Secondhalfshowrestores prideforBannockburn
BANNOCKBURN RFC ...... 16 DUNDEE RUGBY .............. 31
Bannockburn battled hard but succumbed to a handy Dundee Rugby 2nd XV at Bluebellwood on Saturday.
In a close match with healthy support for both teams, it was Dundee who came away with the spoils after a commanding first half display.
The home side started with promise, putting their own mark on the game and keeping possession well but it was Dundee who scored the first try of the match, making use of their pacy backs to break through the Bannockburn defence and score under the posts.
The Dundee men were quick and technically sound, and used this to their advantage – scoring another three unanswered tries to go in at the break with a 26-6 lead over Bannockburn.
The visitors increased their lead after some pressure but Bannockburn fought hard with some solid rucking and scrummaging on display against a well-drilled side.
And their patience and discipline would pay off before full-time with the talented Fin MacCuish scoring a well-taken try that every prop would dream of.
On Saturday, Bannockburn are away to Grangemouth 2s in another Tennent’s Caledonia Midlands Region League Division 3 match with an early 12.30pm kick-off.
Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s squash teams will once again be sponsored by The Birds and Bees pub and restaurant in Stirling.
In a major boost for the Minewood sporting institution, which had seen the sport wiped out competitively by Covid for almost 18 months, the renewal of the four-figure patronage has provided a great start to the new season.
It has also insured that Scotland No.4 Fergus Richard’s services have been secured for an East Division One campaign which started on a hugely positive footing with a 5-0 thrashing of Edinburgh Sports Club’s thirds at home last Thursday.
Club president Stewart Penman is delighted with the renewal of a sponsorship deal, which was first realised in season 2019/20.
He said: “It is very exciting to restart our relationship with The Birds and Bees following an the suspension of team squash. The Birds and Bees are a fantastic local business who align with our own club culture of respect, excellence, fair play, inclusion and community.
“Their support of the club and the squash teams in particular is greatly appreciated. Team squash is an important aspect of the squash offering at Bridge of Allan and provides an opportunity for members of all abilities to play squash in a competitive, welcoming and social environment.”
Birds and Bees general manager Danny McKenna was also delighted to renew the deal: “We have always been keen to play a part as a community centred business in backing the community that we serve and we are delighted to renew our sponsorship of Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s squash teams in this respect.
“We wish the squash teams a successful season and of course it will be great to see them sporting our stateof-the-art logoed kit in clubs across the East of Scotland on the competitive squash court.”
On the court first team captain Robin Bairner admits that the trip to ESC1 tonight (Wednesday) will provide an early season acid test of his team’s title hopes.
He said: “The boys were superb last week in our victory and in particular it was great to see Fergus Richards back leading the side at the top of the order, see the progress made by young Kyle Penman and also enjoy an exceptional performance from James Dougan.
“What was also great was that several club members made the effort to support the team and that was much appreciated but now we face a real test of any hopes we have of making a real challenge for the title at ESC1.
“There is no doubt that only our best will suffice.”
Meanwhile the ladies team will finally get their season underway with a home bow against Edinburgh University while the men’s thirds travel to ESC5 tomorrow (Thursday) for an East Division Two fixture which will provide a pointer of their hopes for a prolonged stay in the second tier.
The seconds will host ESC4 at Minewood tonight (Wednesday) looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Grange 3.