Endrick win keeps challenge alive

Strathendrick comfortably overcame Cumbernauld 45-10 with an impressive performance in the BT West Division 2.

Prior to Saturday’s encounter Endrick were in fourth place, a few points behind Paisley, Lenzie and Cumnock with games in hand over all three.

Of the four title challenges, Endrick appeared to have the toughest fixture, with Cumbernauld occupying a top-half position.

And they did not get off to the start intended when in seven minutes an offside decision gave them a kick at goal, putting them 3-0 ahead.

That turned out to be the jolt the hosts needed and they took the game into the visitors’ half straight away. In 13 minutes they drove a 5m scrum over and Ewan MacKay touched down for the opening try, converted by Kyle Campbell.

MacKay scored another ten minutes later and his hattrick followed shortly after, again from a pushover.

Endrick added two more tries before the break. Angus North scored with a typical run from his own half before a less flamboyant contribution from Tim Moore.

Campbell’s four conversions throughout the opening period ensured the hosts held a comfortable 30-point lead at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Endrick notched their sixth try when Shammy Ogilvy collected the ball in his own half and broke through several tackles before dotting down with an opponent still draped around his shoulders.

The game was now being played with non-contested scrums and some sparkle had left the encounter before Fraser Graham took Endrick’s try count to seven and Cumbernauld completed the scoring with a consolation try.

Endrick are away to Waysider-Drumpellier this weekend.

Strathendrick: B Anderson; L Pretorius, F Graham, A North, G Black; K Campbell, R Doyle, C Gibson, D McEachern, M Scott, M Calderwood, T Moore, J Ogilvy, A Nixon and E MacKay. Repl: M O’Connell, R McKay, G Gourlie, A McDonald and J Eckersley.