Birkmyre secure promotion and aim for championship
Brilliant Birkmyre took another step towards the title by demolishing Lanark and Clydesdale 74-12 on Saturday.
The Bears had already secured promotion after Glasgow University Medics withdrew from West Region League Division Three due to failing to fulfil too many fixtures.
As a result, the standings were recalculated which guaranteed the Kilmacolm side second place and promotion – with the championship now the target.
In a similar vein to Birkmyre’s last match, this game was all but over after 15 minutes with the Bears racing into a 24-point lead which was then was extended to 48 points at the half.
It only took five minutes for Birkmyre scrum-half Tom McGeoch to opening the scoring, darting over from short distance.
Lewis Higgins, on kicking duties in the absence of David Cruickshank, slotted over the conversion.
That lead was quickly extended by Gordon Stein.
Taking a quick tap penalty, he caught the home defence napping to power through a few tackles and run in from 25 metres out.
Higgins grabbed the first of his two tries which was quickly followed by a score from winger Jamie Haran.
Higgins then scored his second before Ali Peacock and Ross McDonnell added to the tally.
The half was rounded off by a great individual score by skipper Ross Moglia a minute before the whistle.
Lanark and Clydesdale were attacking and had made it into the Birkmyre 22 for the first time.
However, before they could convert what was a promising attack, Moglia intercepted a pass and was able to run the length of the pitch unopposed to score under the posts.
The second half was a more balanced affair and it took 15 minutes before the scoreboard ticked over when the home side ran in for their first score.
However, only two minutes later, Peacock got one back with a great solo run from 40m out.
Player/coach Craig Williams, taking over kicking duties, added the conversion.
Finlay Rayner then scored his first try for Birkmyre. The ball was worked out to the left wing and Raynor showed his explosive pace to run in for his score.
A few minutes later, Lanark and Clydesdale score their second try but, in the 75th minute, Harris McFie then scored his first try of the season for the Bears, fending off a tackler to score at the corner flag.
The scoring was finished off in the 77th minute when Robbie Espie ran in for his 10th try of the campaign.
Playing in the centre rather than the back row, he capitalised on a positive phase of play to round the game off.
The victory means that a bonuspoint win against Lochaber in the final league fixture of the season at home on Saturday, May 4, will see Birkmyre win the league.
Meanwhile, in West Two, Paisley completed their season with a 6210 defeat to Cumbernauld in North Lanarkshire.
The Anchor outfit are relegated to West Three having lost all 18 games and will be hoping to start afresh after the summer break.
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