Boars fail to halt Irvine’s bulldozing Large crowd gathers for Mid Argyll RFC’s final home game of the season
14 24
Last week Mid Argyll took on league leaders Irvine RFC in their last home game of a long season.
But with a full squad available, this promised to be an exciting encounter.
Irvine needed a bonus point win and a huge score to ensure they won the league and held off second-placed Birkmyre RFC.
The game started with the Boars on the attack and using all their skills, changing from forwards to backs, that they have shown all season.
When they got into the visitors’ five-metre area, there was only going to be one outcome when David MacArthur gathered the ball and forced his way over the white wash for the opening try of the game.
Murray MacDonald, on his return to first team action, slotted over the extra two for Mid Argyll to lead 7-0.
Irvine fought their way back but an outstanding defensive performance left the visitors frustrated as attack after attack was turned away.
Eventually Irvine found the break through they needed with a slow rumbling push across the line and a conversion followed.
This was the game plan that Irvine have used all year to great effect and while it is not very entertaining for the large crowd that had gathered to watch at the Ropework Park, it is the reason Irvine have gained promotion this year.
Another score from the visitors didn’t really tell the story of the first half as Mid Argyll tried to play fast-passing rugby, but when the half time whistle blew Irvine were leading 7-12.
The second half started as the first had with the Boars piling on all the pressure but time after time the referee penalised the attack and Irvine could breath again.
It was now Irvine’s turn to attack and again they used the tried and tested maul and scrum approach.
It paid off twice in that half with one conversion leaving the visitors with lead and the bonus point they had been
Mid Argyll power through Irvine’s defence.
looking for. Mid Argyll weren’t finished though, and as the clock ticked down they mounted one last attack.
Quick hands through the backs had Irvine stretched from side to side and as they tired, Mid Argyll took advantage and played them at their own game to power over again from close range.
This time Matt Peden was
the scorer; also on his return from injury. Again MacDonald added the extras as the ref blew for full time with the score at 14-24.
Irvine had the points they needed but Mid Argyll made them fight every inch of the way for it.
The Irvine coach commented afterwards that this was the most physical contest anyone had given them all year and that is something the Boars team can take into next season with confidence.
An outstanding performance from scrum half Elliot Lindsay saw him get his first man of the match award of the season.
The Boars have only one game left now before their season ends, an away fixture on Saturday April 27 against Lanark, who are languishing at the bottom of the table.
Everyone at the club would like to thank all the home support this season, it has been great to see such big numbers at every game and they would like to thank again the Argyll and Bute Council team that prepare the Ropework perfectly.
The squad have their awards night coming up, then preparations start for next season.