WHITECRAIGS RUGBY CLUB

Trailing by 13 points at the break after a dominant display by visitors Hillhead/Jordanhill, it was looking bleak for the West Lodge side.
But with 19 unanswered points, Craigs managed to wrestle the game from their close rivals – and bagged a bonus point into the bargain.
In the opening exchanges a strong Nicky Blamire burst gave Ryan Moffat a shot at a long range penalty, but the effort drifted wide.
Craigs were made to rue this missed opportunity when the impressive Hills kicker was on target minutes later to open the visitors’ account for the day.
The teams then exchanged quick-fire tries, with Moffat bursting through the close defence to score before the speedy Hills prop raced down the touchline to put the visitors one point ahead.
As half-time approached it was Hills who were producing some fantastic phases of play, putting the hosts on the back foot at every opportunity.
And when Hills added two more tries to their tally it was no more than was deserved, to leave them leading 7-20 at the interval.
After some stern words from interim coach Jim Henderson, the Craigs players started the second half with gusto.
Impressive breaks from second rows Jamie Howarth and Ross Macdonald were a sign of a renewed attitude from the home side and it wasn’t long before the breakthrough came.
A sweeping backs move got Craigs into the danger zone and after a series of strong forward surges Macdonald crashed over from close range.
With Craigs in the ascendency, roared on by the passionate support, Macdonald showed his strength again in the 50th minute when he brushed aside countless defenders to go under the posts.
Only one point now separated the sides and as the game reached the crucial final quarter there only looked like one winner.
But as Craigs pushed for the all-important try, a horrific head injury to New Zealander Steffan Phillips forced a 20 minute stoppage to allow paramedics to attend.
Fortunately Phillips was able to walk from the pitch, and his team mates wasted no time in adding the winning score.
Howarth got in behind the Hills defence and the visitors never recovered to defend the attack.
Fabulous interplay between Ally Stevenson and Craig Percival put the centre between the posts to complete the comeback.
Moffat had a chance to rub salt into the wound by adding a penalty with the final kick of the game, which would have denied Hills a losing bonus point.
The midfielder’s kick drifted wide though and the match finished 26-20.
On Friday night Craigs take on Glasgow Hawks at Old Anniesland in the semi-final of the RBS West Regional Cup (kick-off 8pm).
Team: Laidlaw, Christine, Campbell, Macdonald, Howarth, N Blamire, B Blamire, Pollock, Henderson, Stevenson, Johnston, Moffat, Corbett, Fisher, Phillips. Subs: Nisbet, Rogers, Hunter, Percival.