Oban Lorne Rugby Football Club’s Under 16s came up against a powerful Cartha/Cambuslang team on Sunday at Glencruitten in a high scoring affair.
Oban’s opponents took the lead after two minutes, before a second try for the visitors increased their lead to 12-0 within the opening five minutes.
Oban were struggling to create opportunities until a big tackle from captain Franek Kupczak saw the ball fall to Hamish Macintyre, who crashed over for Oban’s first score to reduce the deficit to 5-12.
A series of powerful drives from the visitors on 25 minutes saw them score again to increase their lead, but Oban scored next.
The ball was moved from a well-controlled scrum to fly-half Donald MacCormick, whose long kick was gathered by the excellent Josh Olds, who crossed the line.
Two late Cartha/Cambuslang tries took the half-time score to 10-33, but Oban started the second half strongly, with Liam Maclennan stealing an opposition lineout.
Ben Docherty then gathered the ball and charged forward, passing to Macintyre who made good ground to set up a ruck.
From this promising breakdown, Joe Corns released the elusive MacCormick to score Oban’s third try. Macintyre then barged over from a tap penalty 10 minutes later, with this converted by Maclennan to narrow the gap to 22-33.
Oban’s inability to clear their lines may have led to another try for the visitors, but the hosts struck back once more, with MacCormick making another break.
This was followed by strong attacking play from Macintyre and Archie Johnston, which set up centre Daniel Campbell to score, as Liam Maclennan added the extras to make it 29-38.
A poor re-start allowed Cartha/Cambuslang in for another try which was followed by an excellent counter attack try from the visitors’ winger.
Oban scored the final try of the game through captain Kupczak after good handling and rucking, with another Macintyre conversion making the final score 36-52.
It was a tough game for Oban, especially as they were held up over the opposition try line on three occasions.
The team struggled to get going in the first-half, but improved after the interval to outscore the opposition in the second-half.
Josh Olds was named player of the match, with the youngest player on the pitch fronting up at every opportunity.
The Under 16s boys will next be in action at Lenzie in the quarter finals of the National Bowl on Saturday November 11.
Oban Lorne’s Boys Under 18s side’s match with Dalziel was postponed last Saturday.