Lochaber RFC 40
West Division 3
Lochaber travelled south to Stonehouse on Saturday for their opening game of the 2023/24 season in West Division 3 against a combined Lanark and Clydesdale side.
With a curtailed pre-season for the team this was their first outing in what was sure to be a competitive match.
Lochaber travelled with 15 players, including three debutants, all of whom were keen to get the campaign off to a positive start against a team over which they had two good results last season.
Lochaber had the wind and blazing early September sun at their backs in the first half and roared into a quick 14 point lead, with Chris Simpson brushing off all would-be tacklers for his first try, before collecting his own audacious chip for his second.
New club captain Ryan Davies slotted both conversions.
The hosts responded almost immediately with a try of their own, exposing some early-season rustiness in the Lochaber line. The conversion was missed.
However, with the change in tackle-height laws this season leading to a raft of penalties, it was the hosts who scored the next two tries, again bursting through some soft Lochaber tackles to cross the whitewash.
But for some wayward conversion attempts, Lochaber would be more than a solitary point behind.
Sustained pressure from the visitors saw Chris Simpson score his, third try, again converted by Ryan Davies and Lochaber ended the half 21-15 to the good.
Beginning the second half, Lochaber had a new challenge with the wind and sun in their faces, and a fired up Lanarkdale team looking to stay with them.
Some strong running from many of the host’s numerous subs saw them briefly take the lead, with a converted score early in the second half.
However, that lead did not last long, with Lochaber’s Number 8 Simpson again finding his way to the line for his fourth score, securing the try bonus point.
Lochaber were finding their rhythm now and after a series of scrums, worked the ball well to the left wing, before a Davies cross-field kick found hooker Garry Speedie in a three-on-one situation on the right wing.
Electing not to pass, he burrowed his way over the line to stretch the visitor’s lead. Davies slotted the conversion.
Lochaber were beginning to play with more consistency and flair and another strong passing move saw the ball quickly recycled to fullback Freddy Fulford who pirouetted around a handful of opponents before dotting down on the line.
Davies added his fifth and final conversion of the day.
The tiring visitors faced an onslaught from the hosts in the remaining moments of the game, and repelled numerous attacks, with Toms Prusis and Koni Johnson both putting in big hits to halt promising moves.
However, the try line was breached for one final time.
Lochaber will hope to build on a strong first outing of the season and deservedly took the full five points on offer back to Banavie where they face Irvine RFC this Saturday.
Head along to support the club from the hill and cheer on both the men’s and women’s team in a double-header of rugby, kicking off with the ladies match against Mackie RFC from noon.
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