at speed to score under the posts. Moffat again stepped up to convert and the final score of 27 points to 3 for the visitors was a well-deserved win for this fit and well marshalled team.

Whitecraigs now sit in second place and look forward to next weeks visitors Glenrothes.   Coach Jim Henderson was pleased with this convincing from his fast improving squad.  As he said, “there’s no room for any slip ups, Lenzie, Marr and Hawick YM are all up there fighting for the points and it’ll be a long and hard season”.