In a game tipped to be the biggest of the season, the two teams battled hard to come out on top at a very wet Glencruitten Park.

Oban started the game knowing that anything less than a win could mean the end of their promotion bid. With several first team players missing, including Chris “Puffy” McDonald and the Smith twins, the home team would require an error-free performance.

The visitors came into the game at the top of the league, after notching up some high-scoring wins against strong teams in the league. With their confidence high, they started the game facing away from the clubhouse.

Loch Lomond started strong, buoyed by some strong running from their forwards. They soon pushed into the Oban half and were awarded a penalty on three minutes from a kickable field position. The home crowd gasped a sigh of relief as the kick sailed wide left of the posts.

The following ten minutes of the game brought some back-and-forth rugby. Debutant Ruaridh Aitken impressed in the back line with some good handling and accurate passes. The former Mid-Argyll ace settled well into his new team and enjoyed testing the Loch Lomond line.

Disaster struck mid-way through the first half, as Loch Lomond took advantage of some missed tackles to power towards the Oban try-line. Despite some powerful defensive tackling from “Mr. Beast” Andy MacDougall, the Lomond loosehead prop managed to force the ball over the line. A successful conversion later, and the visitors were 7-0 up.

Soon after, prolific scoring Oban fly-half, Craig Wright sustained an injury, which forced him off the pitch. Taking his place was veteran Billy Thomson. The former Glasgow Academicals rolled back the years as he took to the field to great applause from the longer-serving Green Machine fans. Thomson showed no signs of nerves as his cultured boot went the work, kicking with pinpoint accuracy to gain territory.

Despite some positive forward play, Oban found themselves two tries down shortly after. A speculative kick from the Loch Lomond centre took a good bounce down the left wing, and the league leaders ran in near the posts. Another well-taken kick left The Green Machine chasing a fourteen point lead.

The rain began to pour down heavily as Oban Lorne continued to fight hard for possession. The versatile Ryan Jackson, playing at full back kept the pressure off with some excellent clearance kicking and bone-shuddering tackling in the back line. The Napier Uni student was to prove just how adaptable he is later in the game, switching to Hooker in the second half.

Ten minutes before the end of the first half, Oban’s hard work paid off, winning a penalty just inside their opponent’s 22 metre-line. Despite some calls for the home team to kick for the three points, the decision was made to tap and go. Unfortunately, the ball was turned over shortly after, the referee penalising The Green Machine for holding onto the ball on the ground.

It was clear that Loch Lomond were now on the back foot, making mistakes and missing tackles as the resurgent Green Machine drove forward. Oban’s impressive maul made a huge impact, driving the vistors’ defensive line back. Just as the half was ending, Corrie Louw smashed over the line for the home team’s first try of the game. The South African powerhouse let out a roar as he brought Oban back into the game. The conversion sailed wide, but the score allowed the home team to finish the first half with the momentum.

At half time, Team Manager, Darrell Williams could be heard motivating his players to keep going from the restart. At 14-5 down, it was essential that The Green Machine attacked the game. The team responded to the Welsh Wizard’s motivational speech soon into the second half. A dominating performance from the forwards turned the ball over in Loch Lomond’s half and some quick ball distribution from scrum-half, Fergus Matheson made some space for Neil Rimmer to force the ball down for the second try of the game. Another missed conversion left the score at 14-10 to Loch Lomond.

Jamie “Jambo” MacMillan, showed why he was worthy of his second man of the match award this season with a display of textbook lineout technique, winning the ball with vicious regularity from the away team’s line-outs. The former Glasgow Hawk owned the airspace above the line, keeping Oban on the front foot constantly.

Tempers began to flare as both teams gave everything they had to secure the win, with the referee’s whistle becoming a prominent feature. Loch Lomond were soon to feel the wrath of the match official, as their stand-off was sent to the sin bin for repeated offences at the breakdown. With an extra man, The Green Machine could see the lead in their sights. As the crowds on the sideline became more and more animated, it was time for “Captain Fantastic” Robin MacQueen to lead his team forward. The tight head prop smashed through the defensive line and forced the ball down to give Oban the lead for the first time in the game. Another near-missed conversion in difficult conditions made it 15-14 to the home team.

As the game progressed, Loch Lomond showed why they had secured the top spot in the league, running hard and putting pressure on the deep Oban line. They were rewarded for their efforts with around 15 minutes to go in the game when they were awarded a penalty for an infringement at the breakdown. With a cool head, their kicker managed to slot the ball home accurately to regain the lead by two points.

The mood was tense as time began to run out in the game. It became a battle of wills as much as it was a physical contest. Neither team wanted to give anything away and it would take a moment of ice-cool composure to seal the game. Returning to the game after his early injury, Craig Wright took a deep breath, stepped up and sent the ball between the posts like a bullet as the final whistle sounded. The kick sealed a 18-17 win for Oban Lorne.

There were scenes of jubilation from the fans and players as the men in green celebrated a huge win over the league leaders. Head Coach, Corrie Louw summed up the feeling:

“There is no better feeling than this. We made it hard for ourselves but we came from behind twice to win. The boys showed their mental and physical strength today.”

The win brings Oban Lorne right back into the competition for promotion, with a game in hand above the teams above them. Next week, The Green Machine are in action in the National Bowl competition away to Birkmyre. Follow us on twitter for live score updates @obanlorne or visit our website www.pitchero.com/clubs/obanlorne.