Green Machine get back to winning ways
OBAN Lorne welcomed Argyll rivals Helensburgh RFC to Glencruitten on Saturday in what was a must-win game for the Green Machine in the battle against relegation. Helensburgh were bottom of the table on -4 points going into the game while Oban were 12 points ahead sitting in 11th. A win would narrow the gap on fellow relegation candidates Irvine and Cambuslang, who both had tough fixtures over the weekend.
Coach Corrie Louw was able to field a very strong starting XV. The only first choice players missing from action were scrumhalf Finlay Carmichael and back row Richard MacKay.
Local referee Willie Malone was in charge for the day and would have a busy afternoon ahead in a high scoring game.
The home side dominated territory and possession in the opening exchanges of the game but could not find a cutting edge to create and opening try. A Craig Wright penalty was missed after 10 minutes as Oban managed to build some good pressure near the line.
Oban’s first try came on 12 minutes as some good play in the 22 resulted in a Tommy Sutherland offload near the line finding powerful winger Calum MacLachlan who touched down with ease. Captain Wright made amends for his penalty miss by scoring a tricky conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Helensburgh improved after their shaky start and found good territory from dangerous runs by their outside centre and fullback. Connor Ferris strayed offside in the 22 allowing ’Burgh to narrow the lead to 7-3 with a penalty attempt.
Calum MacLachlan was looking very dangerous on the left wing and was attracting significant interest from a worrying defence. MacLachlan’s trademark powerful play gifted his side some good territory, eventually resulting in a five-metre scrum. Oban’s strong pack drove the ball close to the line looking certain to score. Referee Malone decided that Helensburgh had prevented a certain try by knocking the ball out of Corrie Louw’s hands and awarded Oban a penalty try, which took the score to 14-3.
Oban were well on top and scored their third try of the game after 25 minutes. David McLaughlin had a fantastic run from halfway to put Oban 21-3 ahead with another Wright conversion.
Despite being comfortably ahead, Oban were still a little rusty in some areas of play. Notably the team’s tackling was not up to sufficient standard as Helensburgh breached the gain line on too many occasions. Credit must be given to the away side who attacked well at times and hit back with their first try of the day on 30 minutes to narrow Oban’s lead to 21-10.
Craig Wright responded immediately for his team as the fullback raced in from 20 metres out after some good build-up play from a strong scrum. This sealed the bonus point try and a healthy 28-10 lead.
The Green Machine looked to add to their lead before the break but were undone with some sloppy lineout play which had in general been a negative area of the team’s performance.
Oban made a storming start to the second half and added to their tally within the first 20 second after the kick-off. Calum MacLachlan made Helensburgh pay for a lapse in defence as the winger ran in from 35 meters, giving what was now a handsome 35-10 lead.
Helensburgh, though, refused to let this dampen their spirits and hit back straight away with another well worked try narrowing the lead briefly to 35-15.
With only five minutes gone in the half the third try arrived, for Oban as stand-off Iwan Rhys Roberts scored his first try for the club. At 42-15 ahead, Oban could now relax a little, something they have not been able to do in any game so far this season.
Oban’s shaky lineout play was improving into the second half, that along with a strong scrum gave an excellent base to attack from.
Helensburgh were reduced to 14 men briefly with their fullback lying injured. Craig Wright capitalised on this by kicking into the vacant space putting pressure on the ’Burgh winger, who knocked on allowing Wright to dive over for his second score of the day.
Another try followed with prop Connor Ferris diving over from close range 54-15 to the home side.
As the half wore on, tiredness crept in. Changes were made with Andrew Johnston and Andy MacDougall coming off the bench to replace Connor Ferris and Lorne MacLachlan, while Daniel Kemp replaced Radi Maksimov. Jonathan Sayer also came on for Jack Strachan in the second row.
The quality of the game went downhill as it wore on. The majority of play was in midfield with some handling errors creeping in for both teams.
Oban scored two further tries in the closing stages to run out convincing 64-15 winners. First inside centre Jamie Bate sailed through a huge gap in the defence to score his first try since returning from injury. The last try came late on as a result of a driving maul close to the line. Player/coach Corrie Louw touched down to seal a very handsome victory for the men in Green.
Saturday’s win gives Oban five points, meaning the gap to Irvine RFC has been reduced to five points. Cambuslang are not far off, six points ahead.
Oban Lorne have games in hand on the teams above them and have a few ‘winnable’ matches coming up between now and the end of the season.
The task remains a tough one for Lorne, who this weekend welcome league leaders Carrick RFC. The teams met only two weeks ago with an understrength Oban going down 87-18.
Saturday’s game will likely be played at North Connel to give Oban Lorne Ladies the best possible pitch conditions for their National Bowl semi-final on Sunday. Kick-off is 3pm.