Bishopton bounce back to move seven points clear

Bishopton returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with an eight-try victory at Mid Argyll, extending their lead at the top of West Division Two to seven points.

After the disappointment of their previous league outing against Lochaber, this was an assured response from the league leaders. Positive attacking rugby and contributions across the squad delivered a convincing away win which, coupled with results elsewhere, strengthened their position at the summit.

Charlie MacKinnon opened the scoring after nine minutes, driving over beside the posts, with Kyle Robertson adding the conversion. Mid Argyll kept the visitors from adding to their tally until the 24th minute, when Jamie Dunn found a gap by the posts to sneak in for Bishopton’s second try. Robertson again converted to establish a 14–0 advantage.

Paul Connelly added a third try off the back of a driving maul in the 34th minute, taking Bishopton into the interval with a 19–0 lead and leaving the hosts facing a considerable task.

Any hopes of an immediate Mid Argyll recovery were checked when Max Catto crossed in the 41st minute to secure Bishopton’s fourth try and the bonus point. Robertson’s conversion stretched the advantage to 26–0 before Gabe Young showed his pace to beat two Mid Argyll defenders to reach Jamie Dunn’s chip towards the corner, adding another five-pointer six minutes later.

The hosts opened their account with a converted try in the 51st minute, but Bishopton’s response was swift. A well-worked move sent Sandy Glassford over in the corner four minutes later. Former Mid Argyll player Alisdair Peterson then marked his return to Lochgilphead with a try in the 58th minute, this time wearing Bishopton’s green and black and quietening the home supporters who had been giving him a lively welcome. Conversions from Robertson and Robbie De Venny respectively pushed the visitors into a commanding 45–7 lead.

Bishopton were reduced to 14 men in the 62nd minute when Stewart Craig was shown a yellow card for offside, following a team warning over repeated infringements. Mid Argyll capitalised with a converted try a minute later to reduce the deficit.

Even a man down, Bishopton continued to impose themselves, twice driving Mid Argyll backwards at the scrum. Max Catto claimed his second try in the 67th minute after chasing down a clever chip from Robbie De Venny over the top of a tired Mid Argyll defence, and Robertson’s sixth successful conversion completed the scoring at 52–14.

Bishopton’s player of the match, Ross McGowan, made a strong contribution in attack and defence, while Robbie De Venny’s control at stand-off earned him the ‘Bishy Way Award’. There was also an encouraging debut from junior graduate Sam Worrall, who made his presence felt with several forceful tackles after coming off the bench.

There remains plenty of rugby to be played, but this was precisely the response Bishopton needed. A comprehensive away victory restored momentum and ensured their previous setback did little to loosen their grip on top spot.