Lochaber pipped at the post
BT Caledonia 2NW LOCHABER rugby club hosted Deeside last Saturday and with Lochaber still chasing their first league win of the season they were targeting this game to get that first win.
Deeside were once again the first to open the scoring and after prolonged pressure they won a penalty which was taken quickly enabling them to crash over the line to open the scoring.
Lochaber were again able to control the scrum and on Deeside’s ball put them under real pressure. Lochaber’s lineouts were going well and they were able to steal some ball from the lineout as well.
Lochaber opened up their account when Christopher Simpson crashed over in the corner and, with Jonathan McCook converting the try, the score was 7-7.
Deeside fought back but the Lochaber defence held time after time and although Deeside crossed the line several times Lochaber were able to hold the ball up denying the tries. Lochaber were then able to convert that defence into attack.
From being on their own five metres line they were suddenly at the other end of the park where Callum Boyd managed to cut through the Deeside defence to get Lochaber’s second try and, with McCook converting it, brought the score to 14-7 just before half time. In the second half Deeside were able to get their second try just after Lochaber had a player sinbinned for 10 minutes. But their kicker managed to slice the conversion from right in front of the posts to bring the score to 14-12.
Deeside were able to work their way downfield where they won a penalty. This time their fly half made up for the missed conversion by scoring the penalty to give Deeside the lead 1415. Lochaber worked their way down the pitch and continued to dominate the Deeside scrum despite being a man down in the scrum. The hard work paid off and they were awarded a penalty near the Deeside line after the referee sent off the wrong player from Deeside after a high tackle.
The offence was committed by their fly half but a prop was sent off with nine minutes remaining. McCook scored the penalty to give Lochaber the lead again and make the score 17-15.
Deeside came on the attack desperate to get another score to win the game and with only seconds remaining after stout defending Lochaber looked to have won the ball back after the Deeside scrum half lost control of the ball and dropped it forward right in front of the referee.
With the ball rolling forwards from the drop, the referee waved play on and Deeside recovered the ball and in the next phase Lochaber received their second yellow card for a high tackle. With the last kick of the game, the Deeside fly half, who should have been in the sin bin, kicked the resulting penalty to win the game 17-18. Rugby
Lochaber now face a tough trip away to Ellon this Saturday before finishing their season at home to Shetland on Saturday April 22.