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Sat 28 Sep 2019 · Tennent's National League Division 21st XVStewart’s Melville
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Tough match for Reds against Stewart's Melville
Jo jo_mcgeoch@hotmail.com29 Sep 2019 - 22:45
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First loss of the season for Newton Stewart RFC
Newton Stewart RFC hosted Stewart’s Melville at Bladnoch Park last weekend, the first meeting between these two clubs and a great opportunity for the Reds to play one of Scotland’s most high-profile rugby clubs.
The game was fast-paced and physical from the get-go and it was Newton Stewart who had most of the early possession. Back row Alan Ferrie showed some great strength on the floor, driving forwards after the tackle to gain some extra yards.
A high ball went up from Newton Stewart and was knocked-on by the receiving player for Stewart’s Melville. The Reds pressurised from their resultant free kick but couldn’t find their way through to the visitor’s defences to score. An eventual missed pass from Newton Stewart gave Stu Mel an opportunity to counter and they quickly pushed the Reds back onto their try line.
There was a prolonged spell of brave defence from Newton Stewart, but the attack from the Stewart’s Melville forwards was relentless as they tried to batter their way over the line. Their first effort was held up by the Reds but the resultant play from a 5-metre scrum saw the visitors burst over to score a try under the posts. Their conversion was a miskick however and the score was 0-5.
Stewart’s Melville maintained good possession after the restart and Newton Stewart fiercely defended once more. Some superb tackles came in from hooker Thomas MacDonald and centre Liam Brawls. The Reds forced mistakes from their opponents and got some opportunities to attack, however they gave the ball away too readily at the set piece and piled more pressure on themselves as a result.
A great midfield battle followed: attack and counter-attack from both sides made for entertaining viewing. A superb break up the left wing from full-back Russell Morton gave Newton Stewart their closest chance of scoring in this half, but receiver Jamie Muir was forced into touch by the covering defence.
Reds’ captain Mark McCornick was the subject of a dangerous tackle moments later which resulted in a yellow card for the visitors and a penalty for Newton Stewart. Morton lined up to kick for the points, but unfortunately missed it wide, so the first half finished with Stewart’s Melville 0-5 ahead.
The second half began with the Reds threatening to score once again. They camped out close to the Stu Mel line and were awarded a penalty by the referee only 5 metres from the line. Choosing to take the ‘tap and go’ this time instead of kicking for points, they surged forwards once again, but the ball was lost and the momentum gone.
The visitors kicked their way back upfield and then utilised their dominant scrum to pressurise Newton Stewart. They scored a second try off as a result, this time converting also to put the Reds twelve points behind.
Hereafter the score remained unchanged. Newton Stewart dug deep and battled right to the last. They were forced to defend with all their mettle at times and did so valiantly.
Overall the Reds played well in this match, but they did struggle in the set piece and Stewart’s Melville pressurised them constantly at the breakdown, slowing everything down and giving them no easy ball to attack with.
Thomas MacDonald impressed in defence, whilst Russell Morton looked dangerous with the ball in hand again this week. Robert Service collected a high ball under pressure with an incredible leap which saw him colliding in the air with his opposite man. He came away with the ball and found his feet too in what was an impressive athletic feat!
Craig Wilson Ltd Man of the Match though was Mark McCornick. His work rate was sensational both in both attack and defence – his effort for his team unquestionable.
Next weekend the Reds will travel to Glasgow to play GHK in what will no doubt be another difficult fixture against a team who have had a strong start to the season.
Team: Russell Morton, Robert Service, Liam Brawls, Calum Gaw, Jamie Muir, David Gaw, Robbie McCornick, Ross Campbell, Thomas MacDonald, Ronan McDonald, James McMiken, Mark Craig, Alan Ferrie, Mark McCornick (capt), Jason McKie. Subs: James Wallace, David Adams, Robbie Firth, Euan Dewar.
**There will be an ‘all you can eat’ Rugby World Cup brunch on offer in the clubhouse at Bladnoch Park on Sunday 13th October whilst Scotland v Japan is shown on the big screen. Adults £10, children £5. All welcome!**
The game was fast-paced and physical from the get-go and it was Newton Stewart who had most of the early possession. Back row Alan Ferrie showed some great strength on the floor, driving forwards after the tackle to gain some extra yards.
A high ball went up from Newton Stewart and was knocked-on by the receiving player for Stewart’s Melville. The Reds pressurised from their resultant free kick but couldn’t find their way through to the visitor’s defences to score. An eventual missed pass from Newton Stewart gave Stu Mel an opportunity to counter and they quickly pushed the Reds back onto their try line.
There was a prolonged spell of brave defence from Newton Stewart, but the attack from the Stewart’s Melville forwards was relentless as they tried to batter their way over the line. Their first effort was held up by the Reds but the resultant play from a 5-metre scrum saw the visitors burst over to score a try under the posts. Their conversion was a miskick however and the score was 0-5.
Stewart’s Melville maintained good possession after the restart and Newton Stewart fiercely defended once more. Some superb tackles came in from hooker Thomas MacDonald and centre Liam Brawls. The Reds forced mistakes from their opponents and got some opportunities to attack, however they gave the ball away too readily at the set piece and piled more pressure on themselves as a result.
A great midfield battle followed: attack and counter-attack from both sides made for entertaining viewing. A superb break up the left wing from full-back Russell Morton gave Newton Stewart their closest chance of scoring in this half, but receiver Jamie Muir was forced into touch by the covering defence.
Reds’ captain Mark McCornick was the subject of a dangerous tackle moments later which resulted in a yellow card for the visitors and a penalty for Newton Stewart. Morton lined up to kick for the points, but unfortunately missed it wide, so the first half finished with Stewart’s Melville 0-5 ahead.
The second half began with the Reds threatening to score once again. They camped out close to the Stu Mel line and were awarded a penalty by the referee only 5 metres from the line. Choosing to take the ‘tap and go’ this time instead of kicking for points, they surged forwards once again, but the ball was lost and the momentum gone.
The visitors kicked their way back upfield and then utilised their dominant scrum to pressurise Newton Stewart. They scored a second try off as a result, this time converting also to put the Reds twelve points behind.
Hereafter the score remained unchanged. Newton Stewart dug deep and battled right to the last. They were forced to defend with all their mettle at times and did so valiantly.
Overall the Reds played well in this match, but they did struggle in the set piece and Stewart’s Melville pressurised them constantly at the breakdown, slowing everything down and giving them no easy ball to attack with.
Thomas MacDonald impressed in defence, whilst Russell Morton looked dangerous with the ball in hand again this week. Robert Service collected a high ball under pressure with an incredible leap which saw him colliding in the air with his opposite man. He came away with the ball and found his feet too in what was an impressive athletic feat!
Craig Wilson Ltd Man of the Match though was Mark McCornick. His work rate was sensational both in both attack and defence – his effort for his team unquestionable.
Next weekend the Reds will travel to Glasgow to play GHK in what will no doubt be another difficult fixture against a team who have had a strong start to the season.
Team: Russell Morton, Robert Service, Liam Brawls, Calum Gaw, Jamie Muir, David Gaw, Robbie McCornick, Ross Campbell, Thomas MacDonald, Ronan McDonald, James McMiken, Mark Craig, Alan Ferrie, Mark McCornick (capt), Jason McKie. Subs: James Wallace, David Adams, Robbie Firth, Euan Dewar.
**There will be an ‘all you can eat’ Rugby World Cup brunch on offer in the clubhouse at Bladnoch Park on Sunday 13th October whilst Scotland v Japan is shown on the big screen. Adults £10, children £5. All welcome!**
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