Kyle keeps his cool to boot Endrick to win

Campbell clinches points with last-gasp penalty

Annan ................ 8 Strathendrick ..10

Sports reporter Kyle Campbell was the Strathendrick hero with a last-minute penalty which clinched the points in a nailbiter at Annan.

Their previous sortie in Tennent’s West Regional Division 1 saw them on the end of a 120-12 drubbing by Stewartry while last week’s match against Allan Glen’s was rained off.

It looked like the rugby gods were conspiring against them again on Saturday with the travelling Fintry side held up on their way to Annan thanks to a road accident. They arrived shortly before kick-off then discovered the bag with their shirts hadn’t been loaded on to the coach!

Annan came to their rescue with their away jerseys and Endrick were able to line up 10 minutes late looking for their first win against a side which had come out on top in their six previous meetings.

It soon became clear the sides were well matched, with both defences having the measure of their opponents.

In the closing minutes of the first half Annan finally broke the deadlock when their pressure brought a couple of penalties which were quickly taken and opened the way for some tidy handling leading to an unconverted try out on their right.

Four minutes after the restart they increased their lead with a penalty and that was the signal Endrick needed to step up the pressure.

The home defence stood firm until 57 minutes when the referee decided their tactics were not acceptable and awarded Endrick a penalty try, closing the score to 8-7.

The closing exchanges generally favoured Endrick but Annan hung on until the final minute when they conceded a penalty.

Those on the touchlines plus all players on the field of play – bar one – held their breath. And it was Campbell who kept his cool to goal his kick and give Endrick a dramatic win.

Endrick 2nds had to give up some of their players for the 1st XV fixture and could not fulfil their fixture which goes down as a 28-0 win for Annan 2nds.

On Saturday Endrick welcome Kilmarnock, while the 2nds are also at home against Hillhead/Jordanhill 2A. Both games kick off at 2pm.