Lomond-Helensburgh second XV suffer last-gasp heartache

After winning the West Development League last season, Lomond-Helensburgh's first opponents on Saturday were Strathendrick, who have been in the league for a number of seasons.

The team started slowly and a couple of missed tackles had the opposition leading 14-0 after just eight minutes.

Due to the surprisingly warm weather, the referee had indicated that there would be water breaks after 20 minutes in each half.

Lomond-Helensburgh second XV (Image: Helensburgh Rugby)

It was after the first break, on the 24th minute, that the home team started to play the way they had last season, with a well worked move leading to T-Jay Lambert scoring and converting to narrow the score to 7-14.

Six minutes later, a superb crossfield kick from captain Dougie King led to T-Jay scoring near the posts; the conversion was missed, score 12-14.

As often happens when a team scores, the opposition scored immediately after, and Strathendrick picked up a converted try in the 33rd minute to make it 12-21.

L&H then returned the compliment by scoring three minutes later through a great run on his debut by number eight Jacob Kennedy-Evans; T-Jay converted, 19-21.

Unfortunately, the Lomond-Helensburgh players lost their defensive formation for a split second, allowing Strathendrick to score and convert just before half-time, making it 19-28 at the break.

Both teams were now playing some great rugby but once again it was the visitors who scored next in the 53rd minute, later missing the conversion.

The home team then upped their efforts, and for the third game in a row - including two friendlies - won the second half. With another player, Will Harrison, scoring on his seconds debut in the 55th minute and a conversion to close the score to 26-33.

Once again, a stalemate ensued with both teams playing and defending well. It took the L&H players until the 74th minute to get on equal terms with the opposition, when, after some great drives by both forwards and backs, second team stalwart George Grigg scored, with T-Jay converting to tie the scores at 33-33.

Unfortunately, with the L& H players going for the win, they were penalised, and with the last play of the game, the Strathendrick kicker kicked the penalty to seal an away win 33-36.

Second XV manager Ian MacQuire said: "The Lomond-Helensburgh players should be proud of their efforts.

"On a really warm day, they never gave in and could have won the game against a more experienced team.

"This team can score lots of points, and if the defence is tightened up, they can cause a lot of teams problems in this league."

Man of the match was another seconds player on his debut, Mike Miller.

The team's new main sponsor (Image: Helensburgh Rugby)

The second XV team's new main sponsor, Tim Lambert, and his company Abbott Risk Consulting (ARC) were presented with a framed team shirt and had photos taken with the team.