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13/12/2009
Lacklustre Oban fail to score at home to Strathendrick.
Scottish Hydro West Division 1 Oban Lorne v Strathendrick
Lacklustre Oban fail to score.
Oban had several players returning to the squad for the home match at Glencruitten including Bert Wright at stand off and Chris MacDonald and Craig McGougan at centre although both David Hunter and Mark McTighe were unavailable from last week’s team which lost narrowly at Cumnock.
The weather was crisp and bright although the pitch had only just been defrosted by the time kick off came, really a great day for running rugby.
Oban were slow to start and seemed unable to break out of their own half as Endrick had the upperhand in posession and territory. What scraps Oban did manage to pick up were generally aimlessly kicked back to the visitors who used their pacy back three players to run back at Oban. The visitors were 3-0 up after 10minutes before scoring 2 further first half tries for a 15-0 score line. Too often Oban put themselves under pressure by not clearing their lines or missing first time tackles and played to the visitors strengths by gifting them possession. There was also far too little continuity or aggression from the forwards to create any kind of platform for the backs to work with.
Although Oban raised their game at times in the second period they were not able to turn around their fortunes and the match followed a similar pattern. There were some good breakouts when the Smith twins combined to good effect but none were finished off leaving the home scoreline blank. Strathendrick scored a further 2 tries for a final score of 27-0.
Overall this was one of Oban’s worst performances of the season which was a bit of a mystery with a strengthened playing squad to choose from. If it had not been for some last ditch tackles by captain Gary MacEwan then the try count would have been higher.
Despite the stale festive fare on offer from the men in green there was an excellent sponsors lunch before the match and some seasonal fancy dress from the players after the match.
Oban now have a 4 week break from league rugby over the festive period in which time it is hoped the playing squad recharge their batteries before first footing Paisley on 09 January.
Oban Lorne Team - M. Downie, R. MacQueen, A. Park, J. MacMillan, T. Smith, S. Smith, C. Louw, A. MacDougall, E. Wilson, R. Wright, A. Wright, C. McGougan, C. MacDonald, C. Smith, G. MacEwan, R. Jackson, M. Morris, D. Williams.
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