Mid Argyll's season ends with 18-try thriller game

The home team then added another as Luke Plummer went over. With a scrum on the Boars’ 10m line the ball popped out and Buckley found Ritchie who went down the blind side beating three defenders, then produced a lovely reverse pass to the waiting Plummer, who still had two players to beat as he ran in. Ritchie again added the extras.

Cambuslang went on to score a further three tries before halftime, but this was largely again, due to poor discipline and surrendering field position. It wasn’t helped when Robbie MacTavish was yellow carded for a high tackle. The team had just been warned that the next infringement would be punished, and MacTavish was the unlucky one to be dismissed.

Half time came with the visitors leading 14-47.

With MacTavish still off the field Cambuslang were next on the score sheet in the second half, but Mid Argyll were determined to stay in touch with the Glasgow men and hit back through Callum Murray.

This time a penalty and then a 10m march back for decent from Cambuslang presented the perfect attacking set piece platform. A quick tap from Buckley had Murray hitting the line but held short. The ball was recycled to Ben Smith, who again smashed the defence but was held out, third time lucky and Murray made sure as he powered over for his first of the day. Ritchie having an excellent day off the tee converted again.

Cambuslang scored the next three tries before Ali Peterson scored a try of the season contender. A scrum free kick then more ill-discipline from Cambuslang again put the Boars in a great attacking position.

Another quick tap from Buckley had Corrie Louw charging forward, a tip to Plummer in support and then on to Smith.

As Smith was tackled, he released the ball to Peterson who spun and chipped the ball over the defence. It looked like he had over hit it, but a favourable bounce on the line and with Peterson reacting quickest, he out paced the defence for a truly magnificent try. Ritchie was again on target for the extra two points.

After the restart, a good ball steal from Murray and kick down field had the visitors panicking and a poor clearance put the Boars in another prime attacking position. From the resulting line-out, Mid Argyll were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts.

Ritchie almost squeezed through for a try of his own this time but was brought down short. As the ball was recycled, Murray took two defenders with him as he powered over for his second of the day. Once again Ritchie converted.

Cambuslang replied quickly with their final try of the game. But Mid Argyll had more to offer and had a last attack in them before the end.

From a penalty inside Mid Argyll’s own half and quick thinking from Ritchie with the kick, and Petersons chase, had the visitors pinned on their own 5m line. An infringement then gave the Boars a penalty and the Cambuslang fly half had a yellow card. A tap and go saw play switch across the pitch but the defence held firm.

The ball was recycled and reversed across the posts where it found Santo Pia who drove over for his second in two games. This time Ali Peterson took on the kicking duties converting for the extra two, in his last game before he retires from senior rugby. 

There was only enough time to restart before the ref blew for full time. The game ended 42-78.

Mid Argyll’s  Fyne Ales player of the match was Ben Smith.

A spokesperson for the club said: "A big thank you from the team to Corrie Louw, Luke Plummer and Cammy Crowe from Oban Lorne RFC for joining the Boars last week.

"Thanks to everyone who has been involved with the team, Maggie for her cooking and the council groundsmen for keeping the team playing at every opportunity. Having such a big home support at every game is great for the players, they hope to see you all again in August. Lastly thanks to Ali Peterson for all his hard work and travelling over the last three years. He will be sorely missed next season.

"It’s been a long season for Mid Argyll, but they finished second bottom and remain in West 2 for the 26/27 season. If they can keep this standard of attacking performance, show more consistency in defence, they will fare much better in this league next season."