Birkmyre defeat Uddingston for back-to-back away wins

The visitors took an early lead in only the sixth minute when winger Ross McDonnell received the ball on the touchline 40 metres out and danced his way past defenders to score in the corner, David Cruickshank narrowly missing the conversion.

Birkmyre climbed to fifth in West 2 with victory away to Uddingston. (Image: Fiona Wallace) Uddingston levelled 12 minutes later in controversial circumstances after the referee failed to penalise the home side for a tackle round the neck on winger Archie Hopley and instead awarded a penalty to the home side, who drove over from the 'tap and go' to score through Josh McPhail.

The visitors, though, quickly rallied and were back in front when Ross Adam powered over from close range: from a lineout on the left, the ball was worked across the pitch before the forwards took charge and set up the score just right of the posts.

Cruickshank converted, and Birkmyre's seven-point lead was then extended to 14 when skipper Ross Moglia intercepted a pass on the opposition 22 and ran in unopposed for a converted score.

The Kilmacolm side ran in six tries in the thrilling West 2 clash. (Image: Fiona Wallace) Uddingston's second unconverted try of the match just before half-time, courtesy of Jamie McPherson, reduced the Bears' interval lead to 19-10, and the home side made the most of their bright start to the second half when they worked the ball wide four minutes after the restart, setting up William Irvine to score in the corner.

Birkmyre, however, replied 10 minutes later; from a lineout at close range the pack rumbled towards the line before veteran Martyn Whyte dived over from a couple of feet out to secure the try bonus.

Uddingston reduced the leeway when Ru West scored their fourth of the day on 62 minutes, ensuring a try bonus point of their own, though not before Birkmyre had what they thought was their fifth try disallowed for a forward pass which video review later showed was legal.

Birkmyre withstood a second-half onslaught from their hosts to chalk up a well-deserved win in Lanarkshire. (Image: Fiona Wallace) But there was no such doubt about the move straight from the kick-off after Uddingston's score which set up Moglia for his second of the day, collecting a pop pass 25 metres out and weaving his way past two defenders to score.

Uddingston scored again with nine minutes remaining, this time through Corey Galloway, reducing Birkmyre's lead to 33-29 and setting up a nailbiting finish.

And the Bears found themselves under a great deal of pressure as the hosts pushed forward in a bid to take the lead for the first time in the match, but Birkmyre weathered the storm and staged a break of their own to win a penalty 40 metres out.

Birkmyre charged their way to a third successive league win. (Image: Fiona Wallace) The visitors opted to kick at goal to extend their lead, but Cruickshank's kick, though accurate, fell three metres short.

Uddingston ran the ball out but dropped it on their own 22, and Birkmyre seized possession and charged towards the try line; eventually, after some sustained pressure, Robbie Espie smashed through from three metres out to seal the victory.

The win sets up Birkmyre perfectly for this Saturday's home match against a Waysiders Drumpellier side who sit one spot above the Bears in the league table.

All was smiles in the Birkmyre camp after their hard-earned win. (Image: Fiona Wallace) Scorers: Tries: R. Moglia (2), R. Espie, R. Adam, R. McDonnell, M. Whyte. Conversions: D Cruickshank (5).