Lochaber overpower Hyndland in second-half comeback
LOCHABER fought back from being four points down at half-time to secure their fourth win of the season thanks to a dominant scrummaging performance.
Although Hyndland had only won their first game of the season last weekend, the Glasgow side have been scoring freely this season so Lochaber knew they would be in for a tough game.
This was evident from the first whistle as Hyndland were able to recover the ball from the kick off and immediately started to test the Lochaber defence with their big ball carriers.
Lochaber’s defence held strong and after winning the ball back made their way up the pitch and were awarded with a penalty which Callum Boyd scored to give Lochaber an early lead.
From the first scrum of the game it was clear Lochaber were going to have a lot of joy when it came to scrum time after driving Hyndland back considerably. Line-outs were fairly even but after switching their front jumper Lochaber were able to put Hyndland under pressure and actually steal a few line-outs.
The first try of the game came for Hyndland. After a line-out in Lochaber’s 22, they managed to get the ball within inches of the try line and a quick pick and drive got them across the line to make it 3-7.
In the second half Hyndland got their second try of the match after a clearance kick in Lochaber’s dead ball area was charged down. A Hyndland player reacted fastest, bringing the score to 3-14 to the visitors.
Unsurprisingly, Lochaber got their first try of the game through their scrum. Hyndland had the put-in but with the dominance of the Lochaber scrum, Lochaber won the ball back. Now it was Lochaber’s put in and with the ball under control, they pushed Hyndland back from the five-metre line to give number eight Matthew Bradley an easy try touching the ball down at the back of the scrum. Centre Callum Boyd added the conversion to bring the score to 10-14.
The come-back continued with Findlay Ireland crossing the white wash yet again after Lochaber eventually managed to find a way through Hyndland’s defence, which had hitherto been strong, to make the score 15-14. And just before full time Lochaber were able to get their third try of the game.
After hitting up through the forwards on the right hand side, the ball was shipped out to John Jones on the left wing who crossed the line to increase the home side’s advantage.
The two sides saw out the remaining minutes and the full time score finished Lochaber 20-14 Hyndland.
Lochaber’s next game is away to Lanark on Saturday November 25 for a 12.30pm kick off.