Birkmyre 10 – 38 Cambuslang
Arnold Clark West Division 2
Saturday 4th April 2025 – KO 2.45pm
Birkmyre remain in 4th place in West League Division 2 despite defeat at home on Saturday to top-of-the-table Cambuslang. In difficult conditions, the game was over as a contest by half-time with the visitors leading 31-0. However, the Bears rallied in the second half to get points on the board.
Cambuslang took the lead after six minutes following a fairly balanced opening period. From a line-out on the left, they worked the ball across for their winger to touch down in the corner. They then proceeded to score twice more in the next 10 minutes to stretch their lead to 17 points.
The overhead and underfoot conditions were making it difficult for both sides to move the ball freely. This resulted in handling errors creeping in and, combined with a few inconsistent refereeing decisions, was causing the game to stop and start.
Despite this, Cambuslang were on top and scored two more tries before the break in the 24th and 31st minutes. The first came following a prolonged period of pressure in the home side’s 22. From a second quick-tap penalty in a row, they moved the ball right where a looping pass cut out Birkmyre’s rush defence for their centre to score under the posts. The next came from a blocked clearance kick which fell into the hands of one of the Cambuslang forwards, who only had to go 5m to get over the line.
The half-time team talk appeared to work as Birkmyre came out for the second period as the more positive of the sides. From the kick-off, they worked the ball down the pitch, picking up the odd scrum and penalty along the way. Five minutes into the half, they worked the ball into the Cambuslang 22. From a scrum 10m out, the forwards retained possession and half a dozen phases later, Louis Hoodless drove over for the score.
Birkmyre also brought on Kieran McNichol for his senior debut in the second half. Having only turned 18 last month, he was thrown into the thick of the action and performed very well in both the scrum and open play.
Birkmyre then got a second score back in the 55th minute. It was a great solo effort from Ross Moglia. He collected the ball on the 22 from an attacking scrum. He fended off two defenders and then weaved his way through the Cambuslang pack to dive over the line.
It did not take long for Cambuslang to get one back as, three minutes later, they scored again. Their scrum-half took a quick tap on the Birkmyre 22 and weaved through defenders and missed tackles for what turned out to be the final score.
Due to the playing conditions, the full-time whistle was blown 10 minutes early. However, sufficient time had been played for the result to stand.
Birkmyre have two league matches remaining. They take on promotion-chasing Cumbernauld in a fortnight before travelling to Lochgilphead to play Mid Argyll a week later in the final outing of the season.
Photography: with thanks to Fiona Wallace
