Birkmyre fall to league defeat at home to Strathendrick

The visitors led by only 13-3 at half-time, but three tries in the final 10 minutes took the game away from the Kilmacolm side.

The opening period was very tight with possession shared evenly for the first quarter. However, Strathendrick did look the more likely to score, and on the 15th minute, they ran in the first of their six scores: having pressured in the Birkmyre 22, they pounced to score direct from a scrum five metres out.

League leaders Strathendrick had too much in the tank for Birkmyre on Saturday. (Image: Fiona Wallace) Birkmyre, however, closed the gap only a couple of minutes later when skipper, Ross Moglia, slotted over a penalty from in front of the posts.

The game remained fairly even for the next period with play moving to both ends of the pitch. However, the Fintry side extended their lead on the 29th minute after a period of sustained pressure saw them work the ball wide to score near the corner.

Shortly before the half, Birkmyre gave away a soft penalty and Strathendrick opted for the three points; the favour was then returned just before the whistle, however, Birkmyre’s kick slipped wide.

Birkmyre's forwards mount a double attack on a Strathendrick opponent. (Image: Fiona Wallace) Birkmyre were optimistic they could turn the deficit around, but shipped a further three points only three minutes after the restart.

But the home side's hopes were given a boost when a yellow card saw the visitors temporarily reduced to 14 players; Birkmyre grasped that opportunity and, using their forwards, rumbled down the pitch and eventually Liam Nicholas powered over the line from close range.

Moglia converted to reduce the visitors' advantage to 14 points, but the momentum proved to be short-lived for the home side as Strathendrick replied with a further try of their own four minutes later.

The game was closer than Strathendrick's eventual 30-point margin of victory might suggest. (Image: Fiona Wallace) Strathendrick ran in three tries in the last 10 minutes to stay top of the West 2 table. (Image: Fiona Wallace) Birkmyre remained in contention, but they were struggling to break down a tough defence, and by the 70th minute the scoreboard had still not moved any further.

But with the clock ticking down, Strathendrick scored their fourth try to end the match as a contest, and with the game slipping away from the hosts, Birkmyre lost two more tries before the final whistle.

The result leaves Birkmyre in eighth place in the West 2 standings, and facing a potentially pivotal game next time out away to a Cumbernauld side who lie one place below them in the table.

Kick-off at Auchenkilns on Saturday, September 28 is at 3pm.