Oban Lorne push Uddingston close
Oban Lorne travelled to Uddingston last weekend for another top of the table clash in West Division 2.
Uddingston have had a strong start to the season and sit in second place with Oban just below them in third position.
A fairly settled Oban team travelled with some confidence following a good home win last weekend but they knew this was going to be a tough game to win.
A few last minute changes saw a shuffle in the backline with Oban welcoming back Bulgarian international scrum half Borisow Vasil.
With Finlay Carmichael not shaking off the effects of his dental work midweek, he was moved out of position to stand off.
Oban also welcomed back number eight Owen McDonald following his twoweek suspension.
Oban started well, controlling possession and territory in the opening 10 minutes. Things were looking positive when Owen Mcdonald crossed for the first try of the game on 15 minutes after a good backline move was worked to wing and Roddy Morrison offloaded to the big number eight to crash over the line. This was converted by Craig Wright, giving Oban a 7-0 lead.
Little did Oban know this was to be the away team’s only score of the game but there was no lack of effort and opportunities.
Uddingston struck back a couple of minutes later. A knock-on from the kick-off gave them a good attacking platform and a well-worked move saw their centre break the tackle and just manage to make the try line to bring the score back to 7-5 to Oban.
Oban were becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of consistency by the referee with his interpretations changing from minute to minute. This is an area the coaching team is acutely aware of and it is looking at ways of changing the mentality of players when things are going against them.
This frustration led to Uddingston getting a series of penalties and working their way up to the Oban five-metre line. The prop then broke from the back of the ruck and was tackled short of the line but was allowed an extra movement to place the ball over the line and the referee awarded the try, much to the dismay of the Oban boys. Oban worked hard to get back in the game but were just not clicking with the fluidity of the early season. Radi Maksimov had a great run just knocked into touch a yard or so short of the line. Calum MacLachlan similarly had a great charge through the Uddingston defence and was adjudged to have been held up over the line although he was adamant he had grounded the ball.
Half time came with Uddingston enjoying a 10-7 lead. A few changes were made early in the second half with a reshuffle in the backline with Borisov moving to his normal scrum half position and Captain Iwan Roberts moving in to stand off. Craig Wright moving to 13 also brought a bit more fluidity to the Oban backline but Uddingston were to score next. Another penalty kick to touch allowed a lineout five yards out and a powerful rolling maul carried their prop over the line for a 15-7 lead.
This was to be the final score of the day. Oban huffed and puffed but just couldn’t break down the well-organised defence. This was a disappointing scoreline but an improved team performance from last week. Oban can take some comfort in pushing the top two teams in the league so close away from home in the last few weeks, losing only eight points over the two games including the 27-24 loss away to league leaders Lenzie.
Oban welcomes both teams to Glencruitten in the New Year; neither team will be relishing the trip north. Oban now have two home games, with Clydebank this weekend and Bishopton, who are just below Oban in fourth spot, visiting the following weekend. This Saturday’s match with Clydebank RFC kicks off at 3pm.