The game was played in 3, 15 minute periods.
Loch Lomond won the toss, and opted to kick, and were playing into the wind in the first half. From the kick off, Lomond put Ardrossan under pressure, and Lomond player Patrick managed to secure the restart. From this, Lomond caught Ardrossan sleeping, and put the ball through their hands, allowing Archie to score his first try in a Lomond top. The conversion was wide of the posts.
From the restart, Ardrossan used their bigger players to carry the ball into Lomond’s forwards, with Lomond forcing the turnover at a ruck, and managing to get the ball out to crazy legs Patrick, who ran half the length of the park to score. Minimunn added an extra 2 points with the conversion.
Ardrossan then got the ball to their speedy winger, who made ground, and at Lomond’s 22 he was finally brought down and stripped of the ball. Lomond used quick thinking to get the ball out wide to Minimunn who dodged through 4 players, scoring below the posts. He then added the conversion.
After a period of sustained pressure from Ardrossan, Lomond’s defence held strong, with Ardrossan finally knocking the ball on. The forwards did well securing the ball from the scrum, allowing Archie to clear their lines and with a lucky bounce of the ball Patrick caught the ball. He was caught in a 2 on 1 situation and off-loaded the ball to Minimunn to score his second try of the day. He then kicked the conversion.
After a well earned break, Lomond took to the park, this time with the wind behind them. Ardrossan started strongly, using their big forwards to batter through the Lomond defence, but eventually AK and Tibbs held up the Ardrossan player short of the line, stopping him from scoring a try. From the restart scrum, Ardrossan won the ball back, and some excellent tackling from Kieran and Jay bundled Ardrossan into touch, giving the Lomond players some respite from the Ardrossan attack. From the lineout, Lomond secured the ball, and chose to run it this time. It proved a good decision, as the passage of play which followed showed Lomond at their best, with quick off-loads, strong rucking and good support play resulting in Lomond taking the play up into Ardrossan’s 22 for the first time in this period. From another lineout, the forwards worked hard, with Mackenzie, Sean and Will linking well together, with Will ending up scoring a great team try. The conversion was missed.
Lomond then upped their game and tackled hard, eventually winning the ball from a ruck and Patrick throwing a brilliant long pass to Tripney, who moved the ball quickly to Minimunn to score under the posts. Tripney added 2 points from the conversion.
This ended the second period. Lomond players were feeling the heat, as recently they have been more used to playing in rain and bitterly cold conditions!
A small lapse in concentration from Lomond at the start of the third period, allowed Ardrossan to get up to Lomond’s 22 where they were halted. They eventually found a gap in the Lomond defence, and scored a well deserved try in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Lomond then struck back with good handling skills, allowing AK to crash through 2 defenders to score. The conversion was missed.
Lomond continued pushing, but Ardrossan held firm, and won the ball, making good use of an overlap, getting the ball to their fast winger and despite Lomond players chasing hard, the Ardrossan player made it to the line and scored. The then secured the conversion.
In one last burst, Lomond used their off-loading skills to round off the day with a perfect team try, with Minimunn scoring. The conversion was missed.
This was a super game, and was thoroughly enjoyed by both teams and their supporters. Excellent fair play was on display throughout, with the supporters cheering on the rugby skills of both teams.
This was the club’s first fixture with Ardrossan, and the team and coach appreciated the warm welcome they received from coaches, players and supporters. The whole day was a tremendous example of how youth rugby should be enjoyed.
The whole team adapted well to the bigger pitch and the different laws of the game they follow at this age, such as hand-offs and targeting the ball. This is an excellent squad of young players, who show great potential for the future, and we will hopefully build of this success by attracting new players to play alongside them at the club.

Training for the P7-S4 players is every Wednesday from 7-8pm and Sundays from 12-1pm at the club.

Next Sunday, 14th June, is Loch Lomond Mini Rugby Festival at the Dillichip, starting at 12 noon. 7 clubs will be attending as well as our own teams, and this promises to be an excellent day, celebrating mini rugby. There will be games at all age groups, as well as fun activities for all the family to enjoy. Everyone is welcome to come along.