GREENOCK Wanderers produced an outstanding performance in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday to defeat Hillhead Jordanhill 31-17, writes John Dyer.

All their hard work in training gelled together at last as Wanderers showed the benefit of new coach Alex Burnie's experience with the forwards in particular as they dominated the scrum all match.

The backs also upped their game with some fine performances in what was was the nearest yet to Wanderers' best squad as they gear up for their opening league match away to Dunfermline on September 7.

The visitors played into the strong wind in the first half, and had the better start, helped by Wanderers giving away several penalties, one of which allowed the visitors to be first on the scoreboard with an unconverted try through their forwards after only three minutes.

Wanderers' scrum was dominant for long spells.Wanderers' scrum was dominant for long spells. (Image: John Dyer)

The match was being played with pace from both sides, and rucks were being fiercely contested, with some barging runs by forwards Graham, Robb and Hoodless testing the visitor's defence.

After 15 minutes Wanderers' co-captain McDaid was on hand to finish off a maul drive with a converted try to put the home side in front 7-5, though with half-time approaching the visitors had one final sortie at the hosts' line, scoring through their forwards to go back in front at 12-7.

Wanderers' backs, though, produced a fine move from their own half to send winger Storie over on the stroke of half-time, levelling the interval score at 12 apiece.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Hillhead took the lead 10 minutes after the restart, scoring in the corner after a slick handling move through their backs.

Wanderers suffered a couple of injuries, to co-captain Murray and Houston in the backs, with both having had a fine game.

Greenock turned up the pace in the second half to record a 31-17 win.Greenock turned up the pace in the second half to record a 31-17 win. (Image: John Dyer)

Strachan and Boag were the replacements, and the platform for a victory by Wanderers was finally realised when forward Campbell was driven over for a converted try that gave the hosts a 19-17 lead.

As the clock ticked into the final quarter, Wanderers were dominant in every area of the game and ran in two tries, one following a fine run from Galbraith and the other from Boag, who ran in a lovely score as the hosts saw the game out comfortably.

Elsewhere at the weekend, the ladies' first XV defeated Hillhead 12-5, while the ladies' second XV lost away to Marr, and the U14s lost 48-24 away to their GHA counterparts.

Greenock Wanderers' club sponsor is MMSEARCH. The ladies and girls are sponsored by Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.