Heartache for plucky Lochaber
Lochaber 14 Loch Lomond 15
West Region Division 3
After a month’s break, Lochaber RFC were back in action in a top of the conference clash at home to Loch Lomond.
Both teams were in great form after only losing one game each all season, with Lochaber’s only loss away to Loch Lomond in the first game of the season.
Lochaber were struggling for a front row for Saturday’s game, with vice-captain William Stewart and Sam Kane still injured.
And with James Young, Rory MacKay and Christopher Morrison all unavailable, Lochaber had to call in an emergency prop Joshua Ryder from Highland 2nd XV and fly-half Scottie Diack filling in at hooker.
Lochaber started well and took an early lead in the first minute through the boot of Jonathan McCook from a penalty.
Loch Lomond had a chance to level up the scores in the fifth minute but the attempted penalty hit the post and
Alan Hamilton ran it out of Lochaber’s 22.
It soon came apparent that Lochaber’s makeshift front row were having a hard time against a very solid Loch Lomond pack.
Lochaber stretched their lead with another penalty from McCook on the 23rd minute. Loch Lomond had another penalty just three minutes later but this time the kick was dragged just wide.
In the 30th minute McCook converted another penalty to make it 9-0. Lochaber looked to have scored the first try of the game in the 35th minute when the forwards worked their way into the right hand corner but as they crossed the line Loch Lomond were able to hold them up and force them into touch. A very tight first half drew to a close with Lochaber just edging it.
Ten minutes into the second half and Loch Lomond got their first points. With a scrum five meters out, they were able to push Lochaber