MOVING ON UP
Handsome win sees Bishopton seal second and clinch promotion
Craig Ritchie It was all aboard the party bus as Bishopton Rugby Club sealed their promotion to the BT West Division 2 with a thumping defeat of Isle of Mull.
However, they had to do it the hard way with several players having picked up injuries in recent weeks and others not available for selection.
The game didn’t get off to the desired start as Max Catto’s kick-off didn’t break the 10-metre line and it gave Mull the advantage of the scrum to get the game underway.
This was quickly quashed as Bishopton soon got the ball back and moved fast and quickly up the pitch, quickly getting within 10 metres of the line.
The constant pressure being put on the Mull defence soon built up as a penalty was awarded, the quick tap and crash was taken and Mull still stood strong.
The visitors started to spread the ball through their backline, quickly moving across the pitch allowing for Harry Seymour to burst onto the ball at pace and hit the perfect gap in the Mull line to slide in for the opening score. Catto stepped up to slot the conversion and push Bishopton into a 0-7 lead.
Mull, however, hit back straight from the restart, the conversion was pushed wide leaving Bish with the advantage. 5-7.
Bishopton were quick to take notes on Mull’s restart and were able to turn the ball back over on the first attack.
Ruari Taylor picked up the ball before shaking off several defenders as he was able to break away and get in for his 19th try of the season.
Catto again slotted the conversion to take Bishopton to a 5-14 lead.
Another try soon followed from an uncontested scrum, with Alex Neil forcing over the line before Catto added the extras for 21-5.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts asfollowing a series of penalties they received a yellow card for a very high tackle inches before the try line.
This led to a tap penalty five metres out from the line.
Bishopton could not get through at the second attempt however, Bob Moore picked the ball up from the back of the ruck and bullied his way through three defenders to get himself and the ball over the goal line.
This gave Bishopton the bonus point and more importantly the single point that was needed to see them secure second place in the league as well as promotion.
Catto lined up his conversion attempt and was unlucky to find the crossbar, 5-26 to Bishopton.
Mull were quick to take advantage of Bishopton’s celebrations as they recovered the ball from the kick-off and were able to stride through several large gaps in the visitors’ defence. The conversion was pushed wide cutting the deficit to 10-26.
The second half started with a bustling run from Seymour gaining a huge amount of territory before Catto was able to add even more with the penalty coming.
Off the back of the line out returning, substitute Stephen Hogan was able to take advantage by blowing through the gap in the line to touch down for a try on his return. Catto again added the conversion to make it 10-33.
Straight from the kick-off, though, Bishopton won the ball back and it was again passed to Hogan who was able to glide through the Mull defence for his second of the game.
Catto again made the kick, and it was 10-40 Bishopton.
Bishopton were again on the attack from the off with several phases of moves being put into play.
But it was the dominant second row Neil that got the decisive touch of the ball as he collected 10 metres out and sealed his fourth try of the year and second of the game, by launching himself over the line.
Catto’s conversion was caught in the wind and he pulled his effort wide. Still it proved resounding victory for