Isle of Mull RFC 17
Lochaber RFC 31
West Division 3
Lochaber rounded out 2023 in style with a comfortable bonus point win away to local rivals Isle of Mull.
The boys from Banavie undertook the 50-mile and two ferry trip to Garmony in some fairly wild weather this Saturday past, looking for a good performance to get their season back on track.
With many surprised the game was to go ahead at all, the squad of 18 took to the field for the warm up to discover that the hosts only had 14 available players.
Following the ‘Game On’ protocol, Lochaber matched those numbers by dropping one player to the bench for kick off.
With the wind howling diagonally across the pitch, winning the toss gave Lochaber an early advantage.
Play mostly took place in the Mull half and it wasn’t long before the visitors took the lead, with tight head prop Josh MacKay following up good attacking play to power over the line.
The conditions meant that kicking from a tee was challenging and the conversion from Ryan Davies slipped wide.
Lochaber maintained their early pressure, and soon extended their lead when hooker Rory MacKay barrelled past numerous would-be tacklers to dot down.
Mull struggled against the wind and it was Lochaber who scored once more, centre Hamish White finishing a fine passage of attacking play. Davies added the conversion to stretch the lead.
However, a loss of focus allowed their hosts back into the game. Mull won a series of penalties in the Lochaber 22 and some loose defending around the ruck allowed the hosts a close range try.
The deficit was further reduced when a penalty try was awarded. Visiting scrum half Calum Sandison was pinged for being offside on the Lochaber try line.
Lochaber came roaring back into the game, when winger turned wing forward Davy Duncan got in on the act, securing the bonus point with a strong run and a score between the sticks for an easy conversion.
Duncan then added his second and Lochaber’s fifth try to make the score 31-12 at half time.
The second half began with Lochaber playing into the wind and facing the pressure of Mull having territorial advantage.
However, a series of head injuries reduced the hosts to twelve players eventually, although Lochaber did provide a player to make sure the game could reach its conclusion.
Mull did find time to score from close range to make the final score 31-17 and the referee used his discretion to end that match at 60 minutes, with the injuries and weather playing their part in his decision.
Lochaber Rugby Football Club wish to invite all current, former and retired men’s and women’s senior team players to Banavie for the final rugby action of 2023 – the annual Boxing Day Match.
The clubhouse opens at 12pm to serve hot drinks and mince pies to spectators, with players to report at 1pm and the match scheduled to kick off at 2 pm.
Merry Christmas to all the LRFC family – volunteers, players and supporters.