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7/12/2009
Narrow loss at Cumnock
SHE West League Division 1
Cumnock 33-29 Oban Lorne
Oban Lorne travelled to Cumnock last Saturday hoping to leapfrog their opponents in the league with a much needed win.
Oban coach Corrie Louw made several changes to the side which lost narrowly to Clydebank in the Bowl most notably with club captain Gary McEwan staring at stand off and twins Cameron and Struan Smith starting in the centres.
The game started woefully for Oban who took too long to get the long journey out of their legs. The result was a early 19-0 lead for the home side with only 15 minutes gone.
The men in green however refused to let this bad start affect their own attacking play and from the result of fantastic work by the forwards an overlap was created form a driving maul to produce Obans first score of the afternoon.
Cumnock started to dominate after this with some powerful breaks by the forwards. But the Oban defence stood strong and denied the home side another try. Cumnock’s next try came in the form of a penalty try controversially awarded by the referee. Oban fullback Ryan Jackson was punished for not releasing the ball on the deck near the try line and the penalty try was awarded by the referee much to Obans bemusement. This was successfully converted to give Cumnock a 26-5 lead.
Oban finished the second half well with a simple catch and drive off a line out which was finished with a close range try from Robin MacQueen which was converted by Scrum Half Euan Wilson giving a half time score of 26-12.
Oban started the second half as they had finished the first. Playing to their strengths of keeping the ball tight and denying the Cumnock team of any possession. This good work was again awarded with a try by Jamie MacMillan, his first for Oban Lorne which when converted reduced Cumnocks lead to only seven points.
Cumnock however struck back almost immediately with a good try resulting in quick ball for the fast and powerful players in the backline, which cut through the Oban defence and scored their fifth try of the afternoon.
At this point the game looked gone for Oban but the team had other ideas. Oban continued to play the ball tight and took advantage of some indiscipline from the home side. The result was a try under the posts for centre Cameron Smith which pulled Oban back into the game with the score at 22-33.
Oban continued their comeback this time with another try aided by more penalties and indiscipline form Cumnock and another try was scored this time from Mark McTighe again form close range giving a score of 33-29 with 5 minutes to go. Oban continued to attack right to the death and squandered several good scoring chances. However Oban Lorne could not complete the dream comeback and the game ended with a huge sigh of relief for the Cumnock players and supporters.
Despite the loss Oban pick up two crucial away points meaning they pull a little further away from the relegation places below them.
Next week Oban are at home to the leagues second placed side Strathendrick with a 2pm KO at Glencruitten. All welcome.
Oban Scorers, R. MacQueen, J. MacMillan, A. MacDougall, C. Louw and M. McTighe. E. Wilson ( 2 converisons)
Oban Lorne Team - M. Downie, R. MacQueen, A. Park, J. MacMillan, T. Smith, D. Hunter, C. Louw, M. McTighe, E. Wilson, G. MacEwan, A. Wright, C. Smith, S. Smith, A. MacDougall, R. Jackson. C. Thomson.
MOM = J. MacMillan
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