BIRKMYRE.............................................38 BISHOPTON............................................5

Birkmyre enjoy the derby bragging rights

Bishopton suffered at the hands of Birkmyre for the second time in a month as they sustained a heavy loss on the road.

It was a return to Lochinch with Myre’s home pitch being unplayable, and much like the last encounter the opening 20 minutes saw the teams battling out a stalemate.

It was Birkmyre who were to strike first. As they gained the scrum after the Bishopton lineout was not straight, off the back of the scrum Birkmyre worked several phases before being able to crash over the line. The conversion was easily slotted.

The men in blue were quick to strike again as they received a penalty and built up play to the right- hand side before shooting the ball back to the left to score into the corner. This time the conversion drifted past the posts.

Bishopton’s luck looked set to change as the Birkmyre scrum half was sent to the bin for a late hit after the referee had stopped play.

The visitors weren’t able to take advantage of the extra man however when Birkmyre gained another penalty, which was taken quickly allowing the Myre standoff to shake off several defensive tackles before getting over the line and putting the ball down.

The conversion was good and Birkmyre extended their lead to 19–0.

The home side bagged the bonus point just before half time after a quick pick up from a tackle allowed them to run the length of the half to score.

Bishopton looked to have the better start to the second half as they came out fighting as McGowan manged to charge down a clearance and pop the ball to MacMillan, who was able to charge his way to the try line

He was held up just short as he made it to the line.

They then looked to build the phases up from the resulting scrummage and force the Birkmyre defence onto the back foot.

The gaps soon opened as Leslie was able to throw the long looping pass to Carey, who had a large gap in front of him, to collect his first senior try. The conversion came off the post to keep the score at 24–5.

Birkmyre soon found their defensive footing once more as they were able to absorb the pressure from the Bish attack.

This was exemplified through their next try as a pass was intercepted by the Birkmyre winger who was able to run in all of 70 metres to score.

The final Birkmyre try was very similar, with the ball being picked off again allowing a long run in.

The conversion was good, leaving the final score at 38-5.

The Crabbie’s Man of the Match was hooker David Moat, while the Glen Lusset Glue Player was Kyle Haldane.

Bish are back at home this Saturday, taking on Hyndland. Kick-off is 3pm.