No shame in fifth league defeat

Craig Ritchie

Paisley suffered just their fifth league defeat of the season after a physical encounter at The Anchor versus Strathendrick.

The visitors had only lost two games so far this season, so Paisley knew before kick-off that this was going to be a real challenge to come out on top.

But after just five minutes, Strathendrick got the ball wide before smart backs play resulted in a try under the posts, which was converted to give the visitors an early 0-7 lead.

Unfortunately for Paisley, they soon fell further behind when the visitors converted a penalty on their next visit in to the 22 after the try, increasing the lead to 0-10.

Strathendrick were setting a high intensity for the home side, but after 10 minutes, Paisley found their rhythm and were awarded a penalty on their first visit in to enemy territory.

Jamie Murchie slotted the ball through the posts to cut the deficit to 3-10.

Strathendrick were next to benefit from a penalty award and regained their 10-point advantage.

Paisley again benefitted from a penalty award on their next visit to Strathendrick territory, but this time Murchie was unable to convert.

Keen to make amends, Murchie was soon back scoring points but this time from ball in hand.

The stand-in stand-off saw a gap behind the Strathendrick defence and cheekily chipped the ball behind them. A favourable bounce saw the ball pop up in to Munchie’s hands and he was able to score an excellent solo try.

Grant Berry took over kicking duties for the conversion but didn’t quite find his range at the first attempt, leaving the score at 8-13.

Strathendrick were quick to increase the gap to more than a converted try once more after being awarded yet another penalty on the next attack.

After the break, Paisley were able to cut the deficit through a penalty converted by Grant Berry to make it 11-16.

Paisley found themselves with an excellent chance to level the scores with a try from five-metres out.

Unfortunately, the ball didn’t make it back to Paisley hands after number eight, David McKelvie, made a dash for the line off the back of the scrum and the ball was turned over.

After cover tackles stopped the initial counter, the ball was shipped to the other side of the pitch. A few missed tackles later, the try was scored.

Grant Berry was able to convert two penalties in fairly quick succession and Paisley were back within touching distance with the score at 17-23.

And the final 10 minutes was a real battle as both sides struggled to stay in the referee’s good books.

But it finished 17-23 and, despite the bitter disappointment, Paisley can be proud of the huge effort they put in against probably the strongest team they’ve faced all season.