Oban Lorne rugby round-up

Oban Lorne 19

 

Greenock 48

 

West League Division One (Women's)

 

"attachment_818836" "" "300"] Ellie Pickens and Caitlen Fowler make a break with the ball. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

 

After falling short in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Oban Lorne Ladies geared up with better numbers for their game against Greenock.

 

The hosts had a positive opening quarter with good pressure from captain Kirsty Sinclair and her forward pack. A dominant scrum from the home team led to vice captain and player of the match Veronica Speirs showing clever handling and gaining ground with another Oban scrum on Greenock’s 5m line resulting in a well-deserved try for Kayleigh Roche.

 

The re-start was collected by Oban’s try scorer, however, a turnover for Greenock and missed tackles led to a score for the Greenock centre who charged in from the 22. A successful conversion saw the visitors take the lead.

 

Despite great attacking lines and defensive pressure from Oban, handling errors from the hosts were giving away possession when opportunities appeared. With a number of close penalties going the way of the visitors for offside play, Greenock grabbed another scoring opportunity.

 

A pivotal point in the match came not long before the half-time whistle following a final warning for the Oban team. Kirsty Sinclair made what was close to being the perfect intercept and break way try. However, this was called back, and the captain was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes as a result of the collective warning. With tempers flaring in both teams, Greenock scored again before the whistle, making the half-time score to 5-19.

 

The second half continued in a similar vein with handling errors from both teams. Greenock were relieved when scrums became uncontested and scored another three tries in succession.

 

"attachment_818839" "" "300"] Try scorer Julie Campbell charges to the Greenock defence. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

A try from Julie Campbell, set up by Lucy Stewart who also converted, closed the gap but despite fearless defence from the home team, Greenock broke through again to score twice.

 

Sinclair had the last say with a final try, converted by Stewart.

 

GHK 67

 

Oban Lorne 26

 

Under 14s West Region Programme

 

Oban started the game well, making good breaks through Conan Burns, Tom Corns and Dougie Brown but the opposition were adept at the breakdown and moved the ball wide to their quick wingers who used the space out wide on the big pitch.

 

This lead to scoring dominance for the hosts and a half-time scoreline of 43-0.

 

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with the hosts scoring straight from kick off.

 

Five minutes in, a good tackle from Josh Olds led to a great counter ruck which saw the ball moved to Dougie Brown who burst through three tackles before being stopped just short of the try line. From here he passed the ball onto the fearless Finlay Cottier who  scored Oban's first try.

 

GHK attacked wide and scored again.

 

Oban came storming back with driving runs from Jake Jevons, Stasiu Kupczak and Josh Olds leading to a quick ruck ball and Finlay Cottier passing to Toby Wilson to set off on a 30m charge to the try line for Oban's second, converted by Tom Corns.

 

GHK answered with a converted try before Cottier snuck over for his second, converted by Tom Corns.

 

Once again, the pendulum swung back in GHK's favour as they scored what would be their final try of the day.

 

In the closing minutes, a great shove in the scrum allowed the outside backs to win the ball and strong direct running from Conan Burns and Ben Docherty lead to the final try of the day, scored by Josh Olds and converted by Tom Corns.

 

The team, consisting of six first year high school pupils, showed tremendous spirit and never gave up. Man of the match: Toby Wilson.

 

Photographs

 

NO_T45_ObanLorneLadiesVGreenock_E2Q2633: Julie Campbell and Caitlin Fowler focus intently on chasing a loose ball. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

NO_T45_ObanLorneLadiesVGreenock_E2Q2682: Ellie Pickens and Caitlen Fowler make a break with the ball. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

NO_T45_ObanLorneLadiesVGreenock_E2Q2717: Julie Campbell charges to the Greenock defence. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

NO_T45_ObanLorneLadiesVGreenock_E2Q2733: Caitlen Fowler does her best to push forward. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

NO_T45_ObanLorneLadiesVGreenock_E2Q3052: Julie Campbell. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.

 

NO_T45_ObanLorneLadiesVGreenock_X3R4959: Caitlen Fowler. Photograph: Stephen Lawson.