Lochaber swept aside by league leaders in 60-point victory
Wigtownshire Lochaber
BT West Division 3 68 8
LOCHABER succumbed to a heavy 60-point defeat away to league leaders Wigtownshire on Saturday in what was their first game in over a month.
Lochaber could, however, take encouragement from their 25-11 win over Wigtownshire back in September, inflicting their only defeat of the season. But the visitors knew they were in for a tough match with Wigtownshire having won 73-0 and 57-0 in their last two fixtures and had only conceded 59 points in 11 games prior to this match.
It wasn’t long before Wigtownshire showed why they are the top of the table when they used their big forward pack to crash through for their opening try. It was a tough first 25 minutes for Lochaber, who never had any real possession apart from on the odd occasion being able to turn Wigtownshire over and clear their lines.
At 15-0 down Lochaber were in Wigtownshire’s 22 for the first time in the match when they were awarded a penalty which Jonathan McCook kicked to get some points on the board. However, Wigtownshire responded with more tries.
At around the 25-minute mark Lochaber turned the ball over and kicked for territory but two Wigtownshire players went to catch the ball and there was a nasty clash of heads with one of the players being knocked out after breaking his jaw. Play stopped for around 15-20 minutes while the paramedics dealt with the injury.
Play resumed with a Lochaber scrum just inside Wigtownshire’s 22. From that set play Lochaber received a penalty 10 metres out and decided to run it. The ball was given to captain Callum MacDonald, who was stopped inches short of the line but the ball was recycled quickly out to the right wing where No 8 Conor Taylor was waiting. Taylor couldn’t be stopped from such a close range making that his third try in three games.
The try gave Lochaber a lot of confidence going into half time and it showed in the second half. James Lucas continued to disrupt Wigtownshire’s lineout which gave Lochaber more and more attacking opportunities. But time and time again they couldn’t find a way through Wigtownshire’s defence.
The second half was very balanced until the last 10 minutes where Lochaber started to fall away and Wigtownshire took full advantage and added to the score line with a few more quick tries.
The final score finished Wigtownshire 68-8 Lochaber, a win that extends the Stranraer club’s lead at the top of the table to eight points.
Lochaber sit comfortably at mid-table in fifth position. The Banavie side travel to Hyndland next Saturday as they look for their first away win of the season.