First loss of the season for Newton Stewart RFC!

Newton Stewart RFC made the long journey up to Aberdeen last weekend to face Gordonians RFC, a side who have started the season well and promised a tough game.
The Reds looked dangerous from the outset, with the early minutes seeing fullback Jamie Muir making a superb break up the left wing. The home defences were poised however and were able to contain the attack.
With Gordonians now in possession it was Newton Stewart’s turn to look lively in defence, and they did exactly that, turning over the ball immediately and countering quickly.
Scrum-half Jack Gaw produced a clever little kick up the right wing to give the Reds a line-out in a good position deep within their opponent’s half. With this platform Newton Stewart now began a long spell of attack through many phases, with their ball retention much improved on recent weeks. Centre Fraser Morton made an excellent break, and prop Ronan MacDonald carried well, however the opportunity came to nothing when the Reds were pinged by the referee for holding on.
Gordonians kicked for territory now and found touch only 5 metres from the Newton Stewart try line. The hosts tried to set up a rolling maul from their line out, however the Reds did not compete and the end result was a scrum for Newton Stewart. As the pack came under pressure from Gordonians, the ball popped out the side of the scrum and went loose. Some quick reactions, and a lucky bounce, followed and the Reds could only watch as the opposition scrum-half scurried over the line to score the opening try with 15 minutes played. The conversion kick was missed.
Newton Stewart’s first real defensive test followed shortly after when Gordonians maintained some possession and demonstrated some strong running. Good tackles came from stand-off Robbie McCornick and winger David Adams, before the opposition centre burst through the game line and ran for glory. Thankfully winger Liam Brawls has impressive pace and chased down the breakaway runner before making a textbook tackle to nullify the move. Centre Calum Gaw turned over the ball shortly after to put the Reds back in control.
With half an hour played Calum Gaw was back in action, this time breaking up the right wing and stepping his opposite man beautifully to make some important ground. The ball was then passed across the line to Adams who pushed on up the left wing now, agonisingly close to the line, before offloading back inside to Jamie Muir to touch the ball down to score. Fraser Morton’s conversion kick narrowly missed and the scores were even at 5-5.
The restart saw an unfortunate handling error from the Reds and Gordonians were gifted a penalty kick, which they took, to re-establish a lead at 8-5.
The last ten minutes of the first half was mixed in possession, but finished out with Newton Stewart staunchly defending their try line. Some solid defensive work once again from the Reds meant there was no way through for the home side and the referee blew his whistle for the break.
The second half began much as the first half had done, with the Reds attacking the Gordonians’ line. Their possession was prolonged and their phases many, but they simply could not find a way through to the line.
This proved to be the over-riding story of the second half. Newton Stewart got close to the try line on numerous occasions, they kept possession well and maintained the pressure, but credit where it’s due, Gordonians defence was impressive. They held firm for the entire second half, repeatedly pushing the Reds back toward the halfway line and maintaining their structure and composure.
The pace of the game was high and the pressure intense. Back row James Wallace made a real nuisance of himself, running well off the back of the scrums, but he too was kept in check by the home side.
Just five minutes from the end the Reds were awarded a penalty for an offside offence by Gordonians. An error of judgement followed – Newton Stewart choosing to take the ‘tap and go’ rather than kick for the three points which would have earned them a draw.
A huge cheer came up from the home supporters on the full-time whistle as there was definitely a feeling that they had ‘survived’ the onslaught from the Reds.
Both teams played well in this match and although Newton Stewart will be disappointed with the loss, they can take heart from having been beaten by a deserving side, and from having played some of their best rugby this season during the game.
Strong performances came from centre Calum Gaw and winger David Adams, both of whom were notable both in attack and defence. Man of the Match though is James Wallace who led the forwards charge with repeated carries, especially off the back of the scrum.
This loss sees the Reds slide down to third place in the league. They take a losing bonus point home from this game, but will be looking for a win next weekend when they host Murrayfield Wanderers at Bladnoch Park to keep them in the mix at the top of the table.

Team: Jamie Muir, David Adams, Calum Gaw, Fraser Morton, Liam Brawls, Robbie McCornick, Jack Gaw, Ross Campbell, Thomas MacDonald, Ronan McDonald, Alan Ferrie, William McCornick, Jason McKie, Mark McCornick (capt), James Wallace. Subs: Robert Service, Martin Wallace, David Gaw, James McMiken.