Under-18s go down to Stewartry

OBAN Lorne’s U18 side welcomed Stewartry RFC to North Connel on Saturday in what was Oban’s fourth fixture of the 2017/18 season.

The Oban team have improved with every game this season and recorded an impressive 12-12 draw at Newton Stewart last weekend.

Despite a number of unavailable players due to the school holidays, Oban still fielded a strong team with the game being played at 13-a-side to match Stewartry’s numbers in keeping with the spirit of the game.

Oban made a rusty start to the game and found themselves 5-0 down after five minutes of play. The hosts failed to gather the kick-off and found themselves under increasing pressure near their line where the visitors eventually ran over for the first try of the game.

From the restart, Oban enjoyed their first possession of the day and were looking very dangerous in attack with good runs from Lorne Sinclair, Ewan Shearer and Angus Harris MacLeod. After a period of pressure on the line centre David Cameron crashed over for a well-worked try with Andrew Ritchie’s conversion giving a 7-5 lead.

Oban were on top at this stage in the game and extended their lead with stand-off Ben MacFarlane Barrow touching down for Oban’s second try. Another Ritchie conversion gave a 14-5 lead.

Both sides played out a physical end of the first half as Stewartry responded with a try to narrow the score to 14-10.

Oban struggled to keep hold of the ball in the second half and were forced to defend time after time as Stewartry held most of the ball and territory in the game.

Lorne Sinclair was forced off the pitch with 20 minutes remaining with a head knock meaning Oban lost one of their most prominent ball carriers for the closing stages of the game. A couple of try-saving tackles were made by fullback Andrew Ritchie and winger Sean Gordon as Stewartry pressed for another score.

Stewartry’s dominance with possession eventually took hold as they scored two further tries to lead 22-14. Oban did push hard late on with a Brych Hensman Martin try being disallowed as the winger was bundled into touch just before touching the ball down.

Despite a 22-14 defeat, Oban had played well for the most part, particularly in defence and were led well by captain Kieron Morrison.

Oban U18s have a week’s rest from league duty before they take on Bishopton away from home on October 21 .

Oban Lorn girls’ shinty team have been sponsored by Hazel Aitkenhead and Cameron Douglas, who have just started their new venture at Strathnaver Guest House on the Bealach an Righ, Oban. Pictured are the girls in their new training tops.