West Division 3
Mid Argyll RFC 22
Lochaber RFC 10
Lochaber travelled to Lochgilphead to play near neighbours Mid Argyll this Saturday past, having endured a series of called off games in recent weeks. Struggling for numbers, a squad of 16 made the journey south hoping to restart their promotion push.
Lochaber knew a strong start was essential, but it was the hosts who had the better of the opening exchanges, keeping the Banavie men pinned in their own half.
With defence in recent matches having cost Lochaber, it was great to see the team pull together to counter any threats posed by Mid Argyll, with one particular try saving tackle by flanker Ben Spong earning kudos from those on the pitch and the watching crowd.
Despite keeping Mid Argyll at bay, a series of handling errors and penalties at the breakdown meant Lochaber could not build any momentum of their own and the first 25 minutes passed in the away half, but remained scoreless.
Lochaber managed to then build some pressure, with direct running helping the team enter the opposition 22 for the first time, before a quickly taken penalty saw the visitors gain their first sight of the try line.
A cynical play from the defence saw the ball sealed off at the breakdown with the perpetrator given a yellow card and 10 minutes in the bin. Lochaber took the opportunity to put some points on the board, captain Ryan Davies slotting the kick for a 3-0 half time lead.
The second half began with a significantly better performance from the visitors, who applied concerted pressure in the opponent’s 22 and got their reward from an attacking lineout. Setting the maul, Lochaber powered over from 15 metres out, with George Hoddinott, playing at number 8, scoring his first try in Lochaber colours. A few minutes into the second half and it was looking good for the visitors, who led 10-0 when Davies added the extras from out wide.
Unfortunately, Lochaber did not react well at the next restart, with Mid Argyll recovering a fumbled ball and barrelling over from short range. With the conversion missed, the score was 10-5 to Lochaber.
The game flowed back and forth, with Mid Argyll growing in confidence. A quickly taken penalty from the hosts saw Aaron McGhee harshly sin binned for an offside tackle and Mid Argyll scored again to level the scores at 10-10, with the conversion again missed.
Down to 14 men and with the hosts in the ascendency, Lochaber once more fell into the pattern that has plagued their season so far, losing focus at key moments in the game.
Mid Argyll took advantage to score their third, for a 15-10 lead, with the home kicker having an off day from the tee.
Lochaber had to fight for every ball and metre gained and were presented with a great opportunity from an attacking lineout. Although no score came from the opportunity, it did provide the quote of the day and a highlight for the home fans.
The visitors secured the lineout and the ball passed off the top to scrum half Zander Entwistle, who was told by stand-off Davies in no uncertain terms, “Don’t pass me the ball!”
What followed was the textbook definition of a ‘hospital pass’, as the Mid Argyll defender hit Davies with a thunderous tackle just as he caught the ball. For Davies to get up and shake it off, his face plastered in mud from the impact with the ground, was something of a miracle.
The hosts found time to take the bonus point with a fourth try against the tiring Lochaber, all scored in a similar manner, and a change of kicker saw the final score recorded as 22-10 to Mid Argyll. Some work is required for Lochaber to cut out unnecessary penalties around the ruck and to maintain focus for the full 80 minutes if their season is to meet the early promise shown.
Lochaber Senior Men hope to end 2023 and get their season back on track as they travel to Mull to take on the islanders on Saturday, December 16, with the scheduled kick off at 2pm.