Clydebank 2nd XV scored 6 tries in a dominating performance away from home against Strathendrick. The 2011/12 season was one littered with great wins and tries galore for Clydebank’s seconds, but this season has seen them on the back foot and receiving defeats far too often. So the boys from the Bank will take great pleasure from a game where they were dominant across the match, and most importantly were dominant in the scoreline.
Most of the first 40 minutes were played in the Strathendrick half with the visitors piling on the pressure. Inside centre Bell thought he had the first score of the game when he broke the gain line and dived over the line only to drop the ball on the line knocking the ball forward. At this there was a fear that Clydebank may fall into old bad habits of failing to convert chances commonly known as 'white line fever', however today this would not be the case. Openside flanker Ronnie McKee scored the first try of the game with his 'Can't Stop Me Now' style, bumping of would-be tacklers before touching down near the posts for stand-off Liam Patton to convert.
Four tries equals a bonus point and Clydebank secured this just before half time. The second try was a superb catch and drive from the line out driven twenty yards to the whitewash. After much deliberation between hooker Paul Andrew and 2nd row Peter Watson and after consulting with the TMO the score was awarded to Watson. The backline managed to do something they haven’t done enough of this season and that is get the ball flowing through the hands and out to the wide men with pace. By spreading the ball out wide this gave Bell a great opportunity to cut inside and he got the visitors third try of the match, which Patton converted.
The bonus point was secured with the 4th try scored by Peter Watson. Clydebanks line out was successful for most of the game but with one on the 36th minute Strathendrick stole the ball back but unfortunately for them the ball fell to the ground and they couldn't control it. Peter got onto the ball first and touched the ball down to make the score 24-0 going into half time.
While it is often easy to single out the try scorers for praise, the work of others across the squad is where the strength of the team lies. No Clydebank player had a bad performance but the younger players stood out by their determination and spirit over the 80 minutes. Jack Burgoyne playing his first full senior game showed his strength and enthusiasm to beat players, while 2nd row Ryan Hicks also shone across the piece. In the second half the tempo slipped slightly and the home team scored a well worked try with their inside centre touching the ball down under the posts. Indiscipline pushed back Clydebank too many times allowing Endrick chances to claw back some points. However the defence held firm and Bell and McKee scored two more tries to put the win beyond doubt. With the result secure the Clydebank substitutes had plenty of game time to put in a performance worthy of a start next week against Paisley.