Positive overtures from Lorne after 18-12 win
Having defeated the top two teams in the league over the past two weeks, Oban Lorne RFC travel to Paisley this weekend looking to keep their winning run in motion.
Now sitting in fourth place in the West League Division Two table, with two games in hand over leaders Strathaven, the Green Machine are in a very healthy position. But, with only a single point separating his team and this weekend’s opponents, coach Andrew Johnston knows that the trip to Anchor Recreation Grounds will result in a tough test.
‘This will be no easy game and the Green Machine will have to bring their A game to ensure they come away with something,’ he said.
‘Again a consistency in selection will be key to maintaining the recent run of form.’
Last weekend Oban welcomed the league leaders to Glencruitten for their first meeting of the season. The pitch was in excellent condition with only a couple of minor issues given the amount of water that had fallen during the week.
Oban were in confident mood with a full squad that remained relatively unchanged from the previous weekend’s great away victory at Cumnock.
Strathaven started the game well showing exactly why they are sitting top of the table. They were very slick and well organised and accurate in their attack which ultimately led to an early try for the visitors.
Oban worked hard to get back into the game but every time they managed to get into good position they made vital errors. The lineout wasn’t functioning at all well with a number of opportunities to build pressure thwarted by timing issues.
Oban eventually got back into the game when a great carry from Stephen Povey built a platform to attack from. With good quick recycled ball, Ferg McCoss found a great line before sidestepping the last defender to score under the posts. Half time score: 7-7.
With some words of advice from the coaching team looking for more discipline and more accuracy, Oban started to make the improvements required after the restart, leading to a brace of successful penalty kicks by Vasil Borisov.
Strathaven came right back into the game and were rewarded with another try which was unconverted to leave Oban with a single-point lead.
With 20 minutes to go Oban started to string some phases of play together but the main difference was their defence.
The ability to get up off the floor and back in the game always meant there was a body there to make the next tackle.
This defensive pressure was what led to the final score of the game. Borisov got off the line fast, an attempted clearance was charged down and regathered by Borisov who scored out in the corner to seal an 18-12 victory.
Oban’s next home game is on Saturday February 1 against fellow title challengers Dalziel.