Paisley fall just short
Paisley Rugby Club crashed out the West Regional Shield following a heartbreaking 24-23 defeat at the hands of Clydebank.
The Buddies came up just short at Whitecrook as the Bankies escaped with a narrow win to book their spot in the next round.
Paisley got off to the best possible start as Ryan McCready crashed over the line after being played in by Ben van Eysen to score the game’s first try.
Martin McKellar’s conversion was caught in the wind but Paisley looked in control of the early goings.
The visitors remained camped out in the opposition’s half but were struggling to make their dominance count.
However, Neil Ritchie added Paisley’s second try of the afternoon with a try from close range, with McKellar this time tagging on the points to make it 12-0.
Paisley enjoyed a solid start to the second half but came up just short of a third try as the Bankies defence held firm to deny Grant Berry.
But Clydebank finally kicked into gear and handed themselves a lifeline with a try and a conversion to bring the tie back to 12-7.
Paisley continued to plug away and Paul Reid quickly restored their adavantage with a try on the right wing, although McKellar kicked wide.
He made up for it with a penalty soon after to extend the visitors’lead to 20-7. Clydebank were now rallying and another try piled the pressure back on Paisley.
A penalty try for the hosts followed soon after to bring them to within two points, with Paisley having just kicked another penalty.
A yellow card for captain Ben Frost made it a backs to the wall job and the Buddies were finally put to the sword with a last-gasp penalty.