Birkmyre RFC 71 – 29 Mull RFC
Birkmyre romped to victory at the weekend with a resounding 71-29 win at home to Isle of Mull keeping them in top spot in the league. The home side ran in 11 tries in total, 8 of which were converted.
Mull arrived in Kilmacolm a few players short however Birkmyre were able to supply a few bodies to allow the match to proceed. Although the score might suggest otherwise, it was a very competitive affair for over half the match with Birkmyre down 28-29 at one point. However, a second half onslaught from the home side killed the game off.
Birkmyre started very positively with Ali Peacock & Robbie Espie both running in tries on the first 10 minutes. Both of those were converted by David Cruickshank. Peacock powered his way through from short distance and managed to stretch out to tap the ball down when tackled just short of the line. Espie on the other hand made a clean break from 25m out and was able to jog in for his score unopposed. Mull then responded well with 2 scores on their own making it 14-10.
Cruickshank then scored the first of his two tries. Having gathered a pass about 40m out, he chipped the defence and collected the ball on the bounce inside the 22. He was tackled 5m out but had the strength & momentum to get over the line. Again, the try was converted.
Ross McDonnell then extended the home sides lead. Receiving the ball on the touchline inside his own half, he stepped his way past two defenders and was able to run round under the posts for a converted try. Mull did not give up and they responded with two further scores of their own making it 28-22 to Birkmyre at the half.
Mull started brighter in the second half scoring a further converted try a few minutes after the kick off giving them a one point lead. However, from there on in it was one way traffic as Birkmyre turned the screws on the now tired opposition.
Paul Carruth scored his first try on 55 minutes. The forwards had driven the team to 5m out. The ball then went through the backs where he received a pass from Espie allowing him to slide in for 5 points. Cruickshank converted. It was then the turn of scrum half, Jonny Davidsion, to score his first try of the season. The young number 9 went blind at a scrum from 20m out following a No 8 pick up. He was tackled short of the line and was getting pushed into touch. However, he used his skill and agility to dive for the corner flag and managed to touch down one handed for a world class score.
Cruickshank missed that conversion, however he was in 2 minutes later for his second try. Birkmyre took a tap and go penalty on the half way line. The ball made its way to Cruickshank who had taken up a position close to the side of the pitch. He cut inside on an angle deceiving the Mull defenders then used his pace to run a great line to touch down under the post. He then converted his own score.
Ali Dickson then got on the scoresheet. The second row forward stretch his legs having picked up a loose ball from a ruck on the opposition 22 to sprint over the line. Skipper Ross Moglia then scored his only try of the match. Attacking from 30m out, Cruickshank sent a long looping pass to winger McDonnell. He sprinted down the line an popped a simple ball inside to Moglia who was left to stroll under the posts.
The penultimate try went to Paul Carruth. The full back received the ball deep on his own half. Using his pace and wicked side step, he danced his way a full 70m to score a fantastic individual try. The final score of the match went to Ali Peacock. Receiving the ball just inside his own half, he broke into opposition territory. He skipped past 3 defenders to score under the posts with Cruickshank slotting over his 8th conversion.
Birkmyre remain top of the league on 31 points. Moffat are second on 28 following by Irvine & Lochaber on 24 & 23 points respectively. Birkmyre take on Glasgow University Medics this Saturday with a 2pm lick off.
