BIRKMYRE went down to a narrow four-point defeat on Saturday away to Lomond Helensburgh.

Both sides did well to serve up some entertainment in atrocious conditions with the home side taking the spoils 28:24.

Birkmyre were under the cosh from the off and struggled to get any possession in the first 10 minutes. Despite the pressure, their defence was holding strong and Helensburgh were struggling to penetrate. However, in the 12th minute, the defence finally gave way. From a line-out seven metres out, the home side mauled. They then released the ball and forced over for the converted score.

It took a while for Birkmyre to draw level. In the 27th minute, they had progressed deep into opposition territory, and, having won a penalty five metres out, they chose to run. The first phase was stopped, but, in the second phase, prop Kieran McNichol drove over for the score. David Cruickshank converted a very tricky kick.

At the score, Helensburgh were penalised for back chat therefore Birkmyre were able to kick the ball back down field from the kick-off. Despite possession changing hands a few times, Birkmyre remained camped in the Helensburgh half. Again, they won a penalty close to the line and this time Ali Dickson used his strength to get the ball touched down. This time the conversion went wide.

A couple of minutes before half time, Helensburgh got their second score. They ran back a clearance kick and, aided by a couple of missed tackles, they scored under the posts to go in 14-12 up.

Birkmyre retook the lead from the second-half kick-off. Cruickshank kicked long into the opposition 22 where the ball was knocked on. It was collected by an offside player, so a penalty was awarded. Birkmyre chose to run and, after a few phases, the ball went wide to Michael McGeoch who dived in at the corner. Cruickshank converted another tricky one from the touchline.
Helensburgh then managed a short period of dominance and ran in a score in the 47th minute and again in the 52nd minute.

Birkmyre were far from out of the match and, in the 57th minute, they scored their fourth try. Birkmyre broke from their own 22 off a scrum and powered into the Helensburgh half. The ball went wide right to Jonny Davidson. He sprinted down the line before chipping it through. It looked like a defender would clear however he dived past the ball allowing Davidson in for the try. This time the conditions were too much for Cruickshank with near horizontal rain.

With only a four-point deficit, confidence was still high that Birkmyre could take full points however they were unable to penetrate the defence, combined with some handling errors. In the 83rd minute Helensburgh had the chance to put the game to bed. Having won a penalty 25 metres out in front of the posts, they chose to kick. With a 100 per cent strike rate on the day, it looked like a regulation one. However, affected by the wild wind and rain, the ball slipped wide, opening the door once again for the visitors.

Despite the lifeline, Birkmyre were unable to capitalise. In the final minute they thought they had won a penalty for the home side sealing off, however play went on and Helensburgh were able to scramble the ball off the pitch as the clock went red.

Birkmyre’s next fixture is on Saturday 28th November, away to Irvine.