This was the first fixture of the new season, with a number of players across all age groups making their Lomond debuts.
The P1-3 played against West first, and the first half was all West possession, showing the benefits of their first game being last weekend! It took Loch the first half to find their feet and organise themselves, but once there they held their own pretty well. Dylan was a great ambassador for the P1-3's leading by example with great support from Jake and Lewis. Sadly the enthusiasm was not enough and the game ended with a West win. The next match against West was not as one sided, and newcomer Andrew played his socks off, straight up on the tackles and bagging a couple of tries. Xander put in a couple of good runs up park with Cameron supporting the play. A great team effort finishing with a score not reflecting the hard work put in, 8-5 win to West. Well done to all the players. There’s a lot to work on but a good start!

The P4 team faced their first ever competitive full contact game. Fielding 9 players with a small squad full of only P4 players, this game was going to throw some challenges their way.
First off was West A side and from the whistle the players were still thinking of the touch game played last season. On the second restart the penny must have dropped, as the attacking rugby started to flow, which was a real pleasure to watch. Jocko in this match was in his element, with strong running, breaking through the gain line to score numerous tries. Against a larger side losing 8-6 was a great result.
Next was West B side and all of our small players were throwing their bodies in the lines and making unbelievable tackles. Rucking and counter rucking for the first time were showing signs of real potential. Minimunn proved this by winning ball from his own try line and running the full pitch, passing to Sammy who scored. Score line was a tight 8-7 loss, and the game could of went either way.
Last up were Stirling County and this was the toughest game against the largest side. The red, black and whites were running great line with the unnoticed regular handoffs allowing 3 early tries. With the whippet boy Michael side stepping like a kangaroo past the county team, the Lomond players were back in this high action match. 3-3 at half time and signs of weary legs. A few heads started to go down as try and try went amiss. However players continued to break though tackle after tackle to score. Great effort from Ethan, Andy and Fez. The final score was 9-7 to Stirling. The whole team impressed coaches from both sides. All players came away from today with aching bodies and a heart full of pride.

The step up from P5 to P6 is marked with the introduction of scrums, kicking and a big increase in pitch size and it was going to bring new challenges for the Lomond P6 team. It’s almost expected of this team to step up a level now, and they took all of this in their stride and played with their usual commitment and skill.
Lomond played West A, B and C teams then Stirling County A and B. All the games were fiercely contested and served warning for how good some of the other teams are going to be this season.
Some of the highlights of the day were a great team try where the ball was worked wide to Ross who ran in the last 20 metres, crashing through the last two tacklers to score the only try of the first match. A lung bursting defensive run from Gregor who chased down West’s winger in a 30 meter race for the line, only to dislodge the ball in the tackle and with a great cover defence from Lomond they secured the ball and ran it straight back at them. Some pointers at the end of the first game saw a marked improvement in Lomond’s rucking and that provided the platform and possession for some excellent tries from Callum, Cam, Ross and Gregor. Lomond finished with 3 wins and 2 draws. 1-0, 2-2, 2-1, 2-1 and 1-1. All in all it was a great day for the team.

Lomond P7 team faced two West of Scotland teams and a Stirling County team. With eight players, West of Scotland loaned us 3 players for each game, allowing us to make best use of the wide park with ten a side. The first West game was close, with some great tackling and rucking from Lomond. There were great passages of play from Lomond, and Lomond narrowly lost. With the second West game, the game was lost quickly with too many missed tackles and the Lomond team looking tired after a long summer break. Stirling County were the last opponents and this game was the best of the three, with Lomond finding energy from somewhere. Hotly contested, the game moved from end to end with some great passing, rucking and commitment from both teams. Lomond were narrowly defeated, but the sidelines were full of praise for a great game. Every Lomond player put in a shift and deserve praise for the huge effort they put in.

Training continues on Mondays from 6-7pm at the club. Lomond P1-7 players travel to Bishopbriggs on Sunday 11th September, to face Allan Glens.

New players are always needed at every age group. Please contact John for further details, 07802698841. Or search for loch Lomond Minis and Juniors on Facebook.